Dyslexia and/or Asperger
Hello,
I like to know as much as possible about diagnosing Dyslexia instead of Asperger. A friend of mine is diagnoses with Dyslexia but believes she may have Asperger instead - or in addition.
What are the differences, and what are the similarities by diagnosing and actually by living with the phenomena?
I would be happy for any comments. I would also like to use anonymous comments in a paper I liek to write about diagnosing Dyslexia with or wrongly instead of Asperger. I appreciate any comments here or via email: sdern@gmx.com
Thank you very much,
Sebastian
How are dyslexia and Asperger's similiar? the only way i can think of is that both have extremely high rates of Scotopic Sensitivity Syndrome- half of autists and two thirds of dyslexics have it. check out
http://www.irlen.com.
One significant difference I've noticed is that dislexics get much more sympathy and understanding that Aspies, and more positive write-ups in the media, which often refer to their above average visual intelligence and related issues (Aspies, depending on the definition used, are usually even better; articles usually fail to mention this).
It seems that, as far as the common herd is concerned, dyslexics (if that's all they have; these two things are not mutually exclusive not inextricably linked) are seen as "NTs with problems", whereas most Aspies are assumed to be jerks who are being deliberately thick; the lack of awareness of non-verbal cues and their use in normal communication (and related aspects of outlook and interaction) which is central to what Asperger (and later, Attwood) observed, is not often a problem for dyslexics (nor, confusingly, for many who are diagnosed "AS" by the DSM method, which seems to have been specifically designed to confuse issues). NTs, for the most part, use non-verbal communication so unconsciously they are not even aware of it, and thus are quite oblivious to the reasons people like myself have trouble understanding them (missing information) nor will they normally recognise that it's their fault if they ignore our clearly stated message, in favour of their own reinterpretation of what we say, based on their own misreading of our body language (which means nothing to Aspies, and so it doesn't develop as it does for NTs; there's simply no feed-back mechanism).
It should be clear that, while some individuals can have both (just like some redheads can have blue eyes) living with these conditions are entirely seperate issues; it's worth considering that most Aspies who don't have the morbidities (by which the DSM defines AS) to any significant levels, will remain undiagnosed, at least until they read about it themselves, and recognised those aspects which are enormously significant in their lives, but which tend to be dismissed as "unreal", "imagined" or irrelevant by many of the DSM AS kind who display no vestige of the autistic outlook which is a fundamental component of real Aspies. As no one has bothered to survey this disparity, there's no way of knowing at present what percentage of real Aspies are essentially symptomless from a clinical point of view; I suspect if it ever gets done, we'll prove to be in the majority.
I am a parent of a dylexic and a child diagnosed with AS. In my experience the two could not be more different in how they are perceived. I wholeheartedly agree with the previous post. My dyslexic child is almost hypersocial. She is always outside playing with 6 or 7 kids at a time she does receive tons of sympathy her teachers all love her. My sweet son with AS all I heard in preschool was what he did wrong and that he is a bad child. He doesn`t get alot of sympathy just the 'look'. Luckily we just were diagnosed this year his teach has been wonderful. Dyslexia struggling academic socially sharp AS cognitvely sharp social struggle
Hi I,m new to the forum so hello everyone.This particular thread caught my eye.My son was DX dyslexic at 6 and AS at 8.I have found the two conditions compound one another.He has very little self esteem, suffers depression, :roll: , hates school(not unusual),hates writing etc etc.I have found it very difficult trying to find someone who could provide the right approach for him in the classroom, no one really seems to understand the difficulties he has on a sensory level, perceptual level, etc.Trying to switch him on to school is impossible, I really feel for him having to conform to the way the school want him to learn.
Hi maddog, is he in a regular school? Does he have a support/aid worker in the classroom with him?
Does he have a statement of SEN?
it's worth considering that most Aspies who don't have the morbidities (by which the DSM defines AS) to any significant levels, will remain undiagnosed, at least until they read about it themselves, and recognised those aspects which are enormously significant in their lives, but which tend to be dismissed as "unreal", "imagined" or irrelevant by many of the DSM AS kind who display no vestige of the autistic outlook which is a fundamental component of real Aspies. As no one has bothered to survey this disparity, there's no way of knowing at present what percentage of real Aspies are essentially symptomless from a clinical point of view; I suspect if it ever gets done, we'll prove to be in the majority.
I found this passage a bit confusing, so I may have misunderstood your point.
How can someone be "symptomless" and be a "real Aspie" when someone who has DSM symptoms is not (and is therefore a "fake Aspie")? What exactly do you consider a "real Aspie" to be? I understand the view that the DSM is too vague and still have some reservations about my own doctor's diagnosis (AS+ADHD+depression), but that would suggest that the DSM is overly inclusive and shouldn't exclude any "real Aspies".
