Official Diagnosis

[Guest guest]

Is there any benefit to being offically diagnosed with Aspergers?

I was also wondering if anyone has had trouble as an adult coming to

terms with this. I recently tried to broach the subject with my

mother, who immediately closed down. I brought it up because of

comments that she's made about me, like that she didn't think I was

gay (I am) but asexual, or that I remind her of Good Will Hunting,

(too smart but underemployed), or comments growing up...I asked her

about when I was younger, she always said I walked funny (my words,

she said it a slightly meaner way). I asked her recently what she

meant by that, and she said that I walked funny, and laughed. She

asked why I thought of that, and I started to mention Aspergers, and

she snapped " You don't have it, " stating that she knows someone with

a child who has it and I don't match. End of story. This is the same

mother who never believed me when I was sick, and accused me of lying

to get out of school.

I don't think getting a diagnosis is necessary in itself, but think

that it might get people to understand that I am not making this up,

just to understand me, instead of trying to change me.

[Guest guest]

Joe,

There are some assessment tools in the Links section. You could at

least take some of them, print out the results, and show them to your

mom. They are unofficial of course, but if your scores are solidly

indicative of Aspieness, you would go a long way towards convincing

her that that's what you " have. "

As for telling anyone else besides her, you have to be careful. Most

people don't know what AS is and some may treat you as though you

have some kind of disease, or as though they expect you to pick

something up and throw it, or go off on a rampage or soemething.

Tom

Administrator

I'd imagine that it wouldn't help for services, since it's hard to

call it a disability. (Personally, that's not what I am looking for, I

consider myself Objectivist/Libertarian minded, and couldn't justify

taking tax payer money.)

I guess I'm asking because anytime I bring up the subject, the first

thing I am asked is if I have been officially diagnosed. Like it

matters. If I am sneezing and coughing, do I need a doctor's note

stating that I have a cold? But just trying to determine if I

really need an official diagnosis because I would like to get an

objective evaluation.

[Guest guest]

It took me a while to get an official DX. I was actually the one who started to figure it out and brought AS to the attention of my councellor. There was actually a test in Wired magazine several years ago that I took and added commentary to. I was well above the number needed to quailify for AS. I took the test, my answers and commentary to him and he showed it to a new shrink in the practice. This new doctor had experience in dealing with children with As and after looking at my answers said it was better than 95% chance that I had AS.

I also enrolled in a study looking at adults with AS. I qualified on the lower middle range on that. They too appreciated the extra commentary for the answers I provided.

That's about it for my DX. Some places do offer specific testing for it, but that can be expensive. What I have is good enough for my purposes though.

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 8/9/2005 3:01:15 AM Eastern Standard Time, spaceplayer2112@... writes:

Tom, you wrote "As for telling anyone else besides her, you have tobe careful. Mostpeople don't know what AS is and some may treat you as though youhave some kind of disease, or as though they expect you to picksomething up and throw it, or go off on a rampage or soemething."

This is pretty much right. Most people have never heard of AS and when they hear autism, they think Rain Man or the crazy kid wearing the helmet banging his head into the wall. I've only told a few people about it. My lawyer/Business manager of course, my mother and three of my friends and one cousin and her husband that I really like. Aside from them noone else needs to know.

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 8/9/2005 9:58:06 AM Eastern Standard Time, no_reply writes:

Because Aspies APPEAR unemotional and/or dispassionate during certain crisis situations, people tend to gravitate toward them during those particular times. What people want during times of strife is someone more steadfast than they are that they can go to and unload on.The problem is, the sort of stuff that throws US for a loop tends to be dismissed as being unimportant by those we sometimes find ourselves comforting.Tom

Tom,

You are right about this. Very often in stress situations I am very calm, or at least reasonably so. During storms, fire alarms etc. I can usually keep a cool head and think of what to do. Sometimes this is straight out of the WW2 German Infantry manaul where it says, "make a plan and do it then stick to it: doing something even if it is not perfect is better than doing nothing."

