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. Real stories, real people - your opinion counts Quotes:" From my clinical experience I consider that children and adults with Aspergers Syndrome have a different, not defective, way of thinking." Tony Attwood . "Maybe we need to stop trying to get our children to conform and let them be who they are, stop trying to change them and educate society that there is in fact a whole group of people who are just different.” Alyson Bradley .
There is no greater impotence in all the world like knowing you are right and that the wave of the world is wrong, yet the wave crashes upon you. - Norman Mailer _______________________________ . Autistic Spectrum - and so much more! Welcome - Associated conditions such as ADHD... and other PDDs, including family, friends and / or anyone and everyone who knows or just wants to know, as we can learn so much from each other. Society in general seems to want to leave it up to the so called professionals, who want to treat us as if we are ill. I am just trying to help raise awareness so that one day we will be allowed our differences, without having to feel we need to justify them. . We are all unique individuals on or off the autism spectrum, just some of us a lot less understood. Society caters for what the majority, mainstream see as "norm". Being on the autism spectrum does not mean we are ill or need to be cured, we are just simply differently minded and what's really needed is correct support if needed and lots of understanding, time for you all to step back and rethink the way you see things, then maybe less people with autism would feel shut out, or at odds with society in general. . It is too easy to put the NT or any other label onto others, but next to impossible to know for sure that it is the correct label! I am not trying to label, just wanting to generalize without having to continually explain throughout text. I am more than aware of the many diversities, so no offense intended. . AS: Autism Spectrum - some think to understand and embrace ASD: Autism Spectrum disorders or maybe we should be saying "differences" as are a range of developmental disorders / disabilities from mild to severe, often accompanied with many associated conditions and no two people on the autism spectrum are alike. Aspie/Autie: person who is on the Autism Spectrum (some of us prefer not to say if we have high functioning, low functioning, Aspergers, autism...). I also prefer not to differ between aspie and autie as feel we are all on the autism spectrum and share traits where ever on the autism spectrum we are - so will use the word Aspie...
NT: Neuro typical - Just a way of indicating a person who is not on the Autism Spectrum, as there is no "normal" - it’s just a concept that a majority of people agree on, as we are all born as unique individuals. I know some people like to say just "typical" but I will just use NT to explain not on autism spectrum, no offence intended. . Aspergers there still is generally a lack of understanding and not enough support but to me raising awareness is so important, because to not know, is to stay lost, and not really be able to know or understand your true self. Can we ever be 100% sure that any label! is correct, but we need to understand who we are. Many of us misunderstood, confused, wrongly diagnosed, it's not an easy path as aspergers has only been apart of the diagnostic criteria since 1994. But it's better to know, than never have known... . Education and awareness really is key to a better society where we can help eliminate, as much as possible the prejudgment and stigma before it happens. Quite often the real problem with having something like Aspergers is having to continually deal with others who do not understand, which can lead to feeling frustrated, as the so called "normal world" often see us as outsiders and keep us at arm’s length. Aspergers is just the way I'm wired; we are all different and have different symptoms Aspies, Auties and NT's etc.. the world is made up of many diversities, but we need to at least be able to understand who we are. . With a condition like Asperger it is exceptionally hard because no 2 people are the same. We may have some of the same traits, but we are all individuals in our selves, different personalities, different circumstances, different associated conditions and each effected differently. So generalizing about people with Aspergers is difficult, as if you know one person on the autism spectrum, you just know one! We are unique individuals and share traits which have been behind some of the greatest human achievements to date. . .  .
