This is topic I'd Never Heard of This Before... in forum Books, Films, Food and Culture at Hatrack River Forum.


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Posted by SteveRogers (Member # 7130) on :
 
I actually stumbled upon this while re-reading one of Mr. Card's columns. But I'd never heard of [url= http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Asperger%27s_Syndrome][/url]

It is a very interesting disease. Actually, the only reason I found it interesting is because I felt that I identified with a couple of the symptoms or signs of the disorder.

Edit:

The link doesn't work, but, if you would like info, you must only search Asperger's Syndrome on wikipedia.
 
Posted by password (Member # 9105) on :
 
You might be careful calling it a disease. I know you didn't mean anything, but some of those who have it consider it a set of personality traits and take offense at the idea that it is a disease.

(just from having known a few "Aspies" and their parents)
 
Posted by Juxtapose (Member # 8837) on :
 
I know it's so very wrong, but I can't think of that illness without hearing it in my head as "ass-purger's syndrome."

I apologize for my brain. It made me write this.
 
Posted by SteveRogers (Member # 7130) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by password:
You might be careful calling it a disease. I know you didn't mean anything, but some of those who have it consider it a set of personality traits and take offense at the idea that it is a disease.

(just from having known a few "Aspies" and their parents)

I was just saying that because I'd seen a number of places where it was called a disease. I actually hadn't wanted to call it a disease, but I couldn't think of another word to put in there.

I ended up using disorder later. Is that alright, do you think?
 
Posted by beverly (Member # 6246) on :
 
Dude. I'm married to one!
 
Posted by Synesthesia (Member # 4774) on :
 
I feel like I have Asperger's traits.
I'm good with eye contact and yet-
I hate socializing and try to avoid it as much as I can.
I like staying home and reading better than partying.
I tend to obsess over certain subjects and bug the heck out of everyone talking about them, (Music, why Dir en grey is the best band ever, ect)
 
Posted by SteveRogers (Member # 7130) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by beverly:
Dude. I'm married to one!

I'm sorry if I offended you...
 
Posted by Synesthesia (Member # 4774) on :
 
Also, a character in a story of mine will have Asperger's Syndrome if I could JUST finish that other story!
She also plays piano and only cares about music, so she's totally based on me except for the piano thing because 9 times out of 10 all I care about is music.
I have an odd mixture of being able to read people and not being able to understand them one bit.
 
Posted by SteveRogers (Member # 7130) on :
 
I've got the whole:

1) being obsessed with certain things at one time,

2) not looking at people when I talk to them,

3) wanting to get conversations over as quick as possible because I'm uncomfortable,

4) and having problems reading people for their emotions

thing going.
 
Posted by beverly (Member # 6246) on :
 
No, that wasn't offense at all. It was more surprise. I'd never thought of it before. But I read through, and it is Porter to a T. Kinda scary.
 
Posted by SteveRogers (Member # 7130) on :
 
So, that was reading it and realizing that you were married to one and you just hadn't known it before? Not wanting to shoot me with a bow and arrow with poison on the tips?
 
Posted by sweetbaboo (Member # 8845) on :
 
There was a kid at church in my primary class with Asperger's who also had facial blindness. (He couldn't recognize faces.) So we had to get him to look at our face when we said hello and talk to him to help him practice recognizing familiar faces.

Interesting.
 
Posted by Noemon (Member # 1115) on :
 
Bev, I was actually talking to somebody recently (hm...fiazko, maybe?) about Porter, and described him as having a very mild version of Asperger's.
 
Posted by Synesthesia (Member # 4774) on :
 
I can't be normal. It's too difficult. I can barely even lie politely. 9 times out of ten if someone asked me a direct question I'd tell the truth...
But if I were, I'd be very high functioning and a lot different than this fellow in this book The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time.
I also have trouble telling if a person is kidding and I'm interested in machinese and gears and technical stuff, I just don't have the math skills though...
 
Posted by SteveRogers (Member # 7130) on :
 
Actually, the only reason I looked this up, aside from the above mentioned reason, I've been on a mental disorder kick. I've been looking into a lot of information about that sort of thing. Schizophrenia, ADD, ADHD, and autism mostly.
 
Posted by Synesthesia (Member # 4774) on :
 
I also rock a lot to...
Rocking feels good..

I did a ton of research for Asperger's for my novel. Asperger's is fascinating but a lot of people who have it and Autism go trhough quite a bit of hell.
It makes me so sad.
 
Posted by SteveRogers (Member # 7130) on :
 
What is your novel about?
 
Posted by Fusiachi (Member # 7376) on :
 
Working in a group home environment with people with all sorts of mental and physical "disorders", I've seen a number of clients with Aspergers. It can be really rough on them, especially in combination with other conditions (Autism, for example). Just when you start to think that it's a tough job, you remember how much more difficult it is for the residents.
 
Posted by Synesthesia (Member # 4774) on :
 
This girl with Asperger's Syndrome who plays piano and goes to Juliard and has this girl that falls in love with her who sings.
Should be interesting, but very difficult.
 
Posted by SteveRogers (Member # 7130) on :
 
I think you should have a janitor who likes nachos in there somewhere.
 
Posted by beverly (Member # 6246) on :
 
quote:
So, that was reading it and realizing that you were married to one and you just hadn't known it before? Not wanting to shoot me with a bow and arrow with poison on the tips?
Yeah, pretty much. [Smile]

Noemon, that's interesting. I think describing him that way might help people understand where he is coming from sometimes. I wasn't familiar enough with the syndrome to recognize the similarities.
 