I have even found clearing a house if thought someone was in it to be more exciting than stressful. I've done this a few times in different places. Then again, I was planning for the worst after that break in years ago and for Y2K, so I practice CQB (Close Quarters Battle) drills from time to time when my mother isn't around to freak out about it.

You are also right that little things will freak us out. I used to get bent out of shape about little aches and pains most people wouldn't have noticed. Lots of other little things would just make me crazy with worry.

Funny that a choice between several models of computer could really stress me out but looking for potential burglars in the house with gun in hand didn't.

[Guest guest]

Shaun

I agree, don't tell anyone who doesn't need to know or who you think will change their perception of you. I've only told people that have known me for a long time and had seen my odd behaviors. So far no one has treated me any differently. Then again, I only risked telling people that I thought could handle it.

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 8/9/2005 2:51:50 PM Eastern Standard Time, no_reply writes:

But I am, coincidentally, thinking about buying a new comuter and have been obsessing about it to the point of ruination.

Right Now I am trying to decide between a notebook PC or a portable DVD player. I've got a gift card for Best Buy for $250, which would be most or all of the DVD player or a part of a lower end notebook. What I would need the notebook for is for trips to allow me to check email more easily, may be play simple games and watch DVDs on. Problem is that they don't have squat for battery life and are big. With the DVD player I can get a battery that will give it more than 6 hours of life, but none of the other stuff.

I guess it will come down to how low they will go on a notebook.

[Guest guest]

Lizzie, I hadn't considered that my mom be hostile because she is

blaming herself. Thank you, that makes a lot of sense.

> > Is there any benefit to being offically diagnosed with Aspergers?

>

> Because my mother will react much like yours when she finds out I

> have Asperger's, having an authority figure's signature that I'm

> telling the truth will help minimize the degree of cruelty in her

> comments about it. If I said I was self diagnosed, she'd say, as my

> X said, " Oh, that's just an excuse for _______________. "

>

> Also, if your mother is like mine, then she will somehow blame

> herself or think others will blame her for your condition. Makes no

> sense to me, but that's how my mother will react. Also, if she thinks

> about it too much, she'll have to come to the realization she was

> abusive towards a " handicapped " individual. Not that that will

> bother her, personally, too much, but it will upset her because

> others might put 2 and 2 together and realize she'd been abusive to

> a " handicapped " individual.

>

> Lizzie

> http://pg.photos./ph/chain3turn/my_photos

> http://www.livejournal.com/users/samplerlady/

> http://literarylady.blogspot.com/

> " To live a creative life, we must lose our fear of being wrong. "

> ph Chilton Pierce

[Guest guest]

" Aren't you and isn't it???? ))) That's how I've always felt, too! "

Well, whether or not it's the Asperger's talking, a rose by any other

name...and an idiot by any other name...

My favorite pet peeve (meaning it's less a moral crime than an

annoyance) is when customers ask me directions to such and such place.

When I say I don't know, and they get indignant because EVERYONE knows

this place, and I say that I don't eat out, or don't go there, and

they persist that I should know, I reply that " I knew how to get where

I was going today, and you didn't. " Or, " If you didn't know where you

were going today, you shouldn't have left the house. "

" Everyone is dumb except for me. " -Homer Simpson.

> >

> > because I really thought I was right and the world

> > was full of idiots,

>

> Aren't you and isn't it???? ))) That's how I've always felt, too!

>

> Lizzie

> http://pg.photos./ph/chain3turn/my_photos

> http://www.livejournal.com/users/samplerlady/

> http://literarylady.blogspot.com/

> " To live a creative life, we must lose our fear of being wrong. "

> ph Chilton Pierce

[Guest guest]

Shaun, sorry to hear about your wife. Without knowing her, I can't

judge, but if that's true, you're doing the right thing.

> > Is there any benefit to being offically diagnosed with Aspergers?

> > I was also wondering if anyone has had trouble as an adult coming

> to

> > terms with this.

>

>

>

>

>

> FAM Secret Society is a community based on respect, friendship,

support and acceptance. Everyone is valued.

