Holy moley, what a great insight to the world of Asperger's.

[Redstone]

I'd heard of it, but hadn't known much about it until I read this, courtesy of the CNN website:

http://www.cnn.com/2008/HEALTH/conditions/03/28/autism.essay/index.html

Much to learn at that article.

Redstone

[LWolf]

1. I'm familiar with Asberger's because

of my work with Aspie students. A greater understanding in the general population is a good thing.

[Warpy]

2. Thanks!

The article confirmed that I'm just a garden variety introvert, like the unfortunate 25% of the population that isn't understood at all by the gregarious 75%.

The difference is that I can and do get the joke, pick up on the emotional cues, know the difference between strangers and objects.

Ah, unfashionable to the end...

[Wickerman]

3. Excellent

thanks!

[laststeamtrain]

4. Here's an article about AS I found informative & helpful from...

The New Yorker: http://www.newyorker.com/reporting/2007/08/20/070820fa_fact_page?currentPage=all

PS: If you'd ever like to discuss the Thirty Years War or Italian gothic horror films of the late '50s/early'60s let me know.

[madmom]

5. WOW, have to check into this more, sounds alot like my daughter.

[goodgd_yall]

9. Make sure it's not just poor socialization skills

or some psychological disorder before jumping to conclusions. I find myself fitting some of the characterizations of Asperger's, but I'm not and I've outgrown some of the characteristics through years of therapy and self-help.

[Snarkturian Clone]

6. I can't see the article because it's blocked at my job,

but I'll tell you that I've dealt with aspergers' (which I call Ass burgers) my whole life and I've found that the primary challenge with the burgers' is assimilating to the regular people's ways. Of course, I didn't know I had the burgers' til about 3 years ago, I just thought I had "weird".

I work at a school now and we have about 6 burgers, only one of which is a severe case. Two of the others used to be severe cases but have adapted. My work does not know I have aspergers' and if they found out they would treat me differently, so they shall never know.

As a person with the burgers' I have to say that I've started to resent the label of aspergers' as a handicap. Unless one has a very severe case it is a matter of taking control of yourself at times and adapting... this took me many years but I eventually figured it out for the most part.

[MsKandice01]

7. My son is an Aspie...

And we've just started working with a therapist. Thanks for posting this, Redstone.

[roughsatori]

8. Thank you for posting a link to an incredible account of living with Asperger's

It would make a great hand-out when teaching students about people who are living with Asperger's.

I emailed it to a friend's wife (my friend is in treatment for his Asperger's). Your link leads to an essay of a Hyman's account of living with Asperger's should. The essay should be required reading in college writing courses.

Heidegger's philosophical writings on "otherness," always inspire me. Reading your linked essay and thinking of Heidegger and Foucault's words on "otherness" provided me much fun and thought.

"Asperger's: My life as an Earthbound alien," how could I not love that title? Last night a couple of us discussed Asperger's here at DU; LINK: http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=221&topic_id=69539&mesg_id=69539 The discussion was a sub-thread.

Thanks again for the inspiring article. Rough Satori