Posted by SteveRogers (Member # 7130) on :
 
That makes me feel a whole lot better. Because I don't think it would be much fun to be impaled with a poisonous arrow.
 
Posted by beverly (Member # 6246) on :
 
[Big Grin]
 
Posted by signal (Member # 6828) on :
 
Does anyone know if there's a connection between Asperger's and personality type? The reason I'm asking is because there are a few similarities between Asperger's and the INTJ Keirsey personality type. (Not that they totally match up. Sarcasm, being one of the main differences.) I also noticed that the wikipedia article mentioned Dan Aykroyd as someone who has been diagnosed with it. He is also mentioned in several things I've read as an INTJ type personality. Is it possible that people that just have that sort of personality are being misdiagnosed, or conversely people that do have this syndrome are not being given proper aid and are just passed off as "difficult?"
 
Posted by SteveRogers (Member # 7130) on :
 
I've been impaled with an arrow with a suction cup on the end. But I have the idea that a real arrow would probably be a lot worse.
 
Posted by Goody Scrivener (Member # 6742) on :
 
Missy's doctor suspects she may have Asperger's (or something that presents similarly) but is very hesitant to make an official diagnosis.
 
Posted by SteveRogers (Member # 7130) on :
 
I probably would be, also. I'd want to make sure before I set in stone that someone had such a thing.
 
Posted by mr_porteiro_head (Member # 4644) on :
 
Before this thread, all I knew about Asperger's was that it was some sort of "autism lite".

I just went and read that article. It was freaky how well so much of it described me. About the only parts that fit were the need for routine and tidiness.

Assuming that I do have a mild form of Aspergers:

I'm not overly thrilled that there is a clinical name for this. I've always thought of it as my particular strenghts and weaknesses. I'm better at some things than most people, and worse at other things. It's a large part of my sense of self, and I frankly don't like the idea that it's been classified into a neat little corner.

I'm also wary of people viewing me not as "Porter who is like this, this, and this", but as "someone with Aspergers, isn't that sad?".

Not that it's something I've spent a lot of time contemplating, but those are some of my initial reactions.

[ March 07, 2006, 10:18 PM: Message edited by: mr_porteiro_head ]
 
Posted by Synesthesia (Member # 4774) on :
 
Is it bad that I don't think of asperger's syndrom is something bad or sad?
My problem with something like asperger's is it seems like people's reaction to people with asperger's is a bigger problem than the disorder itself in some circumstance...
Some...
 
Posted by TomDavidson (Member # 124) on :
 
Does it make you feel better to know that almost everyone I know who's been self-diagnosed with Asperger's has reacted that way, Porter, while almost all the people I know who've been professionally diagnosed with Asperger's have been relieved?

It's been frequently observed over the last few years that the Internet is an Asperger's sufferer's playground.

-------

quote:

Is it possible that people that just have that sort of personality are being misdiagnosed...

Or, speaking here as an ENFP, it's entirely possible that all the people with that personality type are mentally deficient in some way. [Wink] *ducks and runs*
 
Posted by mr_porteiro_head (Member # 4644) on :
 
That's interesting Tom. Why do you think that is so? (Concerning the differing reactions between the self-diagnosed and professionally diagnosed.) I could make up some reasons, but I'd really just be pulling ideas out of my ear.

Also, are you really an ENFP?
 
Posted by beverly (Member # 6246) on :
 
I'm not sure, but he may be saying that if you are self-diagnosed, you don't really have it, at least not very much, so the idea is bothersome, while the people who have saught professional help have suffered and are glad there is a specific reason for their suffering.

Porter, if it makes you feel any better, my sis-in-law thinks her husband (my brother) has it as well. You and he are still pretty unique in your individual ways--even if you both fit the same "syndrome."
 
Posted by mr_porteiro_head (Member # 4644) on :
 
Yeah, that's pretty much what I would have pulled out of my own ear.

But I was asking for the thoughts of somebody who has interacted with enough people of both types to have drawn that conclusion. [Razz]
 
Posted by TomDavidson (Member # 124) on :
 
quote:
That's interesting Tom. Why do you think that is so? (Concerning the differing reactions between the self-diagnosed and professionally diagnosed.) I could make up some reasons, but I'd really just be pulling ideas out of my ear.
I'd be pulling ideas out of nowhere any more reputable, myself. [Smile]

But, yeah, I'm an ENFP. More specifically, I'm overwhelmingly EP and just barely NF (usually only a point or two to either side, but typically tending NF depending on mood). I don't know if there's a personality type for that. *laugh*
 
Posted by 0range7Penguin (Member # 7337) on :
 
I knew a guy that had a real bad case of Asperger's syndrome. He was a ManyPoint CIT with me and a freind. His biggest thing was a terror of water. He couldn't even take a bath. Not sure if this was due to Asperger's or something else though.
 
Posted by mr_porteiro_head (Member # 4644) on :
 
To answer your question -- part of me feels that I should be bothered by the fact that I've responded so predictably, but I just can't bring myself to care.
 
Posted by quidscribis (Member # 5124) on :
 
Fahim and I both sound like Aspergers. The more I read about it, the more I'm convinced. And yep, me more so than Fahim - he's much better with social cues and such than me, and I'm way way more sensitive than he is.

My niece and nephew are here right now, and it's taken them and my sister visiting with us in Sri Lanka and Fahim pointing out to me how sensitive they all are for me to realize that this is true. I never would have figured it out on my own. I mean, I had decades.
 
Posted by aiua (Member # 7825) on :
 
My friend was just talking about this. I couldn't figure out why someone would call it Ass-burgers until she actually wrote it down for me..
 
