Autism

[mamadeb]

Last night, as I was fixing cups of herbal tea after dinner (and trying to find a box of "real" tea for my stepfather), I mentioned to my mother that I trying to arrange to be evaluated for Asperger's.

And she said that my younger brother had mentioned his belief that he was concerned about that for himself, too.

Note: my oldest brother is severely autistic. Note, too, that my next oldest brother is also socially awkward and admits to difficulty reading people.

Yeah. All four of us showing various signs or even self-diagnosing (always risky, which is why I'm looking for a professional evaluation) as being on the spectrum. My mother was wondering if we got it from *her*, but Mom is good with people. Dad, on the other hand...

jonbaker also shows some traits. If there is a genetic component (I repeat. All four widely spaced children of one family all possibly somewhere on the spectrum), that would have made childrearing interesting.

Comments

[kressel.livejournal.com]

BS"D

I think you're plenty sociable and have nothing to fear. I am less sociable, but I definitely don't want to find out where I am on the spectrum. I don't think I'll like the news.

[mamadeb.livejournal.com]

I'm fine one on one, and okay in small groups, but put me in a large gathering (say, around the kiddush table in our shul), and suddenly I can't think. The only exceptions are fannish gatherings, where I know I can talk to anyone, and that no one will care if I pull out a book or my knitting. j

The worst that can happen is that I'd be told I was on the spectrum, and I suspect that already. Or that I'm just poorly socialized, and okay, fine.