>

> Don't forget, there are links to other FAM sites on the Links page

in the folder marked " Other FAM Sites. "

>

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

Tom, thanks for the advice. I've been considering a temp agency to get

an office job because I actually like filing and such...maybe that is

the way to go, couldn't hurt. Glad it worked for you!

>

> After leaving Tower I've left at least 6 jobs in a year before

> finding something bearable. And it's starting again. Now at least I

> know what to do about it, but it's hard to explain to employers

> without resorting to subterfuge.

[Guest guest]

> writes: "So what is the highest one can score on this test?"One could score one point for each of the fifty questions, or 50 is the highest one can score. My score is 43, I am self-diagnosed.  Rainbow

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 8/9/2005 5:48:32 PM Eastern Standard Time, scwmachinations@... writes:

Greed is not good, greed is the destroyer of equality

I partly agree with you here. Greed does make people unequal, but then people are unequal to begin with. There is no way to make people equal in terms of talent, intelligence or even wealth. Rather what should be looked for is equality in the eyes of the law, so that the rich are bound by the same law as the poor and all are treated the same by it.

However, too much wealth in the hand of to few is a bad thing. This is a problem that is developing in the US with these fat cat CEOs making such huge amounts of money. The amount of wealth concentrate in the hands of the top 1% is approaching the same level as in 1929, just before the Great Depression.

The way around this I think is a flat tax for everyone and closing the loopholes and tax shelters for the super rich. I also would not mind seeing a law regarding how CEOs are compensated. I would tie their compensation to a formula based on what percentage of their workforce was in the US and how much of their profits stayed in the US. This is something the State of Virginia does and it works well. Also, I would have 50% of the package held for a variable period of time, from 5 to 15 years. This would be held in escrow and tied to the fortunes of the firm they ran. If the firm continues to do well, then they will get all the money. If it flops, then they lose a portion of the money. This would prevent them from making the company look good then have it crash when they walk out the door.

Also, I would hold the CEOs and such responsible if they drove a firm into the ground. They would pay restitution from the compensation package, golden parachute and other assets until they ran dry or all investors were made good. Repayment would begin with the smallest sharholders and build up to the highest. This would ensure that the people who could least afford to lose the money would be repaid first, while those who could afford to lose it come last. This would also cuase the institutional investors to pay much stricter attention to the internal operations of a firm.

[Guest guest]

This is but my own opinion.

If need be, tell your secret. If not nessesary, do not.

When I was diagnosed, my wife who is an insatiable gossip, told all the neighbors

and pretty well any who would listen to her.

Consequently, I have noticed a difference in their actions and attitudes towards me.

Some are wary, like I'm a schitzo who is about to explode, others have an inate curiousity while some more dont seem to want to know me at all.

In fact, as I said in my own opinion, if possible dont tell anyone.

Appreciate your difference and the abilities that we have, but dont expect NT's to celebrate with you.

I have noticed a big difference even how my wife treats me.

She doesnt realize being an Aspie is not the same as being a leper.

Shaun.VISIGOTH@... wrote:

In a message dated 8/9/2005 3:01:15 AM Eastern Standard Time, spaceplayer2112@... writes:

Tom, you wrote "As for telling anyone else besides her, you have tobe careful. Mostpeople don't know what AS is and some may treat you as though youhave some kind of disease, or as though they expect you to picksomething up and throw it, or go off on a rampage or soemething."

This is pretty much right. Most people have never heard of AS and when they hear autism, they think Rain Man or the crazy kid wearing the helmet banging his head into the wall. I've only told a few people about it. My lawyer/Business manager of course, my mother and three of my friends and one cousin and her husband that I really like. Aside from them noone else needs to know.

__________________________________________________

[Guest guest]

Shaun,

Another thing is that people suddenly feel that they no longer have

to make an effort to understand you once you tell them you have AS.

They assume that if you have some " negative " or " peculiar " trait

that is MUST be AS that's causing it, even if that trait is caused

by something else entirely.

They also assume that you must KNOW every single negative trait that

you have and that you WANT to change them for the better, and so

they criticize you when you tell them that you are happy the way you

are.