For what it's worth, the DSM criteria for autism are essentially the same (but with delayed communication and/or a lack of imaginative play), so are you also suggesting there are also "real autistics" who have no symptoms and "fake autistics" who do?
What is the "autistic outlook"? Are you referring to prognosis? I don't think it's appropriate to trivialize someone else's diagnosis based on the fact that they remain optimistic about their future or because they have actually managed to put together something that externally resembles a "normal" adult life. I am (at age 40) in a (dysfunctional) relationship and employed in a job aligned with my two main perseverative interests (which can be a gilded cage), but that doesn't erase decades of confusion and suffering.
I am very sceptical of the Government's inclusion policy. 'One size fits all' schooling is primarily to save money on special schools and support workers in my experience.
It may indeed help some children, but there should not be a fixed rule when it is clear that it can't possibly suit all children, and the many different needs that each child can have.
My son had so many problems when his school was closed down, and the land sold off, and all the children were pushed into inclusion at local primary schools. It led to many autistic children being excluded, as the school simply could not cope, my son was excluded too.
Some parents turn to home schooling, I admire their patience and energy, I know that it would not work for me, I am painfully disorganized. He is now in a special school and does much better overall.
One significant difference I've noticed is that dislexics get much more sympathy and understanding that Aspies, and more positive write-ups in the media, which often refer to their above average visual intelligence and related issues (Aspies, depending on the definition used, are usually even better; articles usually fail to mention this).
It seems that, as far as the common herd is concerned, dyslexics (if that's all they have; these two things are not mutually exclusive not inextricably linked) are seen as "NTs with problems", whereas most Aspies are assumed to be jerks who are being deliberately thick; the lack of awareness of non-verbal cues and their use in normal communication (and related aspects of outlook and interaction) which is central to what Asperger (and later, Attwood) observed, is not often a problem for dyslexics (nor, confusingly, for many who are diagnosed "AS" by the DSM method, which seems to have been specifically designed to confuse issues).
NTs, for the most part, use non-verbal communication so unconsciously they are not even aware of it, and thus are quite oblivious to the reasons people like myself have trouble understanding them (missing information) nor will they normally recognise that it's their fault if they ignore our clearly stated message, in favour of their own reinterpretation of what we say, based on their own misreading of our body language (which means nothing to Aspies, and so it doesn't develop as it does for NTs; there's simply no feed-back mechanism).
Interesting points - I have often found that no matter how clearly I state the facts to certain NT's, they just do not listen and take notice. I don't say these things just for the sake of it and if I say I can or cannot do a particular thing, that is because it is the truth. It's not a matter of wanting sympathy or special treatment: just the recognition that "one size does NOT fit all".
Dyslexic and Aspeger's Syndrome here.
One significant difference I've noticed is that dislexics get much more sympathy and understanding that Aspies, and more positive write-ups in the media, which often refer to their above average visual intelligence and related issues (Aspies, depending on the definition used, are usually even better; articles usually fail to mention this).
It seems that, as far as the common herd is concerned, dyslexics (if that's all they have; these two things are not mutually exclusive not inextricably linked) are seen as "NTs with problems", whereas most Aspies are assumed to be jerks who are being deliberately thick; the lack of awareness of non-verbal cues and their use in normal communication (and related aspects of outlook and interaction) which is central to what Asperger (and later, Attwood) observed, is not often a problem for dyslexics (nor, confusingly, for many who are diagnosed "AS" by the DSM method, which seems to have been specifically designed to confuse issues).
NTs, for the most part, use non-verbal communication so unconsciously they are not even aware of it, and thus are quite oblivious to the reasons people like myself have trouble understanding them (missing information) nor will they normally recognise that it's their fault if they ignore our clearly stated message, in favour of their own reinterpretation of what we say, based on their own misreading of our body language (which means nothing to Aspies, and so it doesn't develop as it does for NTs; there's simply no feed-back mechanism).
Interesting points - I have often found that no matter how clearly I state the facts to certain NT's, they just do not listen and take notice. I don't say these things just for the sake of it and if I say I can or cannot do a particular thing, that is because it is the truth. It's not a matter of wanting sympathy or special treatment: just the recognition that "one size does NOT fit all".
But they still cannot understand what that means. They still insist I am just being a lazy bastard if I don't do things the way they do. They don't believe me when I say I can't do this or that--the answer is always that I am lazy or pessimistic or unmotivated.
The real answer is that I genuinely cannot do what they think I should be able to do.