Posted by signal (Member # 6828) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by TomDavidson:
Or, speaking here as an ENFP, it's entirely possible that all the people with that personality type are mentally deficient in some way.

I guess that's part of what I'm trying to get at. If the various types are an indicator of what disorders/syndromes a person may be susceptable to getting. For example a person may be type ABCD [using variables here], but have not developed certain skills or traits for whatever reason and so the person might not be functioning "normally" [I hate using that word]. As a result, AB becomes hyperactive and CD no longer functions on par with the other traits. This in turn can be related to 'disorder X'. Does that make any sense? Unfortunately I know little about psychology so I apologize if that came out like jibberish.
 
Posted by starLisa (Member # 8384) on :
 
Have you ever read the book Nobody Nowhere? I tried to read it once, and after about a chapter and a half, I was shaking so badly that I couldn't finish it. It was like that Roberta Flack song. It felt like I was reading a story someone else had written about me.

The author is a high functioning autistic woman, and who knows if she might not have been diagnosed as having Aspergers had the diagnosis existed when she was a child.
 
Posted by starLisa (Member # 8384) on :
 
I'm an INTJ, btw.
 
Posted by beverly (Member # 6246) on :
 
Signal, it makes *perfect* sense to me. "Syndromes" quite often are not well understood. Look at PCOS (polycystic ovarian syndrome.) There are a whole bunch of traits associated with it. But a person may have only a handful of them and still be PCOS.

A "syndrome" often seems to describe a group of behaviors or traits that tend to come together in groups often enough that naming them comes in handy.
 
Posted by aiua (Member # 7825) on :
 
Are you guys referring to the Briggs-Myer test?
I'm iSf/tJ.
 
Posted by Shigosei (Member # 3831) on :
 
Yeah, I have a lot of the symptoms too. However, I don't think I'm badly impaired enough socially to qualify as having Asperger's. It would be nice to have an excuse for my awkwardness, though [Wink]

I remember Wired had an article a while ago on the prevalence of Asperger's among nerds, and the rising rate of autism in the Silicon Valley area.

Edit to add: I'm INTP, if that matters.
 
Posted by signal (Member # 6828) on :
 
Why stick such labels on things unless they are negative and need 'fixing'?
 
Posted by beverly (Member # 6246) on :
 
INFP here. [Smile]
 
Posted by beverly (Member # 6246) on :
 
Because it helps to understand people that have those traits when they are so different than the mainstream? If someone is familiar with the syndrome, they can understand where the person is coming from.

Just like the personality test. [Smile]
 
Posted by signal (Member # 6828) on :
 
Aiua, yes, I used it as a better known scale to compare personality to syndromes/disorders.
 
Posted by signal (Member # 6828) on :
 
Bev, that makes sense. I guess I just feel like there are some that are overdiagnosed just so people have an excuse for being a certain way. I'll throw ADD/ADHD as one that I think is a real disorder, but is overdiagnosed, and furthermore, prescribed medication to.
 
Posted by beverly (Member # 6246) on :
 
It may be that the "real disorder" is simply a more severe version of the same sort of thing. I agree that ADD/ADHD in particular is overdiagnosed--meaning, many of the kids *have* those tendancies, but medicine isn't the best way to help them. It certainly shouldn't be the first course of action, IMO.
 
Posted by GaalDornick (Member # 8880) on :
 
I have alot of those symptoms. I'm also diagnosed with ADD, and when it comes to certain things, I have OCD. I'm very introverted, but I try desperately to be more extroverted. I'm INTP, too.
 
Posted by Tante Shvester (Member # 8202) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by sweetbaboo:
There was a kid at church in my primary class with Asperger's who also had facial blindness. (He couldn't recognize faces.)

Face blindness is prosopagnosia. As someone who is affected, I can tell you that it can be a social handicap. Imagine seeing people who are your friends, who greet you by name, and you can't figure out who they are. Imagine having trouble recognizing your co-workers. I try to cover by smiling and greeting everyone, and then trying to figure out who they are by other cues (lots of times, when people start talking, things fall into place).

I'm pretty good at recognizing people's hairdos, but when they try a new style, they are like a stranger to me.

I have long been attracted to people who are physically different. This may be because their differences make it easy for me to recognize them and be natural around them without having to cover up the fact that I don't know who they are.
 
Posted by beverly (Member # 6246) on :
 
Tante, since I suffer from a very mild form of prosopagnosia myself, and I too am attracted to faces with strong, obvious features.

I remember as a child embarassing myself because I called one classmate by the name of the other because I perceived them as looking the same. I tend to remember clothing, so once someone changes clothes, if their face is not very memorable to me, I worry that I will forget what they look like.

It *is* socially crippling even in mild form.
 
Posted by Tante Shvester (Member # 8202) on :
 
We should begin a Prosopagnosiacs Society. If only we could recognize each other.

beverly, don't you think this world would be a much better place if everyone was required by law to wear a prominently displayed name tag at all times?
 
Posted by Shigosei (Member # 3831) on :
 
Oh...it's not normal to have trouble recognizing someone you've seen only a couple of times? I often don't recognize people until I've seen them enough for the image to be firmly in my mind, or they have distinguishing features. And I get people mixed up frequently if they look too much alike (especially with similar hair colors).

And yes, everyone should wear a nametag. Actually, since I'm a visual learner, that's one trick I use to help me remember names...I imagine them wearing a name tag. Seeing the name in conjunction with their face helps me remember the connection.
 
Posted by beverly (Member # 6246) on :
 
Tante, that would make my life *sooo* much easier!

My biggest worry is the inevitable offense others feel if they think I ought to remember their face and I don't.
 
