Evaluation of Asperger's Syndrome on a Personal Level

March is Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month this month`s blog was written by a guest, who was diagnosed with Asperger`s at the age of 30.

I am a 38-year-old, and I was diagnosed with Asperger’s Syndrome in 2016.  Since childhood, I have been very shy in meeting new people and did not have friends at school.  I got bullied due to my hearing impairment.  I found it difficult to socialise and make friends because I was treated differently at school and did not fit in.

I find it challenging to make new friends and to socialise.  At work, social situations such as having too many people around me can make me feel anxious and worried.  To overcome this, I often consult with my line manager about my difficulties such as too much noise, which helps reassure and calm me in the workplace.  I often go to a quiet room to relax or listen to music and use noise-cancelling headphones.  Getting good advice from my manager gives me confidence in facing new challenges and the belief that someone can always guide and support me through challenging periods. 

Asperger’s Syndrome affects me in several ways.  For example, I find it challenging to make new friends whether at work or outside work.  I find it difficult to pick up social cues and understanding others’ needs can prove to be challenging.  In addition, I find it difficult to sustain conversations with others.  I enjoy tasks or procedures that are routine. Any changes caused by external factors such as noise or overcrowded situations can be overwhelming.

Finally, for me to stay focused on a topic area or subject proves hard and I often find it hard to focus and concentrate.  I sometimes cannot cope when someone is talking too fast on the telephone, which proves a challenge as I have a hearing impairment. 

Some individuals refer to autistic persons with average or above-average intellect as having Asperger's syndrome. There is a spectrum for autism. This implies that each autistic person is unique. Some autistic people require very little assistance whereas others might require it daily. It is not a sign of illness or disease to be autistic. It indicates that your brain functions differently from someone else's. Autism symptoms may appear early in life or may not show up until later in life.[1]

You can read more about Asperger's and support available here.

[1] https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/autism/what-is-autism/