Girl Diagnoses Herself With Autism

re: Girl Diagnoses Herself With Autism

Lynn — Sat, 22 Nov 2008 19:45:51 GMT

My husband was diagnosed with Asperger's at the age of 34, after years of struggling socially and dealing with the resulting depression.

While I agree with Em on some points, I don't feel that saying he's autistic or slightly autistic is bad, and explaining it as such gives the people around him some relief and context when they would otherwise think he's just being intentionally rude, obnoxious, insensitive, or overly technical.

We, along with his family and friends, were shocked but also relieved to finally make sense of why he "wasn't like everyone else". The fact that his condition may be mild compared to others doesn't diminish his daily struggles.

re: Girl Diagnoses Herself With Autism

Em — Fri, 21 Nov 2008 21:55:15 GMT

This is a great, uplifting story.

However, you say it just goes to show that "autism can't be painted with a broad brush." However, your headline goes against that.

Asperger syndrome is an autism spectrum disorder, but it is not "autism." Calling Asperger's "autism" is like calling someone who is 10 pounds overweight "obese."

As someone who is married to someone with Asperger's, I am tired of seeing Asperger's called "autism." I think it paints a very inaccurate (and even offensive) view of this disorder. It is what makes it very, very difficult for my husband to be able to tell people (employers, friends, etc.) that he has Asperger's.