Asperger's Syndrome

[Drogue]

I have been diagnosed with it (albeit mildly) but I don't really think of myself like that. I'm actually quite a sociable person, but not naturally. I have to learn how to act in situations, and generally become very stressed by social activity. It's very weird trying to explain how I am, because I don't conform to all the symptoms, I conform to most, and then am blatantly different to others. I was only diagnosed about 6-9 months ago, when I was 17. But hey, I just think of myself as being me, whatever label they decide to stick to it. The advantage being that I could get special dispensation (extra time) for tests, because of a blanket ruling about mental disorders. However I've never tried, I'd rather do it on my own.

[Az]

too many people here with the same condition.

[General Ludd]

Originally posted by Drogue
The advantage being that I could get special dispensation (extra time) for tests, because of a blanket ruling about mental disorders. However I've never tried, I'd rather do it on my own.

I get a monthly check.

too many people here with the same condition.

Is Sid Meier behind this?

[Az]

so it's not inherited, but a malfunction of the brain caused by prolonged exposure to his games.


It all begins to make sense.......

[Sten Sture]

Asperger's is the lead science story on Reuter's website right now by the way...

[Drogue]

IIRC it is not genetic, but if you have a parent who is Aspergic, then you are more prone to it. However it is a relatively common disorder, and the tendancy to become obsessive about things, and ultra rational, would lend itself well to civ. Moreover, most people reading this thread probably have some interest in it. therefore having 7 people here with Aspergers is not too improbable.

[Sten Sture]

Here is an Asperger and the tech industry article that a friend of mine wrote a while back - I found it really interesting.

http://www.wired.com/wired/archive/9.12/aspergers_pr.html

[SpencerH]

It neglected to mention the possible strong link between the recent increase in autism (and aspergers I guess) with vaccines (which may be due to the mercury preservative). Genetic predisposition + too much mercury from multiple vaccination-> increased risk of autism.

[Shi Huangdi]

IMO Asperger's syndorme is a bunch of BS. So you take high intelligence, poor social skills, and a tendency to have intense interests; how is that a syndrome? They just arbitrarily took a bunch of traits, grouped them together and decided then when added up they make a syndrome. Fine but who is to say that above listed traits make a syndrome, but say high athletic skills, low intelligence, high agression, and a short attention span isn't a syndrome. I don't see why you couldn't just group any number of traits together and declare it a syndrome. But there seems little reason to simply declare these traits to be a mental deficiency, if the likes of Bill Gates and Albert Einstien have it.

[Asher]

It's called Asperger's Syndrome instead of Asperger's Disorder for a reason, Shi.

[Sten Sture]

Originally posted by SpencerH
It neglected to mention the possible strong link between the recent increase in autism (and aspergers I guess) with vaccines (which may be due to the mercury preservative). Genetic predisposition + too much mercury from multiple vaccination-> increased risk of autism.

It did mention it in passing "Controversies rage about... mercury and other chemicals in universally administered vaccines... act as catalysts...."

This is in your field is it not? What do you think about vaccines? My son got four shots yesterday, and I am a leery of their long-term effects on the development of hte immune system, etc, but not sure what options would be better...

[Az]

let him eat some raw meat. That will help the immune system.

[Sten Sture]

Originally posted by Azazel
let him eat some raw meat. That will help the immune system.

Dude - I'm in San Fran: how about raw tofu??

[Az]

well, I guess "what doesn't kill me, only makes me stronger". But do you want to test this on your son?


didn't think so.

[SpencerH]

Originally posted by Sten Sture

It did mention it in passing "Controversies rage about... mercury and other chemicals in universally administered vaccines... act as catalysts...."

Apologies, it doesnt pay to read that fast.

This is in your field is it not? What do you think about vaccines? My son got four shots yesterday, and I am a leery of their long-term effects on the development of hte immune system, etc, but not sure what options would be better...

You really dont have much choice:

1) based upon what we know now for the population at large, the benefits of childhood vaccines far outweigh the risks
2) the newer childrens vaccines in the USA are 'supposed to be' mercury-free. You can look up the specific vaccines to see if they contain thimerosal or ask your physician
3) you have to get the vaccines for the kids to go to school.

That being said, there are lots of things we dont know about vaccines and unexpected effects.