I'm 24 years old, and I've never met or spoken with anyone else who had Aspergers.

[MoeSzyslak]

I am always amazed when they say the autism rate. What do they say now 1 in 88? Where are they? I know my niece, my son and myself. How come I never see/meet other autistic people?

1. yes. I was severely bullied all through grade school.

2. I am 44 years old and I can say I have never met someone that I feel like I have something in common with. To this date, i still have no friends to witness to it.

3. Yes. i struggle with this. Religion is very unlogical and unprovable. ( I guess it can be disproven either.) The bacteria analogy doesn't work for me because you can see bacteria; get a microscope. The reason I am Christian is due to experiental knowledge. I have tried many religions through the years and none of them seemed to "work". It's only while I was trying Christianity that God actually answered some prayers; and not things that can be explained away as coincidence.

So I can't answer the question and it still confuses me and pulls me away at times. But, ultimately my experiental knowledge pulls me back. I can't explain some of these things away.

As far as when people just say "have faith" etc.. I never hear these sayings. See bullet two above: no friends or acquaintances. People saying these to me would presuppose they actually talk to me. On the average sunday, I hear "good morning" from the door greeter and that is all.

 

[motherprayer]

As far as when people just say "have faith" etc.. I never hear these sayings. See bullet two above: no friends or acquaintances. People saying these to me would presuppose they actually talk to me. On the average sunday, I hear "good morning" from the door greeter and that is all.

Amen! I've found this same problem. I attend a congregation now that, praise God, accepts me for who I am and where I'm at. Even with them being loving enough to give me space while still encouraging me to enter in to fellowship, it still took a full 2 years to become comfortable.

Most churches are not like mine, however. My pastor is one of a kind. He encourages a deep, personal relationship with the Lord, while discouraging things like cliques and gossip. And he goes to extremes to do it too!

http://m.youtube.com/#/user/ntownbaptistchurch

This is our YouTube Channel. We put our services online so that those who cannot attend worship can see them, but we made them public so that others may see. On our April 14th service, my pastor put on a wig! Just to show that we are each unique individuals who have strengths that no one else has, and we need to embrace those strengths, even if they don't seem like they are "good" at times lol

 

[jackmt]

I am always amazed when they say the autism rate. What do they say now 1 in 88? Where are they? I know my niece, my son and myself. How come I never see/meet other autistic people?

That number, 1 in 88, includes everyone on the spectrum: Classic, or severe, Autism (a la Rain Man), Asperger's Syndrome (AS), Non-verbal Learning Disorder (NLD), High Functioning Autism (HFA), and Pervasive Development Disorder/Not Otherwise Specified (PDD/NOS). About 75% of us are on the so-called "milder" end of the spectrum. Most of us appear 'normal.' You have probably met hundreds of us/them, but just didn't realize it for many reasons. We tend to be shy in public. Many more isolate and so are invisible.

By the way, I heard someone say that to cure any child of autism, you only have to put him in a room and close the door. It is only in the context of social settings that autism becomes apparent and troublesome.

I started an adult Asperger's support group here in Missoula. I met a speech therapist who was interested in Asperger's. She is our facilitator; she keeps us from chasing into too many rabbit holes. We have about 10 members and may be growing; some have dropped out temporarily and a few have dropped in and may join us. Several of us have made friendships. Take the initiative in your town. Own your Asperger's and help the others like you who are isolated.

 

[motherprayer]

By the way, I heard someone say that to cure any child of autism, you only have to put him in a room and close the door. It is only in the context of social settings that autism becomes apparent and troublesome.

That's so amazingly true! When I'm on here, I'm able to interact comfortably. Its when I'm face to face I have trouble.

 

[Sabertooth]

...

By the way, I heard someone say that to cure any child of autism, you only have to put him in a room and close the door. It is only in the context of social settings that autism becomes apparent and troublesome....

Uhhh, I think that you meant to say, "Just put him in a room with other Aspies and close the door..."

Just putting him in a room [closet?] and closing the door is still pretty much frowned upon... (Well, maybe if there is an internet-connected computer in there, it would be okay...)

 

[jackmt]

Uhhh, I think that you meant to say, "Just put him in a room with other Aspies and close the door..."

Just putting him in a room [closet?] and closing the door is still pretty much frowned upon... (Well, maybe if there is an internet-connected computer in there, it would be okay...)

I am quite comfortable in a room by myself with myself alone. In that respect I am like any NT alone in a room. Put another Aspie in with me and I would exhibit my Aspie symptoms, they just probably wouldn't be as troublesome as if you put an NT with me.