I live in their world, but play in mine Think differently about autism .. Our 'symptoms' are in fact ourselves, not some unfortunate illness we suffer. We are unique individuals which the so-called 'normal' world underestimate and even despise, but often do not try to understand. We have been made to believe in a stereotype of 'normality' for our children, and to panic, fear and react when our offspring don't achieve. As far too often it’s the associated conditions we need help with, but the NT's continue to blame our Autism Spectrum Disorders for everything! . Every person is different, whether you have Aspergers/High Functioning Autism, Autism, Dyslexia, or whatever you’re still human – what is the norm, do you or anyone else have the right to dictate. Someone once said to me "if you had a chance of being normal, would you" and I replied "is there a normal, aren't we all individuals in our own right, and to me thats like asking me to be someone else - so no I think I will keep me".. . Aspergers is not disease, not a disability and we do not need a cure. Just recognition, under - standing and support Alyson Bradley
| | . Depending on how you look at things Asperger people can be considered weird/odd! Not so much when they're with other Asperger people... Alyson Bradley | . Autism without mental retardation Disorders/intellectual disability are said to be the same thing by many experts. I tend to agree and feel it's all the same spectrum, just different levels of ability at different things. I feel all aspies have similar traits just at different levels - I'm all for one Full Official Criteria, instead of two, maybe it would be easier for the professionals then to get it right. Also I feel at times aspergers does not get taken as seriously as autism , and it should as can still have huge consequenties. . "Asperger’s Syndrome, but I cannot be exact as the lines of definition are so closely intertwined between this term and others. The reason is that there are many autistic disorders, referred to as the Autism Spectrum and they are often diagnosed on the basis of behaviour. Unfortunately, there are no specific genetic or biological markers that accurately identify a person as being on this autism spectrum. People on the spectrum do have certain traits in common such as impairment in social interaction, impairment in communication, and restricted and/or repetitive patterns of behaviour, interests and activities. Autism in all forms tends to first manifest itself in childhood even before the age three and the differences within the autism spectrum are related to both severity and the presence or absence of some symptoms. - MS Carsley" . "Autism represents a self-generated and self-contained world, a secret well of unfiltered Imagination in Which Nobody stuck on the inside ever ges to fully leave and nobody on the outside really gets to climb in.”‘ David Cohen - His book: A Perfect World (is about a fathers journey to unriddle the mysteries of autism). . . .
Labels! Just want to make one thing very clear. I do not want to put any labels on anyone, and you could say Aspergers is a label. But it describes a neurological wiring which is an intrinsic characteristic of ours, unfortunately still a very misunderstood one. Asperser’s, just like neurotypicism, is neither good nor bad, but simply a label that applies to a particular type of brain functioning. . Aspergers and a lot of the associated conditions / symptoms are related to brain chemicals, high or low, so maybe we should all avoid specific labels, where possible, and just treat the condition/symptoms!. But we do need to raise awareness, because otherwise people like me will stay undiagnosed and suffer unnecessary as I have in the past. . Making Sense - The Beginning (May 2008)
Parts of my life journey into adulthood and coming to terms with who I am... http://asplanet.info/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=83&Itemid=129 'While I do not wish to give myself a label, it’s some think I cannot avoid. I can no longer pretend to be like you, and I have always known I was different anyway. To not acknowledge who I now know I am would only cause further pain for you and me. It’s not the label that stigmatizes us it’s our differences. As I begin to make sense I will share and hopefully help you understand." . Wrong diagnosis: In the past many people have been misdiagnosed with various conditions. Some people on the autism spectrum do have associated conditions and some do not. But one of the biggest problems is the misconception that people on the spectrum always have some sort of mental disorder, which is not the case. Children on the spectrum can be very bright and parents often think there oddities are due to them being gifted.
