Introduction
Hi and welcome,
This is the new and updated home for my website Inside Perspectives, which I wrote some years ago in an attempt to analyse and give inside perspectives on some of the most common differences, difficulties, reactions, talents and idiosyncrasies in people with Asperger Syndrome, autism and related conditions.
Scope
The info on this site will be centred primarily around adult ‘Aspies’ (= people with Asperger Syndrome), but many traits are shared with others on the neuro-psychiatric/Neurodiversity Spectrum so some of these (ADHD, Dyslexia, Dyspraxia, Sensory Processing Disorder, Scotopic Sensitivity, Synesthesia, OCD, Tourette Syndrome etc) are included as well.
Summary
Like a growing number of experts and people on the spectrum, I consider most Autism Spectrum Differences to be natural neurological- or personality-type variations, explainable by any combination of the following:
- Personality type and neurological structure geared towards specialisation or creativity rather than towards generalisation, vocalisation and socialisation.
- Quicker-than-average intellectual or creative development, often at the expense of:
- Slower-than-average social-emotional development.
- Androgyny or different brain gender than body gender.
- Rare temperament (e.g. being an Introvert or Intuitive).
- Atypical learning style or brain hemisphere dominance.
- Tendency to trance or space out.
- Innate sensitivity or sensory processing differences.
- Differences in energy level.
- In some cases actual neurological impairments or brain differences.
Credits
Thanks to all the wonderful people - too many to list - who have contributed with quotes, inspiration and information.
Disclaimer
The information herein is based on a combination of personal experience and accounts from hundreds of people with AS, ADHD, dyslexia etc. whom I’ve gotten to know over the Internet and/or in real life. However, they are still generalisations or unique experiences and may not be applicable to everyone with a similar diagnosis.
Also note that I am not a medical professional and that the views presented here are just my own personal opinions. Always consult your primary health care professional and use your own discrimination before following any suggested advice.
AntoniusBlock said,
08 November 2010 at 22:32
Hello,
many thanks for your webpage, it is the best resource i found on the whole web for it. It helped me alot to understand myself.
Thanks!
Ing said,
11 November 2010 at 1:16
Glad to be of service!
Kay said,
02 February 2011 at 18:33
Great webpage. One of the best resources!
Thanks for sharing!
lin said,
10 May 2011 at 19:58
This is a wonderful website and resource for me. I finally understand myself!! thank you so much for the work involved in this site. it has helped me with so many of my relationships. and i refer other people to it, to learn about Aspies and other neurodiversities!
Ing said,
11 May 2011 at 8:02
Thanks for the feedback!
Keith Benfell said,
05 January 2012 at 3:07
This website is da best !!!! Thanks for so much hard work
Ing said,
20 January 2012 at 10:19
And thank you for letting me know it’s appreciated.
Sheva said,
06 January 2012 at 6:57
Greetings:
Thanks for your very informative site.
I just read your list of traits and other items.
Gee, isn’t this how everyone is?
Doesn’t it bother the heck out of everyone if there’s a lot of chaos and people running and pushing and grabbing and making it impossible to have a little secure space?!
And why don’t they also notice the obvious and incredibly irritating inconsistencies in things? Don’t you just have to write to that author and let them know about spelling or grammar errors in their article?
And why is it so hard for folks to spend 10 hours straight working on a project, eat, and stay up all night to do more?
And this is not normal behavior?
Perhaps I have self diagnosed.
What do I do with this?
Sheva
Ing said,
20 January 2012 at 10:18
Hi Sheva, sorry for the late reply (been busy hyperfocusing on another special interest).
I totally agree that this is normal behavior. (For some of us anyway.)
And yes, of course I am helpful enough to contact sites about their spelling and grammar.
What to do about it? Just enjoy, I guess. If those traits are not a problem for you, there should be no need to get an official dx.
Sheva said,
20 January 2012 at 17:08
Over-focusing- ADD or ASP?
Can anyone shed light on making a determination about if over-focusing is ADD or ASP? Thanks
Ing said,
20 January 2012 at 17:19
Probably not, they sort of intertwine.
It can also vary between individuals and situations. For some it may just be natural to hyperfocus, for others it’s a strategy to keep one’s mind from losing attention.
I find that in myself it comes naturally if I’m working on something that I really want to do, and more of a strategy to not get distracted if it’s something that I’m not interested in doing at that time, or if I’m trying to focus in an overstimulating environment.
In he latter case it requires a lot more energy to sustain attention.