Wednesday, December 05, 2007

Asperger's Syndrome and me: an excuse for everything!

I read this in the NY Times yesterday about Asperger's Syndrome, and decided it would be convenient to diagnose myself and say I have it. It is obviously the latest hip and cool syndrome, and I wanna piece of that, I am going to jump on that band wagon. As the article tells us, aspies 'often have normal or above-average intelligence' but 'have trouble making friends and lack the intuitive ability to gauge social situations. They fail to make eye contact and often exhibit a single-minded fixation that can be both bizarre and brilliant.'

People who know me would agree that I am bizarre and brilliant. I do not make friends easily, never leave the house, never look people in the eye, basically I am a mess. Unless I give in to it: I have Asperger's Syndrome. Then I can avoid people and parties and hang out with my pets and never feel guilty.

(note: I have met people diagnosed with Asperger's Syndrome and realize that they have a problem or problems that I do not have. But if a person is shy and awkward and monastic, as I am, perhaps they have the tiniest slice of this condition)

19 comments:

Anonymous said...

I mean if you really WANNA be hip and have the latest "thing" go for it man.. though it may make you the life of the social scene and force you to leave your castle and be thronged by wannabes ;)

then again.. maybe you are simply brilliant, shy and monastic. And that is ok too.

too many "diseases" and syndroms out there of you ask me. :D

Unknown said...

Amen, Greg! I'd say you do exceedingly well, Mr. Digging Your Toe in the Dirt and Gazing Shyly into the Distance Rith! I'd probably stand a pretty good chance of being diagnosed thus, as well. But I decided long ago, that I'm acceptable and if I don't really enjoy all the mingling, I just don't. So there! Pot on, Mr. Potter! I think you're grand.

Lou said...

well put ML! I think you probably do fall somewhere in the giant rainbow of autistic do-da Gary, just like me, just like a lot of the creative, intelligent, sensitive people I know. There's so much ground with all these things that the experts haven't even begun to cover.

It's a pity 'autistic' is used so generally, and that it's so projorative a term, when it can actually mean so many different and positive things.

Hey ho.

Gordo said...

Gary, I know a number of kids with AS and I truly don't see it. You're just a bit weird. Embrace it.

Anonymous said...

and yet you do shows.
you are part of an art trail where people come into your space.
and you have formed a whole online community around you.
(there are blogs where one cannot leave comments)

deborah

gary rith said...

Ah, but Deborah, who says meeting people is easy? And this online neighborhood requires no face to face or eye contact.
I was struck by some of the aspects of the syndrome in the article, that's all, and will perhaps return to calling myself a reclusive flake.

Gordo said...

As Lou said, Gary .. Autism is a spectrum of disorders.

Anonymous said...

EVERYONE EMBRACE YOUR INNER WEIRDNESS! :) I like that. I even represent as gordo will heartily attest! nice word usage there Lou - pejorative...makes ya sound all high-falutin book learn-ed and everything ;)

Susan as Herself said...

Huh. I think I might have that syndrome too.

But if I could CHOOSe which syndrome to have these days, I would pick "Restless legs Syndrome" because then maybne I would feel like running a marathon while I was sitting around on my butt. Nothing like your own legs to tell you to get out of the chair and run around...

Gordo said...

I have "Project Completion Disorder" .. I wonder if that qualifies me for a parking permit?

Anonymous said...

if you ever get around to finishing the paperwork ;)

Lou said...

well done Greg!

I really amen't a fan of the 'disorder' or 'syndrome' words, I don't think it's always is a bad thing is all I was saying. It's a difficult subject really, but there's lots of info out there if you google :)

Unknown said...

My son, Jacob, has tested at the high-end of the autistic spectrum, and I've always thought he has Asperger's. Smart as a whip. Lacking in social grace. Maniacally crazy in large gatherings. VERY friendly in an in-your-face sort of way. LOUD. Quirky. Just ask Dave . . . he'll tell you. Dave is one of the few people who aren't actually put off by my son. Or if he is, he certainly doesn't let on.

PS - I'm socially awkward and shy, too. I can't stand talking on the phone, and I don't enjoy meeting new people. It's a terrifying experience, and one I am trying my hardest to get over.

Anonymous said...

I was thinking that I can use 'can't do it, asperger's' to get out of things:
'can't go to the Christmas party at your office'
'nope, can't go to the dump'
'forget it, my asperger's prevents me doing the dishes today'

OK, I am silly and I am not really self-diagnosing myself, but some of these descriptors are close to home.

Anonymous said...

I tend to like being home and can be quite the hermit, myself. But I find when I do go out, it's a bit weird from having been couped up. So I make sure I don't cloister myself for too long. It's not good for the psyche.

Restless Leg Syndrome - that's me too, Susan! I find doing leg stretches to be helpful.

Anonymous said...

i was more saying harrah that you had not let not liking to do the face to face or eye contact or difficulty meeting people or making friends stop you from making a career and living as a potter.
or we all wouldn't be benefitting from your beautiful wares.
just that so many things one reads says you better like doing shows or meeting people or some such thing to go down the road of being a professional artisan/artist.
and you did it anyway.
and you held on long enough for technology to provide you with a way to market and sell without the face to face all the time.
that is wanting something (or being what one is suppose to)

deborah

Anonymous said...

its funny how I just stumbled across this discussion! I have AS and so does my son. I completely understand why people dont believe its a real condition. It describes everyone I know. the difference? well...i can only tell you about myself, as any one with AS can. All I know is if you are, trust me, you know! there is no "wondering". Its something you've had your entire life.

Anonymous said...

Oh and its not fun...you really dont want it. Its not fun at all.

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