What level of autism do you have? And how do you cope with autism?

[amor.dor]

I recently discovered that I've been autistic all this time and I'm trying to learn more about it; I want to know more.

 

[Macedonian1987]

I have Asperger's. Because of this form of autism, i was always avoided by all people like i had the plague, called a weirdo, never had a true friend, nor a real relationship with a woman. I was totally alone for 38 years of my life. Then chronic pain came few years ago and I just cannot endure the pain+loneliness anymore. I will probably end it this year.

Also if all of this wasn't enough. My parents are so cold and never comfort me when I'm sad. In fact they twist things and make me feel like somehow I'm at fault for my depression and chronic pain.

 

[Always-in-trouble]

Level 1 (not actually sure, I don't think in the UK you are told if you are a certain level), but I am so socially inept times I shut down and try to think of anything else other than conversation. Large bouts of stimming also.

I have asperger's. Because of this form of autism, i was always avoided by all people like i had the plague, called a weirdo, never had a true friend, nor a real relationship with a woman. I was totally alone for 38 years of my life. Then chronic pain came few years ago and I just cannot endure the pain+loneliness anymore. I will probably end it this year.

Pretty hard to combat preconceptions about our conditions and gain people's trust...

 

[NormallyNeurotic]

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[UserFromNowhere]

Level one. No intellectual impairment but I'm constantly moving or picking at my skin/nails/hair to try and relieve stress, I suppose. It makes it difficult to deal with others because you're constantly having to figure out how they're going to react and never quite know the right words to say. The words that do encapsulate what you're thinking or allow you to help. Just feels like constantly faking and pretending like you know what's going on when the reality is you've just been masking and coping for so long you don't know what else to do. And then you get into cases where you're expected not to do things, like not wear headphones at work, so you can be attentive, when it's the only thing that helps with the constant mental pain.

 

[shiny_quill]

There aren't really "levels" to autism, it's a spectrum, and someone you might consider to be high functioning might struggle more with certain things than someone you consider low functioning, it really depends. I personally struggle most with social interactions and certain figures of speech, and the least with personal body language, but that's because I took acting classes and am good at masking, but I refuse to call myself Asperger because the man was literally a nazi and because rigid categories never make any sense.

I think it's usually best if you don't try to think of yourself as having "Asperger" or "savant syndrome" or anything like that but just observe where you struggle most and might need help if that makes sense?

 

[DonLockwood]

I have Aspergers and ADHD. It's not something that I would say that I am proud to have. But I cannot recall a time in my life where it has been a benefit or a source of pride. I've been treated as an outsider and have very few people I would consider as my 'close friends'. But I acknowledge the fact that I am on the spectrum. In regards to coping with it, there is a high level of masking that I try to do all the time. With little success...

 

[amor.dor]

Level one. No intellectual impairment but I'm constantly moving or picking at my skin/nails/hair to try and relieve stress, I suppose. It makes it difficult to deal with others because you're constantly having to figure out how they're going to react and never quite know the right words to say. The words that do encapsulate what you're thinking or allow you to help. Just feels like constantly faking and pretending like you know what's going on when the reality is you've just been masking and coping for so long you don't know what else to do. And then you get into cases where you're expected not to do things, like not wear headphones at work, so you can be attentive, when it's the only thing that helps with the constant mental pain.

I feel the same way as you, I'm also level 1, what bothers me the most is how easily I daydream.

 

[itsgone2]

I don't know. I'm not officially diagnosed but have all the social awkwardness and just have never known what to do. Interesting @Macedonian1987 commented because when he first mentioned having Asperger's and I looked into it. I would just say I knowI have all those symptoms. It's awful.

 

[NormallyNeurotic]

There aren't really "levels" to autism, it's a spectrum, and someone you might consider to be high functioning might struggle more with certain things than someone you consider low functioning, it really depends.

The levels they are referring to are from the DSM-5-TR, and are not the same as functioning levels! They focus more on needs/support as you can see.



While the wording of "severity" is less than ideal, this chart has helped more than it has hurt as it was the beginning of centering our support needs. Autistic advocates actually had a hand in penning much of the information on autism in this section of the DSM!

I think it's usually best if you don't try to think of yourself as having "Asperger" or "savant syndrome" or anything like that but just observe where you struggle most and might need help if that makes sense?