I mean, really, how short sighted can they be. All of us write to

one another and come across as rational human beings that anyone can

respect. Yet they judge us because of our sensitivities or some

other difference. It's just silly.

Tom

This is but my own opinion.

If need be, tell your secret. If not nessesary, do not.

When I was diagnosed, my wife who is an insatiable gossip, told all

the neighbors and pretty well any who would listen to her.

Consequently, I have noticed a difference in their actions and

attitudes towards me.

Some are wary, like I'm a schitzo who is about to explode, others

have an inate curiousity while some more dont seem to want to know

me at all.

In fact, as I said in my own opinion, if possible dont tell anyone.

Appreciate your difference and the abilities that we have, but dont

expect NT's to celebrate with you.

I have noticed a big difference even how my wife treats me.

She doesnt realize being an Aspie is not the same as being a leper.

Shaun.

[Guest guest]

,

In the storm I wrote about a few weeks ago when the tree fell on my

neighbor's house, I was calm, cool, and collected espite whole tree

limbs sailing down the street in the wind. I was not in the least

worried about getting caught up in the storm, and spent the few

first minutes of the microburst trying to figure out how to get my

car re-parked and away from trees safely and the next few minutes

moving the car.

But I am, coincidentally, thinking about buying a new comuter and

have been obsessing about it to the point of ruination.

Tom

In a message dated 8/9/2005 9:58:06 AM Eastern Standard Time,

no_reply writes:

Because Aspies APPEAR unemotional and/or dispassionate during

certain crisis situations, people tend to gravitate toward them

during those particular times.

What people want during times of strife is someone more steadfast

than they are that they can go to and unload on.

The problem is, the sort of stuff that throws US for a loop tends to

be dismissed as being unimportant by those we sometimes find

ourselves comforting.

Tom

Tom,

You are right about this. Very often in stress situations I am very

calm, or at least reasonably so. During storms, fire alarms etc. I

can usually keep a cool head and think of what to do. Sometimes this

is straight out of the WW2 German Infantry manaul where it

says, " make a plan and do it then stick to it: doing something even

if it is not perfect is better than doing nothing. "

I have even found clearing a house if thought someone was in it to

be more exciting than stressful. I've done this a few times in

different places. Then again, I was planning for the worst after

that break in years ago and for Y2K, so I practice CQB (Close

Quarters Battle) drills from time to time when my mother isn't

around to freak out about it.

You are also right that little things will freak us out. I used to

get bent out of shape about little aches and pains most people

wouldn't have noticed. Lots of other little things would just make

me crazy with worry.

Funny that a choice between several models of computer could really

stress me out but looking for potential burglars in the house with

gun in hand didn't.

[Guest guest]

>Shaun writes: "More than ever, I will stay true to my heart. More than ever I will stand true to my visions.Go, Shaun, go!!!!  Rainbow

[Guest guest]

My mom's reaction was pretty much like this too. Since I've always been so

relatively " normal " compared with my deaf and really out-of-control little

sister, and the responsible one in the family, she initially could not

accept that I was somewhat autistic. It was as if she thought this would

reflect badly on herself or something, to have not only one but TWO

handicapped children, and perhaps thinking she may have caused it somehow.

But after I got my dx (at 35) she has slowly warmed to the idea and now even

see quite a few Aspie traits in herself and her siblings. I'm very happy to

have that understanding from her now. But it took several years for her to

accept it.

The dx has been of much help to me in many other ways too.

Inger

Re: Official Diagnosis

> Is there any benefit to being offically diagnosed with Aspergers?

Because my mother will react much like yours when she finds out I

have Asperger's, having an authority figure's signature that I'm

telling the truth will help minimize the degree of cruelty in her

comments about it. If I said I was self diagnosed, she'd say, as my

X said, " Oh, that's just an excuse for _______________. "

Also, if your mother is like mine, then she will somehow blame

herself or think others will blame her for your condition. Makes no

sense to me, but that's how my mother will react. Also, if she thinks

about it too much, she'll have to come to the realization she was

abusive towards a " handicapped " individual. Not that that will

bother her, personally, too much, but it will upset her because

others might put 2 and 2 together and realize she'd been abusive to

a " handicapped " individual.