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But generally the most common mis-diagnoses are: Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), Oppositional Defiant Disorder (OD), Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD), and Mood Disorders such as Cyclothymic Disorder, Dysthymic Disorder, Depression, Bi-Polar Disorder and Schizophrenia. These common mis-diagnoses stem from an ignorance among many professionals about specific social and emotional characteristics of people on the spectrum. Just one example of many: "Something wasn't adding up" about my daughters behavior for her parents when she was 2 years old, her mother said. In fourth grade, she was diagnosed correctly. Before that, doctors thought she had cerebral palsy, a seizure disorder, then attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder and oppositional defiant disorder....... . My own mother was never diagnosed with Aspergers unlike me, I'm lucky at least now I know and understand who I am, but my mother was wrongly diagnosed with metal disorders and had quite a few electroconvulsive treatments over the years, so had to deal with her many suicide attempts and having an unavailable mother who always felt like she never belonged and consequent of this, like so many others she was never happy in this world. I continue to hear so many similar stories, of wrong diagnosis and feeling of alienation. . Unfortunately without raising awareness of Aspergers, it will never become just another fact, like being left or right handed. If people do not know of or understand, how can we help those in need? By understanding better, eventually less people will be left in the dark, confused and misunderstood. Only by discussing and bringing the unknown into the open, can it become norm. To me just like being color blind, it’s just a different way of thinking and seeing things. That’s why it’s vital we all listen to each other and unite on this. . . I do not have a lifelong disability. Aspergers is part of who I am, I’m ok with that, why cannot you be! Raising Awareness of Aspergers Syndrome: http://asplanet.info/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=32&Itemid=67 . .
. Tony Attwood: "I think the main advances have come not from the research literature but from conversations and discussions with those who have Asperger’s syndrome, by reading not the scientific textbooks but their autobiographies. My greatest knowledge of Asperger’s has come from those who have it. Other great advances are the recognition of the challenges they face, and some way of helping them to cope. What may also be occurring is a change in attitude towards these attitudes and, I hope, a greater emphasis on their talents rather than their deficits.". Can view more of this interview with Adam Feinstein on web site forum under anything relating to autism... Book recommendation: The Complate Guide to Aspergers Syndrome by Tony Attwood : http://www.amazon.com/gp/reader/1843104954/ref=sib_dp_pt/102-8137256-1200145#reader-link. I feel this quote really helps to sum up our differences...
Quote "The person usually has a strong desire to seek knowledge, truth and perfection with a different set of priorities than would be expected with other people. There is also a different perception of situations and sensory experiences. The overriding priority may be to solve a problem rather than satisfy the social or emotional needs of others." - Tony Attwood.___________________
. I totally agree with Tony Attwood, we all need to work together and its is refreshing to know there are professional not on the spectrum that really get it.. . I feel one of the problems still lies with big organizations, over structure, fighting for funding…instead of dealing with the real problems and working with the people who can really help. We truly need to all come together, otherwise people on the spectrum are left to try and fit the puzzle together themselves. I also feel with so many different individuals working on different aspects of the spectrum, it is quite disjointed and hard for an out sided to get an overall view of the whole picture. . | Impossible task | . Sometimes it can feel like an endless tasks to convince people that you or your children may be on the Autism Spectrum Disorder and then where on the spectrum another huge task. I myself have felt at times,it’s like trying to achieve the impossible just to get diagnosed, let alone know what to do and where to go. Their is help out there, so do not give up - your the best judge of yourself and/or children and if I can help in any way, I will… . | . When Dr. Temple Grandin was a child, she was labeled autistic (low-functioning) and her parents were told she should be institutionalized. Some people argue that no child should be given a label like low-functioning. Autistics themselves are beginning to speak out against the low functioning labels they received as children, and the abuse they suffered in institutions. Abuse of the disabled, or those labeled disabled, is unfortunately an all too common problem... Arguably the most famous living individual with autism, Temple Grandin boasts a highly successful career in the cattle industry and a prodigious collection of autobiographical works. Almost certainly the most public figure with autism, Ms. Grandin also has decades of practice communicating with people about what it's like to live as an autistic individual in the "neurotypical" world. . If you've heard Grandin speak before, you might be surprised to hear her voice in this interview -- her typical monotonic "robot" voice has softened a bit over the years, as I'm sure she's aware. She's grown expert in expressing her experience in a way that people without autism will understand, in part because over the course of a lifetime she's put a lot of effort into understanding how her way of being in the world diverges from the "neurotypical." . Knowing is the first step to really understanding yourself The first steps are never easy, it’s not that simply as from day one we are all born as unique individuals, and we are all altered and changed by life experiences and our environmental situations. But a circle does not fit into a square, and if you have always felt the outside, just different – maybe there is a lot more to you than even you realized, just maybe you have been gifted with AS (Aspergers Syndrome, Advanced Species, Alien Species….any other suggestions!) . There are so many more AS diagnosed and undiagnosed individuals out there, in fact I have heard recently, it is estimated that as many as every 1 in 100 people has an Autism Spectrum Disorder, this includes people who have Aspergers. I’m not saying any of you need to advertise the fact if you have AS, or even be diagnosed. But you really do need to know, to understand. I want to make people aware AS is not an illness. Usually the AS people are quite talented, creative, innovative – but often so miss understood. We are not all the same, so professionals out there remember we all individuals just like everyone else, so when giving advice or diagnosing us it would help for you to remember that!
