Do you recognize these symptoms?

[JessieV]

Hi! I have a weird question. I have never been diagnosed with an ASD but I relate to some of the symptoms, and I’m wondering if I do have one. However, I am very good with social cues and interacting with people so my understanding is that would disqualify me from having one. Is that correct?

The thing is... I have very rigid thinking. I also struggle to understand abstract concepts and apply them in a broader way. For instance, if my boss tells me to rewrite something in a more persuasive manner, I might not have any idea how to do that until I’m given explicit examples and walked through what that means and what it should look like. I don’t catch on to things like that like other people do. Also when I was a kid, I remember having some sensory preferences like I had to have my shoes tied super tight and my ponytail just right. But overall, it seems so minor compared to many people. But I am struggling to keep my job because I’m not catching on quickly enough and not able to keep up with the work load. This is partially due to my OCD but I feel like something else is going on as well. I guess I’m just wondering if there is any chance anyone recognizes what some of this might be if not an Asperger’s issue. I’d love any insight. Thank you!

[Clarrisa]

I can share what I learned over the years. It may or may not be of any help to you. I was not diagnosed as a child. A therapist diagnosed me over time, & even then I was thought to have Aspergers. I went for a second opinion & they agreed. It can be difficult for even a well trained therapist to diagnosis a adult.

I found work difficult too so I hired & worked with a tutor who specialized in working with people such as myself. I also found joining a specialty organization in my line of work helpful. Therapy helped too.

When work stress was greatest I did the Alexander Technique & acupuncture off & on. It all comes at a price. I ended up having to leave my job but was able to qualify for early retirement.

I was able to line up a better line of work one month later. As hard as it was to leave at the time it greatly broadened my work experience moving on.

There was a Aspergers work support group when I was working but it was many miles away. Maybe just maybe because of the pandemic & things being on Zoom you might have luck locating a work support group online. It would be worth searching for.

My stepmother use to have a cartoon on her refrigerator that showed a convention for normal people. Only a few “normal” participants were seated in the audience (empty convention hall). There is some true to it you’ll find as you interact with your coworkers!

[PearCider]

From what you say, it's unlikely that you have ASD (Asperger's in old money).

ASD is a complicated diagnosis to make, that really requires a trained psychologist. It's a bit like doing the football pools - there are groups of possible symptoms, and you have to get a certain number of hits in enough groups to get diagnosed with it. See cdc.gov/ncbddd/autism/hcp-d.... You need all of group A, plus at least two of the four from group B. From what you're saying it sounds as if you'd have enough in group B, but not in group A. You'll notice from the list that social interaction issues are a show-stopper. If you don't have them, you don't have ASD.

OCD has its own list - see ocduk.org/ocd/clinical-clas.... This time you need the whole lot, but it sounds to be a better fit for your symptoms.

If you're convinced you have something else they haven't diagnosed yet, which is possible because some of these mental/processing issues do occur together, I suggest go back to your family doctor and ask if they can check. For a list of other conditions that commonly occur with OCD, see beyondocd.org/ocd-facts/rel....

[Clogger]

Hi, this is a bit late Jessie, but I also thought the same. I went to the GP and mentioned that I wasn't sure that I was on the spectrum because I "don't go around insulting people, I have social skills, know when to listen and when to talk etc". The enlightened GP replied that my social skills could have been learnt over the years, and not inherent. When I was assessed the psychologist noted that, whilst I appeared bubbly and confident and was able to demonstrate reciprocal conversation skills, it was evident that I did struggle with many aspects of social communication, understanding, using correct facial expressions etc.

I remember sensory stuff from childhood more than anything else. I can't recall my 'best friend' from primary school but remember the itchy green cubes for sitting on in Primary 1, the scratchy woollen cardigan I had to wear, the horrible feel of the school blouse when it was too warm to wear a vest underneath, and the lovely feel of my favourite outfit, a soft corduroy skirt and jacket.

I wouldn't rule it out based on what you have said. We all have a spiky profile.

🙂