Posted by Shigosei (Member # 3831) on :
 
I don't get offended at that. I might if my own mother didn't recognize me, but that's never happened. People forget names all the time, so it probably makes them feel better that they aren't the only one.
 
Posted by Jon Boy (Member # 4284) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by TomDavidson:
I'd be pulling ideas out of nowhere any more reputable, myself. [Smile]

But, yeah, I'm an ENFP. More specifically, I'm overwhelmingly EP and just barely NF (usually only a point or two to either side, but typically tending NF depending on mood). I don't know if there's a personality type for that. *laugh*

Oh my gosh, Tom. You're like my extroverted doppelganger.

I had about the same reaction as Porter: I recognized a lot of these traits as beings ones that I have, even if they're very mild. However, then I got down to the "Definitions and diagnostic criteria" section of that Wikipedia article and realized that I don't actually meet all the criteria.

And even though I may have some traits in common with this syndrome, I wouldn't consider myself impaired in any way.
 
Posted by beverly (Member # 6246) on :
 
I guess I feel bad because I don't think I've ever had someone forget my face, even if some might forget my name. I must just have one of those faces.
 
Posted by beverly (Member # 6246) on :
 
Those "Definitions" were what convinced me that Porter fit the bill.
 
Posted by mr_porteiro_head (Member # 4644) on :
 
quote:
And even though I may have some traits in common with this syndrome, I wouldn't consider myself impaired in any way.
Nerd. [Razz]
 
Posted by Jon Boy (Member # 4284) on :
 
I just meant that it's not extreme enough that it affects my ability to make friends or communicate or things like that.
 
Posted by signal (Member # 6828) on :
 
This isn't really related, but its a news story about a kid with autism. I thought it was pretty cool.

http://www.break.com/index/autisticbball.html
 
Posted by mr_porteiro_head (Member # 4644) on :
 
I'd have to say that those personality traits do affecty my ability to communicate and get along with people.
 
Posted by Tante Shvester (Member # 8202) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by Shigosei:
I don't get offended at that.

OK, but try to imagine a co-worker that you've known for 4 years snubbing you for no reason. And you would never know that it is because you got a perm and now she doesn't know who you are.
 
Posted by sweetbaboo (Member # 8845) on :
 
Tante, in that case, after you figured out who that coworker was, would you tell her about the facial blindness? If so, does that ever help so that people know what to do to help you?
 
Posted by quidscribis (Member # 5124) on :
 
Yep, been there, snubbed people. [Frown]
 
Posted by romanylass (Member # 6306) on :
 
I have ADHD (diagnosed) and OCD (diagnosed by everyone who spends any time with me, though not by a professional.) Some of the Asperger's traits fit me, though most peple who know me would say I don't have the social issues. But it's kind of an act- I have always felt there are some rules that everyone but me gets.
 
Posted by breyerchic04 (Member # 6423) on :
 
From what I know of Asperger's, most people who are diagnosed would not be able to cover it up, like an act to keep themselves from appearing sociallly lacking.
 
Posted by Derrell (Member # 6062) on :
 
Does anyone know if there's an online diagnostic test for Asperger's? I have at least half of the symptoms mentioned in that article.

It's nice to know there's a reason for it other than sheer geekiness. [Wink]
 
Posted by breyerchic04 (Member # 6423) on :
 
I don't think it's something I would want diagnosed through an online test, much of it is based on observation rather than experience.
 
Posted by TomDavidson (Member # 124) on :
 
quote:
I have ADHD (diagnosed) and OCD (diagnosed by everyone who spends any time with me, though not by a professional.)
God, I can't imagine how awful that would be. You feel compelled to wash your hands all the time, but you keep getting distracted before you finish. *shudder*
 
Posted by FlyingCow (Member # 2150) on :
 
For anyone who thinks they may be mildly Asperger's, you might want to look into NLD - Nonverbal Learning Disorder.

Basically, things that aren't language-specific become more difficult to process. So, while someone's words may convey a ton of meaning, their facial expressions or ironic tone may be missed entirely.

I've taught both Aspergers Syndrome students and NLD students, and there are many similar indicators - though the Aspergers students tended to draw more attention to their difficulties fitting in.

[ March 08, 2006, 06:36 PM: Message edited by: FlyingCow ]
 
Posted by romanylass (Member # 6306) on :
 
quote:
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
I have ADHD (diagnosed) and OCD (diagnosed by everyone who spends any time with me, though not by a professional.)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

God, I can't imagine how awful that would be. You feel compelled to wash your hands all the time, but you keep getting distracted before you finish. *shudder*

This is as true as it is funny.
 
Posted by sweetbaboo (Member # 8845) on :
 
Beer Expedition, Flying Cow? Maybe *I* have a NLD. [Big Grin]
 
Posted by FlyingCow (Member # 2150) on :
 
Huh?
 
Posted by sweetbaboo (Member # 8845) on :
 
Your NLD link came up as Beer Expedition Denver, Colorado Breweries.
 
Posted by FlyingCow (Member # 2150) on :
 
LOL. Sorry... hehe.

Let's try this again. Where's the Ctrl+V thread when you need it?

Here you go. I'll fix the link in the other post, too.

[Blushing]
 
Posted by sweetbaboo (Member # 8845) on :
 
[ROFL]
 
Posted by FlyingCow (Member # 2150) on :
 
NLD is a very recently diagnosed problem. I learned a lot about it from a teacher in my school last year whose daughter was NLD.

Apparently, students diagnosed with NLD have a very high rate of suicide in their preteen years, because they don't understand the rapidly changing relationships and feel abandoned by their elementary school friends.

Those that make it through often find careers that allow them to avoid human contact, often with computers. The internet has been a wonderful outlet for NLD students.

