The Autism spectrum is a diverse spectrum of different profiles or as Donna Williams puts it “Fruit Salads” and different profiles means different presentations – I myself was diagnosed with Autism in 2010 and through recent interesting and fascinating conversations with Donna here is why I have an Autie Profile.
higher degrees and severity of gut, immune, metabolic disorders, epilepsy and genetic anomalies impacting health systems – This is related to the family and history of cancer of both sides of my family including a recognised gene deletion
mood, anxiety, compulsive disorders commonly observed since infancy – This is in my book “Living Through The Haze” in my early years I was showing signs of these issues from pre-school onwards
commonly amazing balance but commonly hypotonia
simultagnosia/meaning blindness rather than just scotopic sensitivity – Visual fragmentation and “seeing without meaning” is specifically to do with both simultagnosia, context blindness and semantic agnosia
verbal agnosia/meaning deafness – I have problem with filtering words with meaning they revert back sounds the larger the chunks of information
verbal communication impairments (aphasia, oral dyspraxia, verbal agnosia and associated echolalia and commonly secondary Selective Mutism)- “losing words within me”, having problems with articulation, patterning, themeing and feeling my own langauge (before interpartive language), reading information without meaning, echolalia and when speech was gained
higher severity of LD/Dyslexia/agnosias – Yes this relates to understanding/processing information
tendency toward OCD/Tourettes, also higher rate of Schizotypal PD, DPD is common and tends to be more severe – Yes developed OCD aged 12, tic disorder and throat clearing age 8, Schizotypal and Borderline PDs
higher tendency to Exposure Anxiety more than AvPD – Exposure Anxiety in Childhood/Teenage Years and and Early Adulthood
higher tendency toward dissociative states (dissociation, derealisation, depersonalisation) – Yes this relates to me
poetry by those with autism as opposed to AS commonly indicates those with autism can have high levels of introspection, insight – Yes this does relate to me
ADHD extremely common co-occurrence – Hyperactivity as a child
Conclusion
Donna Williams Analogy does expand on the true diversity of Autism and all it’s different presentations I hope this helps others as much as it has helped me.
Paul was branded as a “naughty & difficult child” at school. He was classically autistic and non-verbal due to speech articulation difficulties. He had complex sensory issues and appeared both deaf and blind. He gained functional speech around the age of 7 or 8 years old. He went through the mainstream school system with no additional help or recognition of his autism. Consequently, he did not achieve his academic or his social potential and had very low self-esteem.
At age 11, Paul was referred to the children’s mental health service with childhood depression where he was regarded as “developmentally underage” and having speech problems.
As an adult, Paul had a string of unsuccessful jobs, and his mental health suffered. He developed both Borderline and Schizotypal Personality Disorders in early 2007. He was referred to mental health services and misdiagnosed with “Asperger traits with a complex personality”, which did not satisfy Paul or his family. A local autism organisation put Paul in touch with an experienced psychiatrist, who diagnosed him with Autism at 24 years old.
In 2012 Paul was also diagnosed with Scotopic Sensitivity Syndrome by an Irlen Consultant who confirmed that he also had face, object and meaning blindness – conditions which Paul describes eloquently in his speeches and training sessions. He also has dyslexia, dyscalculia and also a dissociative disorder.
Having started working as an local autism organisation as a public speaker in 2010, Paul joined their mission to promote autism awareness. His hope is that others will not have to suffer as he did. Now also a core member of our Training Team, Paul continues to enhance true understanding of autism at every opportunity.
Paul has released and published 5 books on the subject of autism published by Chipmunka publishing and has contributed to other books too.
Having overcome many challenges to achieve the success that he now enjoys, Paul’s message is that Autism is a complex mix of ability and disability. He firmly believes that every Autistic person should have the opportunity to reach their potential and be regarded as a valued member of society.
Apart from autism related blogs Paul also write about movies, fashion, art and anything that is of interest.
As of August 2015 Paul now works as a freelance speaker, training and consultant in and around the Oxfordshire & Buckinghamshire area.
If you are interested please contact him via email at staypuft12@yahoo.co.uk
4 thoughts on “Why I have Autism and not Asperger’s Syndrome? – Diversity Within The Spectrum – Donna Williams Fruit Salad Analogy”
Nice post. I was checking constantly this blog and I am
impressed! Very helpful info specifically the last part 🙂 I
care for such info much. I was looking for this
particular info for a long time. Thank you and best of luck.
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November 8, 2014 at 6:45 am
Thanks for sharing your life with us. I am sending this to some of my kiddos’ and adults’ parents.
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June 26, 2015 at 1:08 pm
Nice post. I was checking constantly this blog and I am
impressed! Very helpful info specifically the last part 🙂 I
care for such info much. I was looking for this
particular info for a long time. Thank you and best of luck.
LikeLike