Lizzie

http://pg.photos./ph/chain3turn/my_photos

http://www.livejournal.com/users/samplerlady/

http://literarylady.blogspot.com/

" To live a creative life, we must lose our fear of being wrong. "

ph Chilton Pierce

FAM Secret Society is a community based on respect, friendship, support and

acceptance. Everyone is valued.

Don't forget, there are links to other FAM sites on the Links page in the

folder marked " Other FAM Sites. "

[Guest guest]

Tom, too true.

To Natron, all these are just label.

I never suggested NT as a derogatory label, just different. Like skin colour.

It is truly in the eyes of the beholder, but I'm sorry, most people I meet who are regular people, are fine. It is just that most of them in my mind are idiots.

That's all. Nothing profound, just my opinion.

Shaun.environmental1st2003 <no_reply > wrote:

Shaun said: "I truly believe they are incapable of "seeing" what we see.I believe they are incapable of being "opened minded" to what Aspies uniquely have to offer."Try not to be too critical. It's a disease they have. You know, a disability, or a disorder. As soon as we can isolate the gene that causes this deficiency we can cure them. Never mind the fact that they don't want to be cured. No one can know what's best for them but us.:)My TRUE feelings ARE similar to yours. My feeling is that whereas they think that with a little effort we can socialize, we think that with a little effort they can be more broad-minded."More than ever, I will stay true to my heart.""More than ever I will stand true

to my visions."We're made differently than they are and that would be all there is to it except they constitute the majority and we the minority. Therefore I think the best thing to ensure our continued survival is to try to integrate with their world while making our own homes and retreats as comfortable as possible. In this way we can stay true to our hearts and visions without completely rejecting society as a whole.Tom__________________________________________________

[Guest guest]

Tom, too true.

To Natron, all these are just label.

I never suggested NT as a derogatory label, just different. Like skin colour.

It is truly in the eyes of the beholder, but I'm sorry, most people I meet who are regular people, are fine. It is just that most of them in my mind are idiots.

That's all. Nothing profound, just my opinion.

Shaun.environmental1st2003 <no_reply > wrote:

Shaun said: "I truly believe they are incapable of "seeing" what we see.I believe they are incapable of being "opened minded" to what Aspies uniquely have to offer."Try not to be too critical. It's a disease they have. You know, a disability, or a disorder. As soon as we can isolate the gene that causes this deficiency we can cure them. Never mind the fact that they don't want to be cured. No one can know what's best for them but us.:)My TRUE feelings ARE similar to yours. My feeling is that whereas they think that with a little effort we can socialize, we think that with a little effort they can be more broad-minded."More than ever, I will stay true to my heart.""More than ever I will stand true

to my visions."We're made differently than they are and that would be all there is to it except they constitute the majority and we the minority. Therefore I think the best thing to ensure our continued survival is to try to integrate with their world while making our own homes and retreats as comfortable as possible. In this way we can stay true to our hearts and visions without completely rejecting society as a whole.Tom__________________________________________________

[Guest guest]

Good for you Shaun! I too feel only liberated by now knowing how I function and being true to myself.

I prefer to be a good original rather than a bad copy. :-)

As for your question, I'm a visionary, that's why. ;-)

Inger

Re: Re: Official Diagnosis

Tom,

I truly believe they are incapable of "seeing" what we see.

I believe they are incapable of being "opened minded" to what Aspies uniquely have to offer.

It seems to me NT's have a kind of mental apathy.

If it is too hard to think about, dont think about it.

If it doesnt concern money, why waste your time.

I'm sick of money playing a prominant role in the development of mankind.

Greed is not good, it is selfish and destructive.

My wife's greatest concern about me is that I dont like to socialize.

In the industry that she and I are in, socializing is of paramount importance. You know, schmooze the room.

I pretending for a long time, I am unwilling to pretend anymore.

To me to drop my facade was liberating to myself and not her.

We were two players in a game which I grew out of and she did not.

More than ever, I will stay true to my heart.

More than ever I will stand true to my visions.