On a related note, both my NLD and Asperger's parents found that The Sims was helpful in developing social "cause and effect" relationships in a nonthreatening environment.
 
Posted by The Rabbit (Member # 671) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by signal:
Does anyone know if there's a connection between Asperger's and personality type? The reason I'm asking is because there are a few similarities between Asperger's and the INTJ Keirsey personality type."

According to Wikipedia

"There seems to be a strong correlation between those with Asperger syndrome or high-functioning autism (HFA) and the INTP type of the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI): description 1, description 2. Another theory states that Asperger's correlates to the INTP personality type, whereas high functioning autism correlates to the INFJ personality type."
 
Posted by Kristen (Member # 9200) on :
 
I'm INTP (solidly, never varied) and I don't have any of the Asperger traits. *shrug*

There is a student in my major with Asperger: he comes in late and slumps almost if he is asleep, and will blurt out the answers, every so often, without raising his hand. He definitely does not make eye contact.

I really do believe he has a disorder as he communicates just fine online and ruefully recognizes his inability to perform and adapt to social situations. I can't say it's been easy for him...
 
Posted by GaalDornick (Member # 8880) on :
 
I talked to a friend today and he told me he was diagnosed with Asperger's in 3rd grade. I'm not suprised at all, after reading the symptoms.
 
Posted by Tante Shvester (Member # 8202) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by sweetbaboo:
Tante, in that case, after you figured out who that coworker was, would you tell her about the facial blindness?

No, I rarely admit it. I just cover for it, and act really nice and friendly once I figure it out. And I apologise for the snub, saying that I was distracted by something, and I hope that offense wasn't taken.

I HAVE been accused of being racist, because I can't tell Asians, Indians, and Blacks apart. I can sputter in protest all I want that I can't tell white folk apart, either, and I'm white, but my inability to recognise faces does make me suspect.
 
Posted by quidscribis (Member # 5124) on :
 
Tante, studies have shown that white people are better at recognizing white faces, but have a hard time with other races. Those same studies show that blacks can identify blacks but not other races, Asians can identify Asians but not other races, and so on. So if you're racist on that basis, then so is everyone else!


I've now read over the NLD description, and that DEFINITELY ain't me. Nope, I'm back to Aspergers. [Razz]
 
Posted by signal (Member # 6828) on :
 
Do you ever not recognize your own face like in a mirror? Also, are you affected when you look at photographs? I'm such a visual person and if I was ever like that, I think I'd go insane. It must be so frustrating.
 
Posted by quidscribis (Member # 5124) on :
 
Yeah, well, try having amnesia. That's way frustrating. [Big Grin]
 
Posted by Nell Gwyn (Member # 8291) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by quidscribis:
studies have shown that white people are better at recognizing white faces, but have a hard time with other races. Those same studies show that blacks can identify blacks but not other races, Asians can identify Asians but not other races, and so on. So if you're racist on that basis, then so is everyone else!

I think it has more to do with which races you grew up seeing the most often rather than which race you are.

I'm Asian, but for the first 18 years of my life I lived in a small town that I'm guessing was about 97% white and 2.99% Hispanic (my mom and I made up the other 0.01%). I'm bad with faces to begin with, but I've noticed that I have a harder time recognizing blacks and Asians. I can never tell any of my Filipino cousins apart in pictures, and it takes me a really long time to be sure of who is who when we're together in person. I usually depend on hairstyles or height rather than their faces.

/slight derailment
 
Posted by quidscribis (Member # 5124) on :
 
Nell, you're right. I should have added that.
 
Posted by Tante Shvester (Member # 8202) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by quidscribis:
Yeah, well, try having amnesia. That's way frustrating. [Big Grin]

You remember having amnesia? Huh.

I'm not sure about recognizing my own face. I mean, who else could it be in the mirror wearing my clothes? It's GOT to be me. In a group photo, I can pick myself out, but I think it takes me longer than it should.

I can recognize people that I know intimately. But it may take me a few beats if they are out of context. Even my own son. I will see him walking towards me, when we are outside of the home, and until he comes close enough that his face lights with recognition of mine, he looks like some boy, but not MY boy. If I am actively searching for him, though, I can recognise him before he sees me.

He has been taught from a young age not to embarrass me by asking to be introduced to someone that I am speaking with. He understands that a lot of the time, I'm just covering, and I have no idea who it is that I'm talking to.
 
Posted by quidscribis (Member # 5124) on :
 
Um, Tante, I STILL HAVE the amnesia. As in, I'm still missing huge chunks of time, as in years, where I remember nothing. Or, um, years worth of memories. Or something. *confused*
 
Posted by Tante Shvester (Member # 8202) on :
 
You poor dear! Emotional trauma or traumatic brain injury can do that. Neither one is a treat. My heart goes out to you.
 
Posted by quidscribis (Member # 5124) on :
 
Eh, I'm okay. [Smile] It happened a long time ago and I'm used to it and all the odd side effects. But thanks. [Smile]
 
Posted by Tante Shvester (Member # 8202) on :
 
Glad you're OK. You DO remember how awesome you look in a Salwar Kameez, don't you?
 
Posted by Primal Curve (Member # 3587) on :
 
I'm so strongly N on the MBTI, that I am at the point where I almost cannot learn from textbooks. They spell it out so plainly that my brain rejects it. I learn best when I have to infer meaning from the text.

I'm also really, really bad at math problems. If you were to put even a simple algebraic equation in front of me, I'd have a hard time solving it. But if you used the same principle in a word problem, I wouldn't have a problem figuring it out. This is one of the reasons I always did well in Physics classes, but terribly in Calculus.