 

[motherprayer]

I am quite comfortable in a room by myself with myself alone. In that respect I am like any NT alone in a room. Put another Aspie in with me and I would exhibit my Aspie symptoms, they just probably wouldn't be as troublesome as if you put an NT with me.

What does NT stand for? I haven't heard that term before?

 

[hedrick]

What does NT stand for? I haven't heard that term before?

Neurotypical, i.e. non-Aspie.

 

[hjs]

Parager,

You are not the only person who struggles with Asperger's. I don't know all the facets of what causes it, but I know that there is a spiritual component. If you ask the Lord Jesus into your heart, and ask for forgiveness for skins, and start a relationship with Him-that's where I would start. John 3:16. Everyone needs the Lord. I really would start reading the New Testament. You can read the Old Testament, too. But the Lord wants to show you that He makes all things new. That we are not bound by the Law anymore even though the law shows us more clearly our sins, and how there is no way that one can earn his or her way to heaven. Its impossible. Thinking bad things is a sin-looking at someone lustfully is considered adultery by the Lord. If you have done one sin your whole entire life, you will not be able to be justified in God's sight by keeping the law. You have to accept Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior. He washes your sins away. After you accept Him, you will still struggle with sin, but you can be released from the bondage of sin. In other words, you will still make mistakes but you can ask for forgiveness and the Lord will forget your sin. He pardons you because of Jesus Christ. He sees His Son when He sees you. That is why He can forgive you. It has nothing to do with us. This does not mean we should continue living a sinful lifestyle-going out to the bar and getting drunk every friday night, or having sexual relationships before marriage, and continuing to live a lifestyle of sin. Our lives should change. We shouldn't be living the same life that we lived before we accepted Christ, even though we will make mistakes and do things we shouldn't do. Habitual sin is more spiteful, in your face God kind of living. We don't really desire to shake our fists at God all the time through our lifestyle the way we did before we were saved. We are not perfect and every day we will make mistakes, whether in thought of deed. Our goal is to be repentant and try not to do those things. We will fail, but we can ask the Holy Spirit for help to overcome those things that we really struggle with. There should be some humility. We should want to obey God a little more than we did before we were saved. I hope that makes sense.

I would start there. Back to the Asperger's-the Lord will heal the things in your life that are seriously hindering you from Serving and loving the Lord, and having relationships with others in a Godly way. He wants people to have relationships. A lot of Asperger people struggle with relationships and this is not God's will. He wants you to fellowship with other people in Christ Jesus. He wants you to have joy and not to live in darkness. He will fix the things in you that need to be fixed. Some weaknesses that you have may not be fixed because they are good character builders and will keep you humble. But if something is causing destruction in your life or spiritual problems, it needs to go. Hope this helps

 

[BlueLioness]

I am always amazed when they say the autism rate. What do they say now 1 in 88? Where are they? I know my niece, my son and myself. How come I never see/meet other autistic people?

1. yes. I was severely bullied all through grade school.

2. I am 44 years old and I can say I have never met someone that I feel like I have something in common with. To this date, i still have no friends to witness to it.

3. Yes. i struggle with this. Religion is very unlogical and unprovable. ( I guess it can be disproven either.) The bacteria analogy doesn't work for me because you can see bacteria; get a microscope. The reason I am Christian is due to experiental knowledge. I have tried many religions through the years and none of them seemed to "work". It's only while I was trying Christianity that God actually answered some prayers; and not things that can be explained away as coincidence.

So I can't answer the question and it still confuses me and pulls me away at times. But, ultimately my experiental knowledge pulls me back. I can't explain some of these things away.

As far as when people just say "have faith" etc.. I never hear these sayings. See bullet two above: no friends or acquaintances. People saying these to me would presuppose they actually talk to me. On the average sunday, I hear "good morning" from the door greeter and that is all.

I have Autism. Does that make us similar?

 

[BlueLioness]

I have thrice in my life been diagnosed with aspergers, and I have never actually met another individual who had it.

I have Autism. I really have no idea if that is like Asperger's.

Since Autism is a disease, I'm not boasting. I actually think it's kind of embarassing for me to admit this about myself.

Growing up I was not very social. I struggled to be that way. My mom said I never talked, my sisters said I was quiet, and they were all aware I stayed up in my room a lot. I was bad at math and English.

I don't know if that makes you and me similar.

 

[BlueLioness]

If they bullied you in high school, they committed a crime.

