Asperger's Syndrome and pony collecting...

[applejackbunny]

Hi everypony!

I have been doing some reading about AS and much of it describes me (although I don't have a diagnosis or anything!). It would appear that I share many of the traits of people who have it including the desire to immerse myself in the world of fantasy and imagination. Apparently, this can manifest itself in toy collecting...

There is also a tendency to want to organise and categorise these collections...which again...I do, and a need to have a complete set of something...which again, we can probably all relate to on here!

I know that lots of people *without* AS are collectors too and that many of the things collectors do (such as categorising and obsessing!) are just associated with being a collector, but from what I've read, and what I know about myself and my childhood, there seems a lot more to it than that...for me anyway.

It is, apparently, much less common for girls to be diagnosed, because it's traditionally been viewed as a male condition. However, many diagnoses are missed in girls and this may be skewing the figures. So, many more girls may have it and are just better at masking it, so it goes unnoticed.

Maybe have a look into it yourselves before you reply so you know what some of the traits are, but I'd be interested to know how many of you guys are out there.

Anyone else feel that they may have some of the traits of AS?

[Tak]

I'm pretty sure I have it. It was so uncommon and looked down upon when I was young that people just didn't want to know. I have a parent, grandparents, uncles, and my brother who exhibit classic symptoms. I have several younger cousins who have been officially diagnosed. Everything in my house (including canned goods) is organized alphabetically, by category, and by date. I love reorganizing. I just went through all my ponies (2000+ now) yesterday and rebrushed all their hair.

[autieluna]

I'm autistic and yes, lots of people are in the world of toy collecting for several reasons, such as a less exact development of having certain tastes at a certain age, organizing, and special interest fixations. If you want to look into it, I 100% recommend Amythest Schaber, aka Neurowonderful, who does Ask an Autistic videos on YT. They are the first person I watched when I was questioning, and easy to understand without any of the jargon.

You're welcome to PM me anytime with any questions too! It's a big interest of mine along with being it, so I'd likely know where to point you with lots of questions.

[melodys_angel]

I think...one can have certain traits but not have the condition.  It could be linked to soo many other things..just because you see yourself as fitting into something doesn't mean that it may be the case.

That said, if you feel you need to know for sure, talk to your doctor and see if he or she can arrange something   Compared to 20 years ago, id assume that things ay be a bit more even.

[autieluna]

I think...one can have certain traits but not have the condition.  It could be linked to soo many other things..just because you see yourself as fitting into something doesn't mean that it may be the case.

That said, if you feel you need to know for sure, talk to your doctor and see if he or she can arrange something   Compared to 20 years ago, id assume that things ay be a bit more even.

Unfortunately, doctors are overall very uneducated + outdated when it comes to education about autism, and still likely to not diagnose on the basis of odd, particular things such as being a girl or being able to make jokes. 

But you're absolutely right, there's a whole spectrum of people in-between being autistic or completely neurotypical too, I think.  Brains do all kinds of things all over the place.

[kaoskat]

I don't know and really, I don't care. I am who I am, the way that I am. I don't need help, treatment, or to understand myself better. I'm good with the way I am, thanks. I have plenty of other issues and it took a long time for me to stop feeling like I was broken. I've been much better since I stopped letting people tell me I was defective and I'm not going back again now by looking up random internet sites telling me all the ways they think I'm broken.

[melodys_angel]

Im actually posting form a bit of experience.  Not with aspergers per say (I know I don't have it but I fit in with every single point the OP listed) but with doctors and specialists and trying to get a positive result on something else I know I have.

It took a second opinion but it was a big fat 'yes! You most certainly have ____'

Its not the doctor that will determine it.  Its the doctor that will arrange to see someone that can   And yeah, sometimes it takes a second opinion, especially if the first one is a bit set in their ways.