. Word Echoes Sound everywhere, but no one to listen AF Bradley Writing is not my best subject, due to being dyslexic and more... but I have so much to say, and even if it does take me 10 xs longer than anyone else (bare with me) – if only you knew the amount of times I recheck para’s and still get bits wrong, so frustrating. It’s like my mind is 100 xs faster, than I could ever write or type and its auto for me to muddle words around the wrong way, so I read and re read – until correct! Still I’m working on that one. And for all you aspies who are obsessive about things being 100% please bare with me. . I want to let you into my personal journey in the hope that I can inspire and help others. I was diagnosed with Aspergers in July 07 and told have bipolar traits which I seem to have under control now!, but maybe that does explain my obsessive compulsive tendencies and anxiety... and there is more, just before that May.07 diagnosed with Dyslexia & Dyspraxia. Undiagnosed: I'm sure I also have/had ADHD when younger and still do (still very hyper). and have clutters a speech disorder, when younger speech was corrected, and then have/had lots of sight problems.. . Still we are who we are and what I do now realize all these symptoms are just a part of who I am, just happy to know the reasons for my differences, even if the neuro typical do not always seem to understand. Was it all a shock, yes a huge one especially at my age, but I tend to deal with things head on hence this site.
. ...hopefully as awareness grows, this site will reach more of you...
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First I wanted to know for me
Then I wanted to know for you Now I want the world to agree How special & great AS can be |  | Night Time Shadows AF Bradley
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Autism Research: After doing some of my own research lately, I have read some ridiculous reasons for autism, like caused by toxic substances, over-vaccination and the list goes on.. I like to think we are evolution... all species have to grow, adapt, and change to survive! Most autistic people I know seem to have quite complex minds, the thing is no one really knows the answers, just like the universe. . However while researchers have yet to understand what causes AS, there is likely a genetic component. Recent research results suggest current hormone abnormalities in women with AS and their mothers. Direct investigations of serum testosterone levels and genetic susceptibility to high testosterone production or sensitivity in women with AS would illuminate the origin of these conditions, research on going, view current research: http://www.autismresearchcentre.com/arc/default.asp .
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White Hot AF Bradley _________________________________ After years of fighting the unknown, I feel I have been acting a part in this world, it was like my life was on hold until now. I have no energy to want to please everyone else anymore, just want to be able to at last be me. At times it can be very lonely and feel quite isolated, but I know opening up to the world is the right thing to do, and as other people start their new journeys, I will be there for them. Hopefully as awareness grows, this site will reach more of you... . ___________________________________________________________________________________ . Apologies if I mislead anyone by implying that people on the autism spectrum are better
than or gifted, when first started site was I guess a little eager to be positive. But I feel all children are a gift, and that some are just a little more different than others. Alyson Bradley . 
A Huge thank you to my son Stuart and his friend Riley, Who helped me set up web site and for their ongoing support . . . Thank you so much for all your comments - Add comments below
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