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Autism - Asperger's Minus One
Expert: James Michael Roan - 10/31/2009
Question
In the process of being diagnosed with Attention Deficit Disorder two years ago, I was told by the diagnosing professional that, save for one important point, he might have diagnosed me with a form of autism called "Asperger's Syndrome" instead of ADD. He said that on that one characteristic I was exactly the opposite, and, since that was the most important indicator of all, I did not have the syndrome in question. I was quite relieved. But over the past six months, three people whose relatives have Asperger's Syndrome have remarked on the possibility as well, and I'm a bit concerned. I have found ways to manage the ADD, and so have avoided medications and the like. The prospect of having to learn "counter-Asperger" disciplines as well is daunting, and I thought I'd better satisfy myself one way or the other about that missing symptom before I commit to any professional diagnosis (self-diagnosis seems foolish and perhaps dangerous). The non-symptom in question is this: while persons with Asperger's Syndrome are said to have great difficulty with non-literal use of language, I am VERY good at polysemy -- riddles, double-entendre, even comlex etymologic metaphor. It's what makes life worthwhile for me. If this does indeed preclude diagnosis with Asperger's Syndrome, I can put this whole thing behind me; if it does not, I don't want to deceive myself and avoid doing such (non-drug) things as may be necessary. So, can you please tell me whether Asperger's is incompatible with my skill at polysemy?
Thank you.
Dean
Answer
Hi Dean;
Please keep in mind that at no time am I diagnosing anything nor am I ruling out any potential condition, just providing guidance and direction.
Asperger's syndrome (AS), pragmatic semantic disorder, ADD, and nonverbal learning disability look very similar to one another because similar areas of the brain are negatively affected. Every one affected by AS is unique: no two cognitive profiles are the same. It's "generally" true that folks with AS tend to not be abstract thinkers and are generally more concrete and literal. That having been said, I have met folks with AS that are abstract thinkers. Does that rule out AS? I don't think so. Labeling is inherently problematic because it is definitive and does not allow for much variability in individuals. Many folks with AS are brilliant in most endeavors.
What would better help me answer your question is for you to provide me with your behaviors that lead you and others to think you have AS.
Kind regards,
James
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Bio
James Roan is a certified school psychologist who has been consulting in the areas of autism, Asperger’s Syndrome, and learning difficulties in the United States and in Ireland for over ten years (http://www.jamesroan.com). James earned his M.Ed. in School Psychology and M. Ed. in Adult Education and receives ongoing post graduate training in autism at the University of Washington’s Autism Center. James Roan has traveled to Galway, Limerick, Mayo, Clare, Dublin, Cork, Waterford, and other cities and counties across Ireland assessing children and adults, and consulting with solicitors (lawyers) in defense of children with disabilities. James Roan was the consulting assessment professional responsible for many of the autism and AD/HD screening tools and other content for Access Special Needs.Com. James Roan consulted with the graduate department of the Waterford Institute of Technology in Waterford Ireland in the development of their graduate program for the certification of private autism tutors. James has conducted formal assessments of students in the Autism Unit in the Claddagh National School in County Galway Ireland.
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