Also, Savant Syndrome is something completely seperate from autism, it's just that movies like Rain Man connected the two ideas. Allistic people can absolutely be a savant.

I feel the same way as you, I'm also level 1, what bothers me the most is how easily I daydream.

Literally. My maladaptive daydreaming is Hell, and genuinely led (in part) to my complex dissociative disorder.

 

[Macedonian1987]

I don't know. I'm not officially diagnosed but have all the social awkwardness and just have never known what to do. Interesting @Macedonian1987 commented because when he first mentioned having Asperger's and I looked into it. I would just say I knowI have all those symptoms. It's awful.

I know how awful and life-destroying Asperger's can be. It sucks to be avoided by all people even though you are a good person, and it massively sucks to be hated and uncomforted by your own biological parents because of it. Even my own biological brother calls me a weirdo.
This life, this world was never meant for me. I'm also much too sensitive to pain, too emotional and I cannot stand injustice.

 

[shiny_quill]

The levels they are referring to are from the DSM-5-TR, and are not the same as functioning levels! They focus more on needs/support as you can see.

View attachment 196143

While the wording of "severity" is less than ideal, this chart has helped more than it has hurt as it was the beginning of centering our support needs. Autistic advocates actually had a hand in penning much of the information on autism in this section of the DSM!

While it might be true, it's inflexible and not representative of reality. I'm west European, and here, we basically don't use it at all, because someone could be both a level 1 and 3; you could have someone who has difficulties initiating social interactions and is completely unable to cope with change, and will show signs of great distress if forced to change focus, it's not clear cut, which is what I meant by "rigid categories never make sense". Even on my official diagnosis, there's no mention of "level", it just mentions where my struggles were most noticeable during interviews and possible accomodations, and I don't know if that's the case everywhere but I assume most places go about it this way as well? At least I hope so, as that seems to makes the most sense with the current notion of ASD.

 

[Untoten_]

I recently discovered that I've been autistic all this time and I'm trying to learn more about it; I want to know more.

Enough to stim slightly when excited. I just lock myself away. I can't be bothered with having to explain to others.

 

[itsgone2]

This life, this world was never meant for me. I'm also much too sensitive to pain, too emotional and I cannot stand injustice

No. I wasn't meant for it either. I go into a rage when I perceive an injustice. I was usually raging over things that didn't really matter. But I know what you mean. One of many stupid behaviors that led to losing the people around me. A social misfit that found some areas to belong but completely ruined them, that's a large part of my legacy. What a waste.

 

[Leonard_Bangley39]

I have Asperger's and i SH on both arms. I wish i could change.

 

[amor.dor]

I have Asperger's and i SH on both arms. I wish i could change.

I'm sorry,I've had problems with SH in the past, I hope you can improve.

 

[Hollowman]

There's a site called Wrongplanet that might be useful.

 

[Macedonian1987]

I forgot to tell you all that there is a community of high functioning autistic people in my neighborhood, but sadly even they didn't accepted me in their community. While I was hanging around with them, I was always the one to initiate the first contact, so one day I stopped calling them. 3 years have passed and I got not a single call from any of them.

 

[Pluto]

 

[kuroshimi]

I am not diagnosed, but I am very interested in this, because I have some symptoms and one of my friends actually diagnosed with autism.

I have all that social awkwardness and feeling that I don't fit in. Echolalia, picky eating, all that stuff.

Also, I thought Asperger's not a thing anymore and it's called ASD now? Although it's still in ICD-10 and some countries use it. Not sure about DSM, though

 

[amor.dor]

I am not diagnosed, but I am very interested in this, because I have some symptoms and one of my friends actually diagnosed with autism.

I have all that social awkwardness and feeling that I don't fit in. Echolalia, picky eating, all that stuff.

Also, I thought Asperger's not a thing anymore and it's called ASD now? Although it's still in ICD-10 though and some countries use it. Not sure about DSM, though

View attachment 196152

I already had suspicions, but I went to a psychiatrist and psychologist who were able to notice that my ADHD masked the autism quite well, but my mother had Asperger's, and that further confirmed the autism. So, if you suspect or strongly identify with it, that's already a sign.