P.S. Why do Aspies describe their ideals as being "seeing" or "scope" or "visions".

Shaun.environmental1st2003 <no_reply > wrote:

Shaun,Another thing is that people suddenly feel that they no longer have to make an effort to understand you once you tell them you have AS. They assume that if you have some "negative" or "peculiar" trait that is MUST be AS that's causing it, even if that trait is caused by something else entirely.They also assume that you must KNOW every single negative trait that you have and that you WANT to change them for the better, and so they criticize you when you tell them that you are happy the way you are.I mean, really, how short sighted can they be. All of us write to one another and come across as rational human beings that anyone can respect. Yet they judge us because of our sensitivities or some other difference. It's just silly.TomThis is but my own opinion. If need be, tell your secret. If not nessesary, do not.When I was diagnosed, my wife who is an insatiable gossip, told all the neighbors and pretty well any who would listen to her.Consequently, I have noticed a difference in their actions and attitudes towards me.Some are wary, like I'm a schitzo who is about to explode, others have an inate curiousity while some more dont seem to want to know me at all.In fact, as I said in my own opinion, if possible dont tell anyone.Appreciate your difference and the abilities that we have, but dont expect NT's to celebrate with you.I have noticed a big difference even how my wife treats me.She doesnt realize being an Aspie is not the same as being a leper.Shaun.

Start your day with - make it your home page

[Guest guest]

Good for you Shaun! I too feel only liberated by now knowing how I function and being true to myself.

I prefer to be a good original rather than a bad copy. :-)

As for your question, I'm a visionary, that's why. ;-)

Inger

Re: Re: Official Diagnosis

Tom,

I truly believe they are incapable of "seeing" what we see.

I believe they are incapable of being "opened minded" to what Aspies uniquely have to offer.

It seems to me NT's have a kind of mental apathy.

If it is too hard to think about, dont think about it.

If it doesnt concern money, why waste your time.

I'm sick of money playing a prominant role in the development of mankind.

Greed is not good, it is selfish and destructive.

My wife's greatest concern about me is that I dont like to socialize.

In the industry that she and I are in, socializing is of paramount importance. You know, schmooze the room.

I pretending for a long time, I am unwilling to pretend anymore.

To me to drop my facade was liberating to myself and not her.

We were two players in a game which I grew out of and she did not.

More than ever, I will stay true to my heart.

More than ever I will stand true to my visions.

P.S. Why do Aspies describe their ideals as being "seeing" or "scope" or "visions".

Shaun.environmental1st2003 <no_reply > wrote:

Shaun,Another thing is that people suddenly feel that they no longer have to make an effort to understand you once you tell them you have AS. They assume that if you have some "negative" or "peculiar" trait that is MUST be AS that's causing it, even if that trait is caused by something else entirely.They also assume that you must KNOW every single negative trait that you have and that you WANT to change them for the better, and so they criticize you when you tell them that you are happy the way you are.I mean, really, how short sighted can they be. All of us write to one another and come across as rational human beings that anyone can respect. Yet they judge us because of our sensitivities or some other difference. It's just silly.TomThis is but my own opinion. If need be, tell your secret. If not nessesary, do not.When I was diagnosed, my wife who is an insatiable gossip, told all the neighbors and pretty well any who would listen to her.Consequently, I have noticed a difference in their actions and attitudes towards me.Some are wary, like I'm a schitzo who is about to explode, others have an inate curiousity while some more dont seem to want to know me at all.In fact, as I said in my own opinion, if possible dont tell anyone.Appreciate your difference and the abilities that we have, but dont expect NT's to celebrate with you.I have noticed a big difference even how my wife treats me.She doesnt realize being an Aspie is not the same as being a leper.Shaun.

Start your day with - make it your home page

[Guest guest]

Good for you Shaun! I too feel only liberated by now knowing how I function and being true to myself.

I prefer to be a good original rather than a bad copy. :-)

As for your question, I'm a visionary, that's why. ;-)

Inger

Re: Re: Official Diagnosis

Tom,

I truly believe they are incapable of "seeing" what we see.