When this happens, I feel like I have to almost force my brain to do it. It's one of the few times where I feel like I cannot do something. Most of the time, I can just wing it, but I feel as though I'm fighting some kind of huge mental block that I cannot surmount.
 
Posted by quidscribis (Member # 5124) on :
 
Tante, have you even seen me in a shalwaar?

I got the three shalwaars back from the seamstress - the pink cotton one with aqua and purple embroidery, the aqua cotton-silk one with lots of beadwork for the wedding, and the purple one with lots of beadwork for the groom's feast after the wedding. And, um, yeah, they look okay on me. [Wink]

I'll have to take pictures and post 'em sometime. [Razz]
 
Posted by Tante Shvester (Member # 8202) on :
 
I haven't seen you in the outfits, honey, but I, myself, own three salwars kameezes (or whatever the plural is), and where I live in New Jersey it is a very common thing to see women wearing them. I'm just assuming that you look terrific in it. Everyone does. And I can't resist playing with my dupatta, either.

(just wait -- someone's going to stick that last line in the out-of-context thread)
 
Posted by quidscribis (Member # 5124) on :
 
Tante, I love that your default assumption is that I look terrific in them. [Kiss] You are a dear!
 
Posted by Scott R (Member # 567) on :
 
Aw man. I don't have any type of disorder, and my personality's so bland, I failed the Briggs-Meyer test.
 
Posted by quidscribis (Member # 5124) on :
 
Poor Scott. *pat pat*
 
Posted by Olivet (Member # 1104) on :
 
Wow. I really thought I might identify with something in this thread, but I really don't.

I'm outgoing and usually pretty good at reading people, though I am socially awkward at times.

The funny thing is that my pediatrician suggested that my youngest might be PDD-NOS, which he said was once a diagnosis but is now considered to be a personality type.When he talked about the different symptoms, I really identified with them from my childhood. He said after following kids with these characteristics through the 1970's and on, it was decided it wasn't a disorder, in that there was no significant impact of the people's lives.

My son's 'symptoms' were being late to speak and having some difficulty acquiring language normaly, which he had some special speech classes and so forth. We noticed it when he seemed unable to follow directions.

"Take your napkin to the trash can" for example, really confused him at age 3. When we'd point and say, "Pick up your napkin" he'd see the napkin and pick it up, but when we said "Take it to the trash can" he'd put down the napkin and go stand by the trash can. He just wasn't getting it, despite having a very large vocabulary of words he understood and spoke.

It was really frustrating for us.

Also, he was late in developing empathy. He really didn't understand that he could hurt others because he didn't feel it. He eventually became very hyper-empathetic.

The third thing that was considered part of this spectrum was that he didn't show a lot of interest in interacting with other kids at age three. Now he does, though. He's the most social of my kids, the most outgoing. He has tons of friends, though he is often puzzled when kids do not act friendly towards him (I think that is because usually they do).

Anyway, our doctor said it was nothing to worry about. We were getting him the help he needs at a young age to overcome any social backwardness, plus (the doctor said this, not me) his good looks would make people disposed to accept him. O_O

He also said that PDD-NOS kids tended to be really, really smart, beat-of-a-different-drum sorts of people.

So, he gets in trouble for whistling in gym class or burping in the car rider line at school. *shrug* His classmates love him, though, and he's had several wee girls tell their moms they want to marry him. O_O

I guess he'll do okay. I managed just fine. [Wink]

[ March 10, 2006, 12:31 PM: Message edited by: Olivet ]
 
Posted by KarlEd (Member # 571) on :
 
quote:
and he's had sever wee girls tell their moms they want to marry him. O_O
I'd tell him to stay away from those "sever wee" girls. Just ask John Bobbit. [Wink]
 
Posted by Tante Shvester (Member # 8202) on :
 
Funny guy, Karl! Funny guy, right here!
 
Posted by beverly (Member # 6246) on :
 
:snerk:
 
Posted by solo (Member # 3148) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by The Rabbit:
quote:
Originally posted by signal:
Does anyone know if there's a connection between Asperger's and personality type? The reason I'm asking is because there are a few similarities between Asperger's and the INTJ Keirsey personality type."

According to Wikipedia

"There seems to be a strong correlation between those with Asperger syndrome or high-functioning autism (HFA) and the INTP type of the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI): description 1, description 2. Another theory states that Asperger's correlates to the INTP personality type, whereas high functioning autism correlates to the INFJ personality type."

I find that interesting as I register as an INFJ based on the test that was linked. I'll have to read some information about HFA. I don't think that I have ever shown any signs of Autism and I haven't read too much about Aspergers.

[ March 13, 2006, 01:08 AM: Message edited by: solo ]
 
Posted by Scott R (Member # 567) on :
 
Okay, supposedly, I'm iNFj; but I don't know that I answered honestly.
 
Posted by Olivet (Member # 1104) on :
 
I have been given that test several times. I took one in Youth Group just before I graduated High School, and then one a few months later when I started college.

I got different outcomes. I was honest both times. *shrug*

I believe those tests are fundamentally flawed. Or maybe this just goes back to my dislike of being indexed and profiled. It's insulting.
 
Posted by solo (Member # 3148) on :
 
I think I answered honestly. I always seem to have a problem when taking these tests though. Yes or No are usually much too simplistic options for answers to the questions.
 
Posted by TomDavidson (Member # 124) on :
 
I'm actually curious why Porter seemed surprised that I was an ENFP. *laugh*
 
Posted by mr_porteiro_head (Member # 4644) on :
 
I wasn't surprised, but I couldn't tell if you were being serious or not.

