Hi - I underwent neuropsychological evaluation three weeks ago and just got the results back. The doctor diagnosed me with Asperger's Disorder, moderate ADHD combined type, and dysthymia. I sortof knew about the second two, but I'm really reeling from the AS diagnosis and I could use some knowledgeable, sympathetic ears. 

I'm reading a book called Aspergirls, and I've done a little bit of searching online for more information. What else do you recommend that I do? 

I am the mother of an 8 year old girl on the spectrum. My husband and father in law are also on the spectrum and I am learning the ropes of those on the spectrum and am very new to sharing as opposed to just dealing. 

So.....lately something has been bothering me. I am taking ASL classes to become fluent in ASL (I really prefer to sign) I find it is naturally the way my brain works and I am able to get out things clearer than with speaking orally. Anyway, in one of my classes I was in a study session with a woman in my class probably close to my age- I'm 30 and I think she is about 27ish. We are both queer. I felt fairly safe with her and I told her I was autistic. It's not a secret that I hide or anything, but I also don't just blurt it out to anyone. I usually save that kind of disclosure for friends or people I think I may become friends with. I also do it for educational purposes, but in this case it just sorta came out. She is a nurse who works at a deaf school so she is taking ASL to get more fluent. As soon as I said that to her she acted shocked (like just about everyone does). I still can't figure out what they expect. Like do they expect some kind of robot or something? I'm a very expressive person. Anyway, the next thing that came out of her mouth was (she didn't even bother signing it) "I wouldn't mind having a deaf child, but I wouldn't want an autistic child".

Well, saw that this was the "Greetings" forum and thought I'd better introduce myself.

I'm Canadian; I grew up in Toronto, Ontario, and have been living in St. John's, NL, for the last two years. I've known that I have Asperger's / ASD for a few years now - since around 2002 / 2003 - but I was only officially diagnosed last March. (I went for an official diagnosis so that I could gain access to services for assistance, because I have some trouble with aspects of daily living. Note to fellow Canadians: You are eligible for the Disability Tax Credit, and thus the RDSP, if you're ASD - you just have to have your doctor word the application form properly. If you need assistance with that, please feel free to contact me!)

Hi there. My son was diagnosed with AS in the fall, he is 5. I think both my husband and I share shadowings (or more) of AS. But since I'm 39 I don't know if it is worth going for a diagnosis. I've done a couple online tests and the results all come back as Aspie traits. But when I tell my mother, sister and husband they all tell me "no doctor would say you have Aspergers". So I am very frustrated.

I have always felt different. I am awkward and I guess weirdish. But I am not a savant, nor do I think I have any special skills or obvious obsessions.

I used to be really into vampires, and I read "Interview with a Vampire" over and over and over and over. And other vampire novels. But I didn't and don't monologue about that or only talk about that.

I used to watch "Titanic" and eat mac n cheese (Lipton's Sidekick cheddar sour cream flavour only) over and over, but is that an obsession? I read another book over and over and over "Jackaroo" by Cynthia Voight.

When we first got her tentative diagnosis, I bought both my daugher and myself ASAN-supporting Neurodiversity t-shirts.  When I picked her up today, I told her about her Regency Center diagnosis.  She got out her Neurodiversity t-shirt, and then brought me mine.  We spent some time bouncing around the living room in our shirts, chanting "We are not a puzzle!  We are not broken!  We are autistic!"

It was so cool.

http://waxpaperpark.blogspot.com/

Wax Paper Park is my effort to break my own cycles of perfectionism and fear.  I post my poetry, both new and old, 3ish times a week and then push it to facebook and twitter.  I want to be a writer but am scared to have people read what I write - this is my effort to start growing out of that fear and into who I really want to be.

http://motivatica.blogspot.com/

This blog is about my quest for motivation and organization.  It has been a long road and I am currently talking about the inventory process and what it has meant to my children.  

I hope that any of you find either of these interesting and/or helpful... thank you and I am psyched to be a new member of this network!

The Autistic Self Advocacy Network is now accepting applications for the 2013 Summer Leadership Academy!  This will be the second year of the Autism Campus Inclusion (ACI) project.  The ACI summer leadership training prepares Autistic students to create systems change on their college campuses. Each participant will learn valuable skills in community organizing, creating policy goals and activism. Applicants must be current college students with at least one year remaining before graduation.

The training will take place in Washington, DC, June 9 to June 15, 2013. All expenses for the training are covered by ASAN, including travel, lodging and food.  To learn more, visit ASAN's website to read the announcement:

http://autisticadvocacy.org/2013/01/asan-is-now-accepting-applications-f...

My son enjoyed Naruto books when he was in high school. Not so interested in them now that he's away at college, but he still likes anime and manga.

Any Naruto fans here?

I'm the mother of a recently diagnosed Aspie daughter, which has increased the probability of being an Aspie myself to nearly certain.  I'm now working towards creating the supports needed so that my daughter doesn't have to go through as many of the struggles I did, as well as having the tools she needs to be sucessful.