It is illegal to descriminate against people with disabilities:

Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

 

[jackmt]

Since Autism is a disease, I'm not boasting.
quote]

Autism is a disorder, not a disease. And it is labelled so by those who label themselves normal. Who says normal is good? I don't want to be normal.

Are you familiar with Temple Grandin? She is an autistic woman who has overcome many of her deficits and is currently a professor at the University of Colorado. And she has designed over half of the slaughterhouses in America. HBO made a movie about her and she was a consultant on it. You can rent it for a buck or two.

I highly suggest you view it and especially the special commentaries afterward. Then stop feeling sorry for yourself and use the talents God gave you in place of making you 'normal.'

 

[Sabertooth]

... The bacteria analogy doesn't work for me because you can see bacteria; get a microscope...

Just as the bacteria will become visible to those who look for it, God promises to become visible to those who are looking for Him:

"You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart." Jer. 29:13

 

[HoldingOnToGrace]

I have it too,But I will pray for you. I've actually been easy target for bullies aswell.

 

[Ludicrus]

I've recently taken an interest in religion; I've read the bible cover to cover--though I must admit I'm not very fond on the old testament--and I'm struggling to come to grips with things.

But the first problem is the reason I'm risking posting on this particular forum: I have thrice in my life been diagnosed with aspergers, and I have never actually met another individual who had it.

I initially came here to seek help in finding God, but I'm burning with the desire to see if there is anyone here who can understand/relate to what my life is like. So while I realize it's considered rude to fire off a chain of questions at people, I'm going to do so anyway in the hope someone responds.

#1 Is there anyone here who has always been the target of bullying/hate throughout their entire life? Or someone who just can't seem to get along with anyone anywhere? Or someone who was told that "they can only be handled in small doses" (I really hate that one)

#2 Does anyone here ever feel like they're not a human being? Like there's literally not one single person in the entire world who is even remotely similar to them? In twenty four years, I've yet to make the acquaintance of a single individual to whom I can feel some form of kinsmanship with.

#3 Has anyone here managed to find God despite an incredibly nagging presence in the back of their minds screaming at them that everything in the bible is absurd and illogical?

#3 is really important to me because the Christians I ask just don't "get it". They tell me "I need to have faith" or that "I need to ask Jesus to save me."

What they don't understand is that "faith" is not a conscious decision. I can't "make" myself believe anything, regardless of how hard I try. I've only recently begun having something of a fascination with Jesus, and I've decided to try believing in him. But I can't get around the OT. No matter how much I try to take it all in, I'm pulled out again. There's so many logical issues with it that I hiss in frustration.

Sorry if this post is chaotic and rambling. I'm just excited because I've always wondered or wanted to meet someone else who had aspergers. I'm incredibly curious as to what other people with it are like.

#1 Yes, my entire life and still even today.

#2 I went to AA, and they have a saying there, "You are not alone anymore". Well, to me that was a lie because I felt just as alone. Alcoholic yes, but just as alone as I was when I came through the doors over two decades ago.

If it weren't for Jesus, I'd have killed myself a long time ago.


#3 I didn't have a problem with #3 the way you do. It was quit different for me. I could get the hell and damnation. I couldn't get or comprehend grace for the longest time.

In order to get the Bible, I had to understand certain things about it.

1. The New Testament is the fulfillment of the Old Testament.
2. Most of the Old Testament is history and prophecy.
3. I had to ask God to prove His Word was true because I really, really wanted to understand it and Him.
4. Because of the prophetic nature of the Old Testament, these foreshadowings are sometimes very subtle, other times blatant.
5. I had to ask the Lord to teach me; however, and this is just me, I tore the Bible apart and looked at it like an attorney would, like it was a legal document. And I found it all to be true.
6. It took awhile for the Bible to come alive for me, but the praying part is what made it real. I started praying and asking according to Luke chapter 11 and I found that God actually likes it!!!! And more importantly, He answers!!!!

I would start off with something like, well Lord, I need to understand this so according to YOUR Word, I'm going to be the biggest pest you've ever had because I need to know. I prayed that way for the longest time, half afraid He would get angry at me, but I was desperate for answers so I did.

God started literally proving Himself to me as real. Then, He started proving to me that His Word was real, accurate, authentic and reliable.

This is where the ocd like qualities of an aspie comes in handy,
That "seek and you shall find, ask and it shall be given, knock and the door shall be opened", business is for real!! How do I know? I did it obsessively!

7. When I got an Amplified Bible, it made it so much easier for me to understand. It clarified a lot of the 'meanings' for me and it also had chain references.