I had a lot of problems growing up because I felt socially awkward and did not fit in with my peers. My challenges mainly were with social issues. Getting along with people, reading facial expressions, and body language all seemed completely foreign to me.
I was finally diagnosed with High Functioning Autism/Asperger’s Syndrome when I was 17 years old. Most people in Texas didn’t know what Asperger’s Syndrome was at that time. I’ll be 32 in December so over ½ my life I didn’t even know I had Asperger’s. Since then I have learned how to function in a world with people.
Here is how I did it.
One of the things I did was to enlist the help from a social skills coach. Learning from a professional how to read body language helped me a lot. It made me feel more comfortable to be around people. Now I coach tennis, and that’s a big part of my life. I even have friends and do things socially, like participating in sports, going to movies and enjoying artwork.
I now live independently (something my parents weren’t sure I ever would be able to do), teach tennis, work the front desk, and work data entry and bookkeeping at an office.
There are three suggestions I have for others on the higher end of the spectrum:
- First: get a pet! Animals are always good to have. I have 2 dogs that are delightful, as they are comforting, playful, and happy. They bring up my mood. I would recommend a pet because they are easier to connect to than people; being loyal, loving, straightforward, and obvious.
- Second: don’t be afraid to find the right support group, and to reach out to other people with your same issues.
- Lastly: think about enlisting the help of a life skills coach to help you navigate social scenarios that are a must.
by Terrilee Tatum
A graduate of Abilene Christian University, Jennifer had a long career in TV Broadcasting. Upon learning her oldest son Sam had a form of Autism called Asperger’s Syndrome, she left her career and became a full-time mother to both of her sons. Jennifer elicited the participation of her family and together they produced several independent programs including a children’s animated series titled Ameriquest Kids, as well as a documentary and book titled, Coping to Excelling: Solutions for School-age Children Diagnosed with High-Functioning Autism or Aspergers Syndrome. She formed the nonprofit Asperger101 to provide on-going free resources related to ASD at Aspergers101.com and has implemented the Texas Driving with Disability Program and continues to grow the statewide initiative today. She and her husband have recently retired to their property in the Texas Hill Country.
I don’t have many friends and have had to learn things like respecting others personal space. I’ve had to work on my body hygiene as I have had complaints of body odour. Working in a professional environment has been a challenge and I have had to work on my melt downs. I frequently make comments that others complain are offensive so I have had to work on this and it has been difficult. I am 52 and probably only close to my elderly mother.
I was diagnosed with Asperger Syndrome (ASD) at 45 years of age (just over 2 years ago). The diagnosis explained much of my experience over the last 40+ years (extremely strong attention to detail, difficulty with multi-tasking, strong preference for routine over constant change, etc.). By the time that Asperger Syndrome (ASD) became more commonly known in the US, I was already a college graduate with experience in financial and retail services.
As opposed to having a explained results of the individuals
guidance together with the individual getting trained, equally
activities can sleep a lttle bit, to make a relying on relationship and give rise to that relationship.
Only some seasoned and devoted Ce – Chart training organizations offers
the very best quality Ce – MAP training at inexpensive value with
guaranteed good results. Before looking at Quality Management (QM) methods, it will help you understand far better
if we return a bit and possess a glance at these approaches.
It’s a shame you don’t have a donate button! I’d certainly donate
to this excellent blog! I guess for now i’ll settle for book-marking and adding your RSS feed to
my Google account. I look forward to new updates
and will share this website with my Facebook group.
Talk soon!