What I am surprised about is from what I've seen, most people here seem to be Ns.

<--- ISTP
 
Posted by Jon Boy (Member # 4284) on :
 
I just realized I misread your post, Tom. I usually test as either INTP or ISTJ—I'm very strongly I and T, but I'm borderline on the other two.


Solo: That quote just means that high-functioning autistic people are usually INFJ, not that INFJs are autistic.
 
Posted by mr_porteiro_head (Member # 4644) on :
 
quote:
I'm very strongly I and T, but I'm borderline on the other two.
Me too.
 
Posted by BannaOj (Member # 3206) on :
 
I'm ENTP or INTP depending on my mood. Didn't know there was any correlation whatsoever in types. My strongest inclination is always the N.

There is some speculation on similarities between ADHD, and Aspergers, cause they have a lot of related characteristics.

Temple Grandin a high functioning autistic person has written some really fascinating books on the subject.

AJ
 
Posted by BannaOj (Member # 3206) on :
 
Here's an aspergers self-test...
http://www.wired.com/wired/archive/9.12/aqtest.html

AJ
 
Posted by beverly (Member # 6246) on :
 
When I've read the personality profiles, Porter seems to be more of an INTP than an ISTP. I generally go by which description fits better than what the test results are.
 
Posted by solo (Member # 3148) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by Jon Boy:
Solo: That quote just means that high-functioning autistic people are usually INFJ, not that INFJs are autistic.

Yeah, my thoughts weren't very well conveyed in that post. I more just meant that I find it interesting that my personality type correlates in that way, especially given that so few people fall into that personality type (less than 2% of people according to one of the sites linked from the results here )
 
Posted by BannaOj (Member # 3206) on :
 
hmm that one appears to be dead
here's another one
http://www.rdos.net/eng/Aspie-quiz.php

Thank you for filling out this questionnaire.

Your Aspie score: 139
Your neurotypical (non-autistic) score: 82
You are very likely an Aspie
 
Posted by BannaOj (Member # 3206) on :
 
also engineers are more likely to be aspergers than the general population.

It has also been found that a higher percentage of autistic kids have an engineer as a parent or grandparent than the general population.

AJ
 
Posted by Synesthesia (Member # 4774) on :
 
I forgot what I was on that personality test
I think I'm an idealist...

I also didn't talk until I was three. I figured I knew I could get what I wanted without talking.
 
Posted by Synesthesia (Member # 4774) on :
 
INFJ
 
Posted by mr_porteiro_head (Member # 4644) on :
 
I have a masters in mechanical engineering.

My father is an engineer.

My great-grandfather was an engineer.

[ March 10, 2006, 06:55 PM: Message edited by: mr_porteiro_head ]
 
Posted by Olivet (Member # 1104) on :
 
That's why they also call it "Engineer brain."
 
Posted by Shigosei (Member # 3831) on :
 
I took the test AJ linked to.

Your Aspie score: 113
Your neurotypical (non-autistic) score: 69
You are more Aspie than neurotypical

My parents are engineers, as is my uncle. I'm working on an engineering degree, and so is my younger brother.

Also, here's a humorous sound clip that seems appropriate for this conversation: The Knack.
 
Posted by Synesthesia (Member # 4774) on :
 
Your Aspie score: 141
Your neurotypical (non-autistic) score: 82
You are very likely an Aspie
 
Posted by The Rabbit (Member # 671) on :
 
Your Aspie score: 109
Your neurotypical (non-autistic) score: 76
You are more Aspie than neurotypical
 
Posted by imogen (Member # 5485) on :
 
Your Aspie score: 51
Your neurotypical (non-autistic) score: 139

But I knew I didn't have many of the characteristics.
 
Posted by Derrell (Member # 6062) on :
 
Your Aspie score: 145
Your neurotypical (non-autistic) score: 29
You are very likely an Aspie
 
Posted by Dante (Member # 1106) on :
 
Huh.

My Aspie score: 37
My neurotypical (non-autistic) score: 108

Honestly, some of those questions shocked me. Are there people who really get more upset about losing a pen than losing a relationship?
 
Posted by Synesthesia (Member # 4774) on :
 
There are some...
I was a bit suprised that I scored so high as Aspie...
I do make good eye contact.
 
Posted by sarcare (Member # 8736) on :
 
Your Aspie score: 149
Your neurotypical (non-autistic) score: 41
You are very likely an Aspie

The question asks if you can understand that, which I certainly can. There have been pens in the past that I miss more then co-workers or even past room mates.
 
Posted by pH (Member # 1350) on :
 
Your Aspie score: 96
Your neurotypical (non-autistic) score: 110
You are more neurotypical than Aspie

I'm an ENFP.

But I used to be an I-something, I think an INFP.

I'm usually very perceptive about people, especially in person. I pick up on very small gestures, such as leaning in slightly or maintaining eye contact for a fraction of a second longer than necessary.

Faces can be iffy though, quite possibly because I have literally introduced myself to hundreds of people within the space of a day in the past. I think I got to the point where a lot of faces kind of became a blur. But I can still tell that they look FAMILIAR and that I've had some kind of contact with them, although I might not be able to tell when/where/how. So now I mostly recognize faces and their specifics very quickly if they have something distinctive about them in the eyes, lips, or cheekbones.

