Usually I write mostly about children or adolescents on the autism spectrum. However, I've been getting quite a number of emails lately from adults wondering if they have Asperger's Syndrome or not, so I decided to share some information from my book to be published March 25, 41 Things to Know About Autism. Asperger Syndrome (AS) is a high functioning form of autism that has only been an official diagnosis since 1994. Adults with AS who seek help with challenges they face are sometimes misdiagnosed with depression, bipolar disorder, or other mental illnesses. It is important that adults questioning whether or not they have AS, seek the services of a professional experienced in assessing AS in adults (see resources below).
If you are an adult with characteristics resembling AS, why does it matter if you get a diagnosis or not? If you are functioning well and have a job, and are happy with the life you have, then there is no reason to get a diagnosis. On the other hand, if you are struggling in important areas in your life, a diagnosis can provide a framework for understanding and learning about behavioral and emotional challenges that have seemed unexplainable until now. Although challenges in sensory integration (the ability to organize sensory information for use by the brain) are not considered diagnostic criteria, I have yet to meet a person with Asperger's who does not have a sensory challenge of one kind or the other.
Some areas of difficulty where Asperger's Syndrome could possibly be a factor:
Why you should get a diagnosis, if indeed you do have Asperger's Syndrome:
How to find out if you have Asperger's Syndrome or not:
To find out what some adults have to say about growing up with AS, read Autism Life Skills.