Other Ptsd and high functioning autism

[Powder]

Look, I have talked to many parents who said their best friends immediately withdrew friendship with their family when their child got diagnosed with Autism. The moms I talked to said they got treated like Lepers.

I don't know if PTSD is any better, but I suspect that it depends. There is a lot of misinformation out there. One of them is that people with A or P will suddenly attack you. We're the human equivalent of Pit Bulls. It's gonna eventually and randomly turn on its owner.

This is just not true. Though there may be some truth to this for some cases, it's not a given.

Please don't let this label define you. You are the same person you were before you got this diagnosis. Of course they will confirm what others have said. That doesn't mean they are either of them right.

In 100 years, Will PTSD or Autism be the same thing that they are today? No. I promise you, there will be 100 shades of grey where the terms PTSD and Autism, and many other labels now lie.

You should be aware that much research is being done and there is hope.

Finally, if you do have High Functioning Autism, that can actually be a strength. I am inspired by people like Dr. Temple Grandin. Her work with animals offers a tremendous advancement for the entire planet and humans in particular regarding the treatment and use of animals. This is an important area of research, as we discover how vital animals have been and always will be to us humans and the world.

Have you read Animals in Translation by Temple Grandin. If not, please do. You need to see the hope that people with H.F.A. bring to the world. That hasn't yet been said of people with PTSD that I am aware of yet, but I am sure it will be said soon enough. Being different is diverse, and diversity is what will save us. If we are all 'normal' then we have little hope of survival as a planet or as a species. We need you. You need me. We're all in this together.

Seeing the forest is over-rated. Most people can do that, and they are ruining our world. We need people who focus in on what we're missing. That is what we need. Don't let a few dumbasses warp your view on this. Keep going. You're a good person and an asset to us here.

Muse

 

[Fadeaway]

I am so sorry that you family reacted badly, and I am disgusted by your friends response. I do not see the diagnosis as negative. 1 in every 48 children are born with autism now. You would think people wouldn't think of it as a big deal now.

I am pretty convinced my husband has HFA and would really like him to see a professional about it, but now I am second guessing that. Perhaps a diagnosis would be more harmful than helpful.

Personally, I have sensory issues but I think hypervigilance play's a huge role in that.

 

[Ronin]

Thoughts:

PTSD diagnosis basically says you're a super strong person who survived bad shit nobody should be put through, and you're still wrestling with it day to day. So much strength there.

Autism diagnosis says you are hella creative person navigating an incomprehensible jungle people are while seeing exactly how much nonsense people are. Again: so darned strong person.

& valuable & cherished & loved.

Whoever disagrees can f*ck off now, and forever.

 

[Friday]

What @Cashew said!

 

[Chava]

I have never been diagnosed Autism spectrum but there are definitely some strong traits in my family. I don't relate to the social and cognitive aspects of Autism but I definitely have sensory quirks (compression, heavy blankets, overly sensitive to sounds and light), as well as a tendency to go into a bubble and really nerd out....just I don't have one thing and am pretty global, also studying a new thing every five minutes. This actually fits fine with the neurology of really early trauma but Developmental Trauma Disorder isn't an official diagnosis yet. If it becomes one, then I'll have it :) My social challenges seem to revolve around the fact that I am quirky, extra sensitive and smart (conversations about popular t.v. programs bore me in a painful way), and I also have some general attachment issues (very avoidant).

Diagnosis or not, I don't have an easy time relating on super average levels. There are the trauma variables, the family history, my personality...some things that are pretty hard to change. But I'm trying to focus on how these things are also gifts for me. I'm a musician and also really love art. I notice things most people don't notice. I find happiness in my curiosity and how I can nerd out on things. I also don't feel highly threatened by not fitting in. In many cases, my particular personality has made me a good leader. I can also read people fine but I'm not overly sensitive to personal issues, like whether they like me enough or not...it helps me focus on bringing people toward bigger goals and making decisions.

Basically, you have gifts and strengths, not just some brand new set of weaknesses or limitations. You really don't even have to tell people you have autism, unless you think it's important information for the relationship. A friend who dumps you over it is shallow and not a good friend anyway. f*ck them. My best friends (a precious few) have probably been a little bit on the Autism spectrum and SUPER FUN. They tend to not care about trivial shit. They have been artists, musicians, scientists, people I just love to talk with. I very much value those friendships, though I find them hard to come by. I don't worry too much about fitting into any mainstream though I do personally need to work at connecting somewhere a little better.

So you've just gotten more information about yourself. Use it positively, even if right now that doesn't seem possible and you are shocked. In my world I find very little stigma around autism. You can find that world too...just really sorry the people you counted on for support right now aren't helpful. That really sucks.

 

[DogwoodTree]

I haven't been officially dx'd (haven't found a way to get an assessment yet), but I've consistently scored high for HFA on the reputable tests I've taken online over the past year+. I started suspecting HFA in mid-2014 because the PTSD treatments I was trying just weren't working like they should. The pieces weren't fitting. Something else was wrong.

Anyway, learning about HFA over the past many months has really been an enlightening experience. I feel like I'm getting to know myself for the first time in my life. It's really frustrating at times to know there are some problems I struggle with that I thought were PTSD-related and could eventually be "fixed", but turns out they're rooted in or directly caused by HFA, and will never go away. But understanding how HFA factors into the way my issues manifest gives me and my Ts insights into how to approach many of my problems differently--and therefore more successfully. It also helps me understand why I handled my childhood situation so much differently than my siblings did.

HFA is manageable on a lot of levels, and potentially comes with a lot of rather unique strengths. But it takes time to wrap one's mind around all of this. And because people on the spectrum vary so much, there are no road maps.

Please feel free to PM me if you want some good links and resources that I've collected, or just to vent. The intersection of PTSD and HFA can feel miserably lonely sometimes.

 

[LadyUndomiel]

Ironically I was diagnosed with Asperger's syndrome right at the time I was being traumatized. I think people on the spectrum are more prone to PTSD because they aren't equipped to deal with it in the same way. It sucks

 

[woundedmind]

You aren't any different with the diagnosis than before the diagnosis. I haven't been diagnosed formally, but a therapist who has her own little aspie said I have a lot of the traits and yes I do have a hard time reading emotions in others except when its extremely obvious and social/politics in the office were beyond me.

 

[MariaTPhD]

I post here under a regular username, but I am too embarrassed to post about this under that name.

I...

I am doing my PhD dissertation on the subject of Autism (and being Catholic) and my 13 year old son has autism. He is quite empathetic as well. That stereotype seems to be inaccurate. In fact, several studies seem to show that it is quite the opposite. The sensitivity to the feelings of others make someone with autism quite kind and understanding. Their faces may not show it though, which may explain the stereotype. I have taught catechism to kids with autism for the last 4 years and I love it. It may be a challenge, but they have such pure, kind souls. The ability to be self-reflective may be one of their special gifts.

This is not a bad thing. It is just what you are. I have brown hair and am overweight. You have autism. Not bad, just different. The way you process the world gives the world a new way to look at itself.

 

[MariaTPhD]

Ironically I was diagnosed with Asperger's syndrome right at the time I was being traumatized. I th...

Or they are more trusting which makes them more likely to be exploited. It may simply be a matter of evil, not something wrong with you! You are special!

 

[MariaTPhD]

Thoughts:

PTSD diagnosis basically says you're a super strong person who survived bad shit nobody should...

LOVE this definition! GREAT STUFF! I am going to pass this on to a few colleagues!

 

[Ronin]

I am going to pass this on to a few colleagues!

If it helps someone, I'm glad. Feel free to.