It has been 13 months since I was diagnosed at CLASS (Cambridge, UK) with Asperger syndrome. Fortunately I have non of the 'co-morbids' that others I have read about describe, but I am in the minority of diagnosed AS with a full-time job. Essentially I am getting on alright. My mood is generally neutral.
Today at work one of my manager's described me a 'slow' refering to me as James May 'captin slow' from the BBC2 Top Gear programme. This doesn't offend me, nor should any of you see this manager in a negative way, he and I just have very different personalities.
It has really taken me along time to come to terms with having AS. This is because of the lack of support services for employed people diagnosed with AS. My work have helped me but I can't expect my managers to understand me, just accept me, which they generally do.
My own conclusion about myself and AS has always been that because I am methodical and matter-of-fact and detailed, etc. that I probably am considered 'slow' althought also considered 'intelligent'.
As I try to cope with the exhaustion and anxiety of daily life with AS I wonder if being described as 'slow' isn't infact such a bad thing because if people assume they need to give me more time (and more help) then my life will be less stressful.
I am very slow at doing science labs, particularly when there's a lot of noise and movement, and especially if the lab partner is disinterested and not doing all the things they're supposed to do.
Going from that environment, to working with someone who cares or by myself, when it's quiet and not being pressured on time (for tasks where time doesn't factor), then I actually do very well.
With me it is difficult because certain things I can do more quickly than others and certain other things a lot more slowly - so because of this variation I often get frustrated with myself for the things I can only do slowly and also I've been bullied because of it.
Far as i'm aware Captain Slow was more taking the piss out of James May's leisurely, old man-like driving style rather than any serious neurological conditions he may or may not suffer from.
Disclaimer: James May may or may not suffer from a serious neurological condition.
With me it is difficult because certain things I can do more quickly than others and certain other things a lot more slowly - so because of this variation I often get frustrated with myself for the things I can only do slowly and also I've been bullied because of it.
Yes, plus if I am pressured I go even slower because I get a mind blank-out.
Ian is right, the original joke was about his slow driving and I appreciate the reference is meaningless to anyone who doesn't watch the programme (I did for a time but haven't for the last few years). In fact I am not a slow driver at all.
What I was getting at is the reference to being a slow person.
However I have to say that now, as with most of the threads I start, the comment and reference now mean nothing to me because I've appreciated that this manager is really just an ignorant idiot and it is the fact that I am more thoughtful that allows me to give him the benefit of the doubt.
He thinks I'm slow which is fine by me because I would rather take time to formulate the right decision rather than take the wrong decision just to look quick and decisive.
It has been 13 months since I was diagnosed at CLASS (Cambridge, UK) with Asperger syndrome. Fortunately I have non of the 'co-morbids' that others I have read about describe......
....Today at work one of my manager's described me a 'slow' refering to me as James May 'captin slow' .....
I am ‘slow’, but it is simply a perspective of 'NT’ism'…. I figure that I am quite quick at other subjects, which, the processing for happens in my head exponentially. So, are you slow? Or, ‘more quick’ at being thorough?…. You are not ‘slow’, it is all about, and depends on one's perspective….
Sadly... I have co-morbid stuff that makes me even 'slower' (not really though)... 'perspectively' speaking.....
There is someone at my work who I think has OCD. She goes into things a lot more deeply than even I do (while I like to look into things, I also like to get them done fairly quickly) and gets very frustrated that other people don't do the same. I find it hard listening to her on the phone getting into knots because she is trying to explain complicated concepts to others and wish she could just ease up (but then with OCD it's probably not possible but then she could do some other kind of work that is less stressful and I'm sure the boss wouldn't mind)
With me it is difficult because certain things I can do more quickly than others and certain other things a lot more slowly - so because of this variation I often get frustrated with myself for the things I can only do slowly and also I've been bullied because of it.
Yes, plus if I am pressured I go even slower because I get a mind blank-out.
Yeah, I've done the same thing, except it would often get taken as me going deliberately slow just to frustrate the other people (usually other kids) who were urging me to go faster. I was always the slowest at putting stuff away in my desk, and yet it still managed to be quite messy.
I am very slow.
Slowness is very common in NVLD.
Slowness is also common in AS, but not to the same extent as in NVLD.
Since many aspies meet some NVLD criteria, it is not surprising that many aspies are slow.
I feel I got slower, in some ways over the last few years, but that I think, doesn't come from being autistic.
Odd thing is, I feel it, but other people still think i am one of the most intelligent people they know, still, its frustrating and damned annoying not being up to my own standards.
I am very slow.
Slowness is very common in NVLD.
Slowness is also common in AS, but not to the same extent as in NVLD.
Since many aspies meet some NVLD criteria, it is not surprising that many aspies are slow.
What is NVLD?
What is NVLD?
NVLD is Non-Verbal Learning Disability:
http://www.nldline.com/
Nonverbal Learning Disability (NVLD) is a neurological syndrome consisting of specific assets and deficits. The assets include early speech and vocabulary development, remarkable rote memory skills, attention to detail, early reading skills development and excellent spelling skills. In addition, these individuals have the verbal ability to express themselves eloquently. Moreover, persons with NVLD have strong auditory retention. Four major categories of deficits and dysfunction also present themselves:
•motoric (lack of coordination, severe balance problems, and difficulties with graphomotor skills).
•visual-spatial-organizational (lack of image, poor visual recall, faulty spatial perceptions, difficulties with executive function* and problems with spatial relations).
•social (lack of ability to comprehend nonverbal communication, difficulties adjusting to transitions and novel situations, and deficits in social judgment and social interaction).
•sensory (sensitivity in any of the sensory modes: visual, auditory, tactile, taste or olfactory)
I am very slow.
Slowness is very common in NVLD.
Slowness is also common in AS, but not to the same extent as in NVLD.
Since many aspies meet some NVLD criteria, it is not surprising that many aspies are slow.
I would correct that to say that most Aspies meet some NVLD criteria, and many fit all the necessary criteria. Only some have just a couple NVLD traits or none at all.
A lot of experts consider NVLD to be an unnecessary "splitting" of the Asperger category.
Heh. My family was fond of retelling the story about when my father was a child. The house was on fire. Everyone was outside and noticed he was not with them. He was found still inside the house, sitting on the heat register, calmly lacing up his boots. He remarked "I'm cold". He was late to pretty much everything.
