Over 65 million people are affected by Asperger’s syndrome, which falls under the Autism Spectrum. With so many individuals being diagnosed more and more by the year, it’s important to understand a few things that you may not already know. That way, if you do live, befriend, or work closely with someone affected, you know that sometimes things aren’t always as they appear to be:
Everyone is impacted differently
There is a saying in the autistic community: “If you’ve met one person with Asperger’s, you’ve met one person with Asperger’s”. Which means, there are so many symptoms and traits that can vary on the spectrum – everyone reacts differently with Asperger’s the way everyone reacts differently with anything else.
Movies and TV exaggerate
Ever seem “Rain Man”? The classic film depicts one man with Asperger’s, but sometimes you can’t even tell that a person is affected. For cinematic purposes, movies are obviously over-the-top, but to think it’s accurate is thinking too much of it.
Meltdowns are unavoidable, and yes they are embarrassing
There’s nothing that can be done sometimes – everyone loses their temper from time to time. But meltdowns are different. Adults with Asperger’s have struggle to cap their emotions and pay close attention to detail without intention. Sometimes they can have a meltdown in public, which is embarrassing. But it’s unavoidable.
Just because they’re not looking doesn’t mean they’re not paying attention
Making eye contact doesn’t always mean listening, and the opposite applies too. Individuals with Asperger’s are known for their strong attention to detail, so don’t take their lack of eye contact as a sign of not listening.
Debra Solomon, founder of Spectrum Strategies sees the strengths in each and every individual with Asperger’s syndrome and autism. Debra is focused on training young adults on the Autism Spectrum and with Asperger’s to accomplish life and career goals, no matter how big or small. She believes that through determination and commitment, every client has the ability to live life to the fullest potential. Call (516) 822-3150 for your one on one and let’s get you reaching for the stars!