Asperger

Asperger Syndrome (AS) was not known before the 1940's, when it was discovered by Hans Asperger, though it's symptoms were acknowledged. It was a long haul until it was formally recognised and it was not until 1994 that it was introduced into the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual -IV (DMV-IV). Since then, all sorts of people from youngsters to oldies like myself have had the opportunity to be tested against the diagnostic criteria and have received their diagnosis. For me, it was an important event because it enabled me to place my difficult experience of life in some form of perspective, but AS is only one end of the diagnostic spectrum and a very small one at that. However, with symptoms abounding, even I have become amazed at just how many people have been diagnosed. When you look at the whole spectrum of autistic disorders the levels of diagnosis are truly worrying. The reason so much attention is placed on autism is that it often will affect the way a person operates. In this modern world, driven by market forces, the emphasis is on getting out there and competing and autistic people do not do that very well. Getting to the root of the problem may help in bringing about a solution which can bring the autistics into line with the rest of society. There is still much argument about what actually causes autism. The medical profession seem unwilling to accept that it is solely a genetic problem and offer all sorts of arguments suggesting how it may have happened. It is not about bad parenting though I appreciate it must be no cake walk to deal with an autistic child but it seems we go to inordinate lengths to distance the parents from responsibility. If it is, as I feel it is, solely genetic then it is something to do with the parents though in a different and genetic way. Sticking my neck out I would suggest that it is linked to organisation of the proteins associated with DNA. This would allow 2 people with very similar DNA to be substantially different people. The reason I feel this is because the distinct lack of some area within the brain in high level autism seems to be made up in other areas in abundance. I see it rather like the protein is a bowl of cold custard, when you stick your finger in you create a void where there is no custard. However, immediately surrounding the void there is so much custard it rises and creates a ripple around your finger. So much for my home spun custard theory. On with the motley.

Formally described as a developmental disorder, the term Asperger Syndrome has become common currency and numerous referrals to it are now made in the press and media. However, much of what is said has to be taken in context of who is saying it and why. Take for example Burt Baccarach's daughter who sadly committed suicide. Any person with AS will be able to understand to some extent the problems of living a productive life with the problem but Burt said things that just do not reconcile with AS. He talked of the 'ravages to her brain' caused by her AS. He spoke of the problem as if it were a degenerative disease like cancer. Whilst he clearly supported her in her studies in which she did very well, he seems to have missed the point about the problem itself. Perhaps it was just the press sensationalising the death but it did seem to be a very sad and inaccurate epitaph. There has been a recent case of a murder committed by a diagnosed AS patient and the lawyers were discussing in court, how the AS had turned this man into a homicidal maniac. He, of course, may have been suffering from a personality disorder as well as AS, but it made good reading unless you, like me, know what you are talking about.

I have often felt when speaking to people that 'there was something missing' in them, which is at odds with the actuality. In my case it is clearly true because something is missing but why should I get this feeling when I am speaking to others? After all, speaking to others (Neuro Typicals) should give me the feeling that they are to some extent, more complete and that should highlight the fact that I am missing something. Perhaps the acceptance of diagnostic criteria for AS has opened the gates to show that genetics has let us down and that we all in some way lack but in some other ways, we seem to make up for it. My sister has Dyslexia and my brother who is very successful has a self interest like no other. Perhaps we are all part of a mosaic spectrum of disorders and the only ones that cause concern are the ones that effect ones progress in life.

I hope this is not a depressing commentary on the subject of AS. I have always had a keen sense of feeling superior in nearly all circumstances and now feel part of an elite club with some distinguished members. I sometimes even wonder how an AS World Council would deal with the problems faced by humanity in our current troubled times. My only depression revolves around not being able to make my point which has really become quite distressing to me at times. This site allows me to do that to some limited extent and for that reason it is therapeutic for me. It is though, a shocking shame that the subject matter of the site has such dire consequences for us all.

The National Autistic Society offers support and advice on all aspects of autism