I believe they are incapable of being "opened minded" to what Aspies uniquely have to offer.

It seems to me NT's have a kind of mental apathy.

If it is too hard to think about, dont think about it.

If it doesnt concern money, why waste your time.

I'm sick of money playing a prominant role in the development of mankind.

Greed is not good, it is selfish and destructive.

My wife's greatest concern about me is that I dont like to socialize.

In the industry that she and I are in, socializing is of paramount importance. You know, schmooze the room.

I pretending for a long time, I am unwilling to pretend anymore.

To me to drop my facade was liberating to myself and not her.

We were two players in a game which I grew out of and she did not.

More than ever, I will stay true to my heart.

More than ever I will stand true to my visions.

P.S. Why do Aspies describe their ideals as being "seeing" or "scope" or "visions".

Shaun.environmental1st2003 <no_reply > wrote:

Shaun,Another thing is that people suddenly feel that they no longer have to make an effort to understand you once you tell them you have AS. They assume that if you have some "negative" or "peculiar" trait that is MUST be AS that's causing it, even if that trait is caused by something else entirely.They also assume that you must KNOW every single negative trait that you have and that you WANT to change them for the better, and so they criticize you when you tell them that you are happy the way you are.I mean, really, how short sighted can they be. All of us write to one another and come across as rational human beings that anyone can respect. Yet they judge us because of our sensitivities or some other difference. It's just silly.TomThis is but my own opinion. If need be, tell your secret. If not nessesary, do not.When I was diagnosed, my wife who is an insatiable gossip, told all the neighbors and pretty well any who would listen to her.Consequently, I have noticed a difference in their actions and attitudes towards me.Some are wary, like I'm a schitzo who is about to explode, others have an inate curiousity while some more dont seem to want to know me at all.In fact, as I said in my own opinion, if possible dont tell anyone.Appreciate your difference and the abilities that we have, but dont expect NT's to celebrate with you.I have noticed a big difference even how my wife treats me.She doesnt realize being an Aspie is not the same as being a leper.Shaun.

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[Guest guest]

, I agree.

Yet, these are still small fry compared with the relatively few who are at the very top of the pyramid; e.g. those who own the World Bank or Federal Reserve (which are private enterprises and not your global or national treasure chest as they would have us believe) and who can manipulate the global economy as they please, skimming interest and profit by taking advantage of the need and greed of everyone below them in the pyramid.

Have you noticed that even the richest countries in the world have huge national debts? Have you ever wondered who all this money is owed to, and who gets all that interest you pay with your tax money?

Inger

Re: Re: Official Diagnosis

Money in itself isn't a bad thing. In fact it is probably the most useful tool humanity has ever created. I mean can you imagine trying to find something to barter for a new computer?

The problem comes primarily from a small number of greedy people. Now, a certain amount of greed is not a bad thing. It is what motivates business and for people to do their best at work. However, it can be taken to extremes, like those CEOs who get $100 million for running a company into the ground, or real estate speculators who are driving home prices out of reach of many.

Those latter things could stand to be reigned in a bit, and should be.

[Guest guest]

, I agree.

Yet, these are still small fry compared with the relatively few who are at the very top of the pyramid; e.g. those who own the World Bank or Federal Reserve (which are private enterprises and not your global or national treasure chest as they would have us believe) and who can manipulate the global economy as they please, skimming interest and profit by taking advantage of the need and greed of everyone below them in the pyramid.

Have you noticed that even the richest countries in the world have huge national debts? Have you ever wondered who all this money is owed to, and who gets all that interest you pay with your tax money?

Inger

Re: Re: Official Diagnosis

Money in itself isn't a bad thing. In fact it is probably the most useful tool humanity has ever created. I mean can you imagine trying to find something to barter for a new computer?

The problem comes primarily from a small number of greedy people. Now, a certain amount of greed is not a bad thing. It is what motivates business and for people to do their best at work. However, it can be taken to extremes, like those CEOs who get $100 million for running a company into the ground, or real estate speculators who are driving home prices out of reach of many.

Those latter things could stand to be reigned in a bit, and should be.