New here...

[carlyle418]

My wife (keking615) and I are new here. I'm glad to have found this and I'm very excited about getting to know other Christian aspies. I have been on meds for ADD and depression for many years, but there have been many changes in my life and the drugs no longer seem to be much help. My wife and I recently decided to see an autism specialist so that we can learn better ways of dealing with my depression and general feelings of loneliness. So far, we know I'm somewhere between Aspergers and hyperlexia. I also have a significant amount of nerve damage. My left arm is paralyzed and my left leg is mostly numb.

Overall, things seem to be looking up for us. I have a good job and have held it for over two years. (Woohoo!) I have also been elected president of the Boise chapter of Road Riders for Jesus (a motorcycle ministry). I have a great wife and good people around me, but I somehow still feel disconnected and lonely.

Anyway, we're glad to be here and looking forward to getting to know you...

 

[keking615]

Hi...the wife here! Carlyle summed it all up nicely. We have our good days and bad and would love to meet all of you out there. Friendship and understanding are priceless gifts. It's easy to feel so alone in this journey, especially when you add in the Autism Spectrum. I am still learning, so I welcome any advice for the NT wife.

 

[dayhiker]

Weclome C and K to the board. There isn't a lot that goes on here. Hopefully what little is said will help.

Carl, I can't relate to you alone feeling. When I've not been around people, I've enjoyed my own thought life. Indeed I like to get alone quite a bit. So we are quite different on that level. I do enjoy being around people as well, tho. It did take me quite a few years to be able to carry on my side of the freindship tho.

dayhiker

 

[MoeSzyslak]

Wecome Carlyle and KeKing.

Can I ask what hyperlexia is? I have heard of it, but don't really know what it is?

My wife is originally Boise. She still has a bunch of family there. Do you go to Flying Pie Pizza?

 

[keking615]

Hi Moe - yes, Flying Pie Pizza is the best. We don't get there often enough.

I'll let Carlyle touch on the Hyperlexia.

Thanks for the warm welcome. Looking forward to great conversations.

 

[carlyle418]

Hyperlexia is similar to Aspergers. Some psychologists, including the one I see, place it on the spectrum next to AS with some overlap between the two. My diagnosis is in that overlapping area.

What sets hyperlexia apart is an extreme fascination with symbols, letters, and numbers. Hyperlexic children usually learn to speak and read early, and tend to fascinated by large or unusual words. I actually read most of the 1982 World Book Encyclopedia as a child, including the dictionaries. I have heard hyperlexia jokingly referred to as "walking dictionary syndrome."

Hyperlexics tend to speak formally and use large words, much like an aspie's "little professor" speaking style. When they write, it is usually in a style similar to a technical manual. If you've read this far without falling asleep, you can probably see what I'm talking about.

Like AS, it does have its benefits. When I get focused on a problem or idea, I usually look for the information I need in books, and I turn into a natural speed-reader. I can even learn to read other languages very quickly if the information I need is written in a different language. All I need is a good dictionary.

On the other hand, if a book does not catch my interest, I will struggle to read it and may not be able to read it at all. I may look at the pages and simply see words jumbled together. Honestly, that breaks my heart, as my Bible reading is sort of hit or miss. I often to go it for answers, and I can read the Greek, but I usually can't just sit and read it. If I open it and try to read without a question in mind, any translation looks the same to me as the Greek probably looks to most English speakers.

As for the Flying Pie, I have actually never been there. It is still here, though.

 

[HazelAngel]

Thats nice to hear. I didnt know about Hyperlexic but now I do. I have AS and I have a boyfriend (7 month boyfriend) with autism. May sound strange but we get along well. I kinda text a whole lot and that means friends but now Im thinking about not doing so much ... LOL Im a quick typer and have a ear to listen to now and again when Im on Its nice to know there are other people out there with AS People say Im 'likeable' but I guess thats just me

HazelAngel

 

[HazelAngel]

What is NT???? I have never heard of it before or the term of it ... just wondering what it is and I thought Id ask.

HazelAngel

 

[keking615]

Good question. NT stands for Neurotypical. Essentially it's anyone not on the spectrum.

Hope that helps.
Kristen

 

[RuthD]

Welcome to Christian Forums and Recovery.

 

[HazelAngel]

thanks for that. Now I know what NT is I didnt hear about it but Im glad the question is answered

HazelAngel