-pH
 
Posted by ClaudiaTherese (Member # 923) on :
 
Your Aspie score: 96
Your neurotypical (non-autistic) score: 65
You are more Aspie than neurotypical
 
Posted by Tante Shvester (Member # 8202) on :
 
Your Aspie score: 27
Your neurotypical (non-autistic) score: 158

Hey! I'm normal! [Big Grin]
 
Posted by romanylass (Member # 6306) on :
 
Your Aspie score: 107
Your neurotypical (non-autistic) score: 78
You are more Aspie than neurotypical
 
Posted by ClaudiaTherese (Member # 923) on :
 
We trend together, romanylass. [Smile]
 
Posted by sarahdipity (Member # 3254) on :
 
Your Aspie score: 85
Your neurotypical (non-autistic) score: 144

Interestingly my friends and I were having a conversation about this before this thread started. I'd never heard of it before. And one of my friends was horrified. He couldn't believe I'd never heard of it and have been a Computer Science grad student for so long. He said that I was about to have a whole new understanding of my fellow students and professors.

Is there some term for people on the exact opposite edge of the spectrum of Asperger's?
 
Posted by Dav (Member # 8217) on :
 
Your Aspie score: 95
Your neurotypical (non-autistic) score: 36
You are very likely an Aspie

That seems plausible. I'm a computer programmer who majored in physics, who doesn't understand social situations very well.

As for personality tests, I've lately come up INFJ, though I used to more often come up INTP.

The last two categories are on the borderline for me. I guess the thing is, I like and care about people even though it's exhausting, confusing, and difficult interacting with them.

quote:
Originally posted by Shigosei:

Also, here's a humorous sound clip that seems appropriate for this conversation: The Knack.

That was worth a chuckle [Smile]
 
Posted by Dav (Member # 8217) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by sarahdipity:

Is there some term for people on the exact opposite edge of the spectrum of Asperger's?

I don't know. If there isn't one, someone ought to invent one.
 
Posted by Olivet (Member # 1104) on :
 
Wow. It started off by asking me if I had a bunch of conditions I've never even been tested for, as far as I know.

But anyway:

Your Aspie score: 72
Your neurotypical (non-autistic) score: 131

I don't get why they asked about some of that stuff. Like being 'young for your age' or brand loyalty. [Confused]

The first time I took it, I think I broke the internet. I had to re-take it twice before I could get a score.
 
Posted by Kristen (Member # 9200) on :
 
Your Aspie score: 59
No surprise there.

Some of the questions seemed really weird: does being ambidextrous really make a difference?

My brother is an engineering major and just about the most extroverted, socially comfortable person you can imagine. Heck, he's even in a frat.
 
Posted by TomDavidson (Member # 124) on :
 
quote:

Your Aspie score: 49
Your neurotypical (non-autistic) score: 124


 
Posted by Tatiana (Member # 6776) on :
 
"Some people feel that much of the social difficulties in Asperger Syndrome are more accurately characterized as "mutual misunderstanding", in that neither the "aspie" nor the Non-autistic understands each other. Many aspies have a much easier time reading body language of other autistic people, and many NTs have difficulties interpreting autistic body language, which supports this theory. It could be compared to the nonverbal communication problems that often occur between people from different cultures. Lack of eye contact in some cultures means respect, while in others it is a sign of disrespect, for example."

This is so true of me! I feel that it's often true that people read totally wrong motives into things I do or say, and that I am clueless to understand so many subtexts of what is going on between people. I've always just called it "sucking at the whole people thing" syndrome instead of Aspergers. I try to compensate for my inability to understand nonverbal communication by consciously paying attention to clues of phrasing and body language and painstakingly thinking it through and deciding what someone means by something, but at least in cases where I'm able to find out the truth later, I was almost always totally wrong.

I apologize to everyone human for all my mistakes. It's not because I don't care. You all can speak a language to which I'm deaf. You don't even know you're speaking it, it's so instinctual to you, and so you interpret my deafness as rudeness, or stubbornness, or selfishness, or something. Please believe I'm trying as hard as I can to learn.
 
Posted by calaban (Member # 2516) on :
 
Your Aspie score: 139
Your neurotypical (non-autistic) score: 51
You are very likely an Aspie

INTP

I think I can understand the social aspects of my school years better now.
 
Posted by Tatiana (Member # 6776) on :
 
On the Geek Quiz I only got 17. They said you should have at least 25 to count at Aspergers. I'll go take that other one now.
 
Posted by Jon Boy (Member # 4284) on :
 
Your Aspie score: 119
Your neurotypical (non-autistic) score: 92
You are more Aspie than neurotypical

I guess I'm not too surprised.
 
Posted by Tatiana (Member # 6776) on :
 
Your Aspie score: 132
Your neurotypical (non-autistic) score: 96
You are more Aspie than neurotypical
 
Posted by Rappin' Ronnie Reagan (Member # 5626) on :
 
Your Aspie score: 108
Your neurotypical (non-autistic) score: 38
You are very likely an Aspie
 
Posted by beverly (Member # 6246) on :
 
I'm noticing here that it is not an "either/or" situation. Just because your score in one is low doesn't mean the other will be high. It is more how the two scores relate to each other.
 
Posted by romanylass (Member # 6306) on :
 
quote:
We trend together, romanylass.
We do, don't we? Want to join my commune?
 
Posted by rivka (Member # 4859) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by Tante Shvester:
Hey! I'm normal! [Big Grin]

Just on the one axis. [Wink]
 
Posted by Tante Shvester (Member # 8202) on :
 
I'll take what ever normality I can get.
 
Posted by BannaOj (Member # 3206) on :
 
I think some sections must be weighted or scored differently than others too. It's somewhat in the ratio between the two but not entirely.

AJ
 
Posted by Mr.Funny (Member # 4467) on :
 
Your Aspie score: 103
Your neurotypical (non-autistic) score: 69
You are more Aspie than neurotypical

I'm INTJ.
 


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