how asperger's affects me

EVER WONDER …: 

EVER WONDER … Why some people are loners one moment and social in the next? Why some people seem to be in their own little world? Why some people just don’t understand what you are really saying? Why some people have weird behaviors? Why some people are obsessive and almost compulsive about their own interests?

ASPERGER’S SYNDROME:: 

ASPERGER’S SYNDROME: A Puzzle of a Lifetime!

ASPERGER SYNDROME:: 

ASPERGER SYNDROME: Part of the Autistic Spectrum of Disorders A person is born with AS People with AS have it for life There is no cure They won’t “grow out” of AS At least 1:500 people have AS Predominantly in males 4 males – 1 female

SYMPTOMS OF AS: : 

SYMPTOMS OF AS: Difficulty in social situations Especially with peers Reading and understanding body language Difficulty reading, understanding and expressing emotions appropriately Difficulties with organizing Difficulties with fine motor skills Issues with nonverbal communication All AS individuals have some form of self stimulatory behavior Hand flapping, rocking, Any type of repetitive body movement Other learning disabilities Dyslexia, Dysgraphia, Hyperlexia...

What does it Affect?: 

What does it Affect? A neurological disorder FRONTAL LOBE: Reasoning, planning. Speech, movement, emotions, problem solving PARIETAL LOBE: Perception to stimuli related to touch, pressure, temperature and pain

I HAVE ASPERGER’S!! I HAVE ISSUES WITH:: 

I HAVE ASPERGER’S!! I HAVE ISSUES WITH:

ORGANIZATION PROBLEMS:: 

ORGANIZATION PROBLEMS: Executive Functioning is impaired in people with AS Executive Functioning: Controls the ability to plan and organize tasks Makes it possible to monitor one’s own actions and thoughts Inhibits inappropriate responses, Utilize feedback and suppress distracting stimuli Controls the ability to respond to situations in an organized way

ORGANIZATION: I Have Difficulties With:: 

ORGANIZATION: I Have Difficulties With: Distractions & Becoming Overwhelmed Easily Forgetting things, even if I make a list Multitasking & focusing on more than one thing at a time Processing information correctly Cleaning and organizing my world around me My apartment, car, locker, etc

OVERCOMING DISORGANIZTION:: 

OVERCOMING DISORGANIZTION: In My Head: B-12 shot & acupuncture Sleep is VERY important Vocal Lessons Learning to ask questions Around Me: Task Lists, writing notes Detailed Schedule of what I am doing Asking people for help

SOCIAL ASPECTS OF AS:: 

SOCIAL ASPECTS OF AS: Desire to have friends, but are not sure how to People with AS need to be taught social skills which most children acquire through observing. Need to be taught how to respond to others appropriately Need to be taught the “Hidden Curriculum”

HIDDEN CURRICULUM: Unwritten Rules of Life:: 

HIDDEN CURRICULUM: Unwritten Rules of Life: Pull up your pants before coming out of the bathroom stall Avoid complaining to the person who just came out of the bathroom that she made a big stink Don’t take your clothes off in public even if you are hot Don’t tell the man at the grocery store that he is big and fat even if you think he is

Making SENSE in Conversations:: 

Making SENSE in Conversations: S pace – Maintaining the right physical distance from the other person E ye Contact – Making appropriate eye contact N odding – Nodding the head to show agreement or disagreement S tatements of Encouragement – making standard brief comments E xpressions – Using facial expression body language

Where Do People Fit?: 

Where Do People Fit? Privacy Circle Chart:

My Social Struggles:: 

My Social Struggles: Understanding what people are really asking me If I have a problem, I sometimes get confused at who I am to talk to I share too much information with people I know I get anxious with social situations

EMOTIONS WITH AS:: 

EMOTIONS WITH AS: Hard time verbalizing what emotions we are feeling Hard time understanding others emotions Live under constant stress Unable to deal with anxiety

Understanding Our Emotions:: 

Understanding Our Emotions: Our anxiety comes as a response to the symptoms of AS and not necessarily the particular event that triggered our emotional outburst. Hardest part of AS is the constant anxiety and stress Think of your worst day: Got up late, stuck in traffic, late for work… Frustrated, full of anxiety, it’s hard to focus on what you need to do… I endure at least: 1 minor anxiety attack a day, 1 minor meltdown a week, 1 major meltdown a month!

ANXIETY STRESSORS:: 

ANXIETY STRESSORS: Social situations Meeting new people Misunderstandings Any type of change Positive and negative Being alone… being with people… Disorganization In my mind, or around me Being hyper, or giddy

COPING WITH ANXIETY:: 

COPING WITH ANXIETY: Very confusing and complex Don’t feel the anxiety coming Changes from situation to situation Some form of Venting Exercising Talking on the phone to friends I am unable to deal with an emotional meltdown on my own I need a friend to help me talk through it Takes anywhere from a day to a week for me to recover from an emotional meltdown

LIMITING ANXIETY & STRESS:: 

LIMITING ANXIETY & STRESS: Sleeping properly At least 8 hours a night Going to bed BEFORE midnight Special Diet No wheat, cow dairy, No Sugar, including artificial sweeteners Breathing exercises Engaging in my special interest activities Keeping busy, OR resting

MY INTERESTS & OBSESSIONS:: 

MY INTERESTS & OBSESSIONS: MUSIC!! Me listening to music  Rebecca St. James

OTHER SPECIAL INTERESTS:: 

OTHER SPECIAL INTERESTS: Computer & Internet Overcoming struggles Specific subjects in school Church & Youth Group

A LITTLE EXTRA HELP FROM:: 

A LITTLE EXTRA HELP FROM: My Family My church School My friends The government Organizations Doctors & Naturopaths

REMEMBER:: 

REMEMBER: If you have met one person with Asperger’s, you have met one person with Asperger’s. The severity of the symptoms change from person to person We are not dumb, we just process information differently. Life is full of social situations and therefore life is extremely stressful for us, so please be patient with us.

ASPERGER’S SYNDROME:: 

ASPERGER’S SYNDROME: A PUZZLE OF A LIFETIME!