[Princess Lala]

I was diagnosed with AS when I was very very little by a neurologist, in my toddler years I was showing symptoms. My grandma always took me to see this doctor, I can remember quite well. I was told I showed symptoms of other forms of mild autism to where its still hard to pinpoint the word for the wiring of my brain so I was later diagnosed as simply "spectrum disorder". Honestly most people wouldnt know I had it unless I tell them and I never use it as an excuse IRL. Honestly I dont care all that much because I just want to be myself. I forget I have it as ive managed it pretty well growing up but honestly I still have my bouts. I get very uncomfortble and freak out if I do something out of routine, like if i dont go to certain stores certain days of the week (though im willing to travel to florida and japan!). Ive always organized my toys and even my clothes and pencil boxes ever and over again. Im also particular about certain fabrics and textures as some seem to really upset me, its not just about organizing things. I was also professionally diagnosed with synesthesia by two different doctors in my teens which could be linked to my disorder- i can literally taste and " feel" certain colors which is why I tend to go for more pastel things. Touching things like easter colors really relaxes me, especially light pink or even neon blue-purple. So many pastel ponies and bright rainbow pokemon in my bedroom LOL!

[CloudyGlow]

I have autism.  Collecting things seems to come with it.  My dad is undiagnosed, but I think he has autism too.  We both love collecting things.

And I totally relate to wanting to organize things.  I love making lists of my ponies. When I was little I liked to put the toys in toy store shelves in neat rows. In hindsight it is pretty obvious I have autism, but like you said girls often go undiagnosed. I was 15 or so when I was diagnosed.

[Tak]

I don't condone anyone using it as an excuse and anyone in the autism spectrum disorders is in no way broken. Different brains work different ways. Though I've been told I have as by a psychologist, we agreed not to record it as it really wouldn't change anything. I do object to children being put on dangerous meds for as instead of acceptance and understanding. Most people who have as whether they know it or not can function just fine in society. EVERYONE has bouts of bad times. All that randomness said
Aspies (as my aunt calls it) are just normal people. Using different sections of your brain than an 'average' person' is just fine. 

[Koudoawaia]

Of course I was born with it but also of course while I was growing up people had barely heard of Asperger's. My own family and myself hadn't so I've only been officially diagnosed since I was 19. Make sure you get an official diagnosis like I did instead of trying to diagnose yourself. I also hate the 'term' Aspie'. =P It sounds dumb to me.

[Tak]

Of course I was born with it but also of course while I was growing up people had barely heard of Asperger's. My own family and myself hadn't so I've only been officially diagnosed since I was 19. Make sure you get an official diagnosis like I did instead of trying to diagnose yourself. I also hate the 'term' Aspie'. =P It sounds dumb to me.

I'm diagnosed with enough.  I agree with you about the term aspirations. It sounds like an insect.

[applejackbunny]

Wow, thanks, that's more replies than I was expecting! A few points were made which I'd like to respond to...

Firstly, I plan on trying to get a professional diagnosis and have no intentions of trying to self-diagnose. I am aware of the fact that a person may have a few traits of something, but may not actually have the thing itself...

Secondly, it isn't just a few traits! It's pretty much 90% of everything I've read that chimes completely with who I am, from the clothes I wear, the books I read, what I played with as a child, my sense of morality, the way I see the world and others...I mean, it goes on and on. There is hardly an aspect of my personality that isn't mentioned as being a trait, so, for me personally (and I stress that this is only my personal view) I would like a diagnosis as I think it will help me.

Thirdly, everyone is different and for some, 'labels' are a good and liberating thing, whereas for others, they are emphatically not. I totally get that, and respect it, but for *me* a diagnosis (label) would seem like a positive and helpful thing.

Lastly, I don't believe that Asperger's is a negative thing. On the contrary, there are many wonderful attributes and things to be admired. However, the social aspects of it have definitely impacted upon my life in a negative way and so knowing why, and being able to put a label on it, would be very helpful to me. It is also liberating to know that there are many others out there who face the same challenges (good and bad!).



Post Merge: March 13, 2016, 01:49:30 PM

I don't know and really, I don't care. I am who I am, the way that I am. I don't need help, treatment, or to understand myself better. I'm good with the way I am, thanks. I have plenty of other issues and it took a long time for me to stop feeling like I was broken. I've been much better since I stopped letting people tell me I was defective and I'm not going back again now by looking up random internet sites telling me all the ways they think I'm broken.

Ok 

[bladed]

i was diagnosed with AS a few years back i would definitely look into getting a diagnosis if possible, even if it turns out you dont have it theres no harm done right? i've always had a habit of collecting things, though when i was younger it was more random things like fabric samplers and painted rocks

[applejackbunny]

Thanks bladed, I will do : )