Adult Asperger’s Video 2. Living in a Bubble – What is Autism Spectrum Disorder High Functioning Asperger’s (Part 1)
My name’s Anthony King and welcome back to my video series about mild autism spectrum disorder in adults based on my book “Living in a Bubble”. Let’s continue from where we left off in our last video together…
What is Autism Spectrum Disorder/High Functioning Asperger’s?
When I initially sat my friends down and told them I have ASD the first thing they asked (with a strange look on their face) was “What’s that?” My answer, which I wasn’t particularly at ease or satisfied with was this:
It means that I interact with the world differently and I’m often challenged and affected by things which “normal” people don’t notice, like certain sounds and noise. These, in particular, can cause me significant pain and distress. I also feel like an alien, like I don’t fit in because I can find it hard to understand people and translate what they really mean. It just takes me a little bit more time to decode because I do things by calculation rather than by intuition. I’ve trained myself to do this which is why I can blend in and most people wouldn’t notice. However, on the inside it can be hard, exhausting and this is why I like to spend time by myself and to recuperate after certain situations.
This might not be the best description; which is why I sometimes add, “I just find things that normal people do naturally challenging at times.” I fortunately have an opportunity right now to answer the question properly. So here goes…
Autism Spectrum Disorder and Asperger’s Syndrome
Let me clarify something important about terminology. There have been recent changes to the medical diagnostic manuals which means that a condition which was once called “Asperger’s Syndrome” is now classed under the wider title of “Autism Spectrum Disorder”. However, some people who were diagnosed before the diagnostic change still officially have “Asperger’s Syndrome” and others, after, have “Autism Spectrum Disorder”. Doctors and specialists will often describe the condition as “Asperger’s” or “Autism” or “Autism Spectrum Disorder”. So from this point on, I will mostly refer to the condition that encompasses all of these things under one umbrella as “Autism Spectrum Disorder” abbreviated to ASD, or as ‘on the spectrum’.
So, what is ASD?
Put simply, ASD is described as a “lifelong developmental disability”. However, it’s a part of your identity. It can’t be “cured”, you don’t “heal”. It’s not a disease either. It doesn’t come with any kind of learning difficulties per se but someone with ASD may have a specific learning difficulty. Many autistic people, on the other hand, do have learning difficulties and challenges with communication and speech but people with ASD can often, as I said above, have difficulty “decoding” or processing and understanding language and speech. One thing I can say is that with help, assistance and looking within, people on the spectrum can have a fulfilled and happy life.
What is “High functioning Asperger’s”?
It’s logical that some people have a more extreme condition than others but ASD is not a “spectrum” disorder in the way that people often interpret the word “spectrum”. People have wrongly suggested that since I am not an “extreme” case, I don’t have a problem. Not at all. I still have it, just in a different way to some. Those with the “High Functioning” form have the ability to blend in and fit in through different coping mechanisms – it might not even be obvious, but it’s still there.
What is the cause of ASD and is there a cure?
Scientists still haven’t found a “cure” because they have not been able to attribute an exact cause. Current research suggests it is probably a combination of factors: environmental and genetic, working together. One thing is certain – it isn’t anybody’s fault. While there is no current cure, there are many ways to make life easier – such as employing specific coping strategies and resolving challenging issues.
How many people have ASD?
To reiterate my findings, according to the NAS, of the United Kingdom there are around 700,000 people in the UK living with autism – that’s more than 1 in 100. They come from all walks of life. Statistics suggest that more males than females are affected.