bing181

As a fairly regular visitor to this site, I can’t help but admire the way we as an older community of cyclists tackle the various health issues that come with ageing. As such, a small contribution on my part:

I’ve recently, at the age of 62 been diagnosed with Asperger’s. Or, as it’s now classified in the U.S., Autism Spectrum Disorder.

This has come as something of a shock to me, but equally a huge relief. It explains much, if not all, of my life and my past, both good and bad, and maps out a much clearer path forward for myself and my family. Ironically enough, it was through my cycling that I auto-diagnosed, when I started to sift through comments from friends and acquaintances such as “you always seem to ride by yourself” or “you always seem to ride the same circuits” or “thanks for the info on component compatibility, your research is always thorough”.

But I’m not so much posting here to share my personal story, but this:

Asperger’s as a diagnosis has only existed since the mid 90’s. Not that long ago. Which means that we who are 50+ could never have been diagnosed when we were younger. A UK enquiry by the University of Leicester estimated that in the UK there could be up to 600K people on the autism spectrum who are undiagnosed, many of them older.

This isn’t the place to go into what constitutes autism, or what the symptoms are, there’s plenty of information on the net. But be aware, it isn’t just limited to the textbook symptoms around social issues, nor is there a single, typical, profile - which is one of the reasons I’ve flown under the radar for so long.

Current estimates for prevalence are around 1 in 100 - but as it’s more prevalent in boys, it’s more like 1 in 80 amongst males. If you have an inkling that you might be one of those, or even if you know someone, I’d encourage you to look into it. There is info on the net from reliable sources - and unreliable sources - as well as reputable online tests for Asperger’s, such as the RAADS 14 test (Short Autism Screening Test) and the Simon Baron Cohen AQ test (https://psychology-tools.com/autism-spectrum-quotient/)

This is a fairly unlikely place for a discussion of possible Asperger’s, because one of the characteristics of autism is an underlying issue with motor skills and body/space awareness - not conducive to bike riding where a good sense of balance is an essential. So yes, I’m a rubbish descender, and no, I don’t feel comfortable in a group. On the other hand, I can ride strongly all day, and I enjoy it.

Any questions, feel free, and apologies for the length of the above: people on the spectrum tend to be perfectionist, and when explaining something, we generally feel the need to make sure all the i’s are dotted!

qcpmsame 

Good post, thanks for bringing out some interesting points about Asperger's. Some of your "symptoms" sound very familiar, perhaps more of us are involved with this, than we first realize. Getting a diagnosis for a chronic condition always gives you some peace of mind, finally getting my diagnosis for Parkinson's Disease was actually a relief for me. It sounds like your experience with Asperger's is much like mine, with PD, putting together the pieces of a puzzle, that the various symptoms made up. So many things that we have dealt with over the years come together when you finally have things in a clear picture, whether its a self diagnosis, like you have used, or from a physician. Or, perhaps a combination of both, which best describes my case.

I thing I will look up some of the references you have listed, they might be clues, for other folks that have asked me questions, about things that effect their lives, much like you have dealt with. It may even apply to me, until I do the research, I will never have any idea.

I see you are a long term member, you predate me by 4 years, but I haven't seen you in the 50+, that I can recall. Thanks for the thoughtful thread, and do stick around the forum more often, please.

Bill

bing181

Bill

Interesting to read in the context of my own situation, and yes, it was a relief for me. Saved my marriage - don't know how long the other half would have put up with me once the kids leave home in the near future. For example, we've stopped arguing, who would've thunk! Just wish I'd known 20+ years ago, which is also partly why I put up the post, but there you go.

Just a couple of points:

- I initially self-diagnosed (as many Aspies do), but had an official diagnosis soon after. In my case it was with a specialist doctor, but diagnosis pathways vary from country to country.

- For anyone interested, if there's such a thing as the best place to start re Asperger's info, it's Tony Atwood's site: Home.

The links I included in my initial post are online tests. There are also some interesting online blogs around the place, including on Youtube. Aspies mightn't do so well in a crowded room, but many are right at home on the internet.

BadBurrito

Thank you for your post.

dbg

I suspect there's room for many of us on the autism spectrum. Jerry Seinfeld recently disclosed that he is on that spectrum.
I would relate a story my brother is involved in.. He is a golf pro in Sumerville, SC and befriended a local kid who was retrieving golf balls along the course edges and selling them back to players. He fit somewhere well up on the autism scale, didn't relate well in school or public situations. Perry (bother) asked him what he would do with the money. He wanted golf lessons. Perry (who has a well respected youth program in golf instruction) brought him into his First Tee program. That kid absolutely flowered. He practiced endlessly, opened up socially (which is a BIG part of the First Tee program), made his HS golf team, and achieved the highest status in the First Tee program (kinda like Eagle Scout). The repetitive nature of golf practice apparently fits well with autistic tendencies, --and excelling in something aids in social interaction. I have met Ricky and he is now very engaging socially. That is so cool.

tsl

Aspie here. Welcome.

John E

I am glad there is a growing recognition that many of us "normal" folks exhibit varying levels of traits commonly attributed to folks with "mental illness." There are probably lots of successful high-functioning autistic people in each of our communities, possibly families. Thank you for this informative and timely thread, and best wishes to you.

jimincalif

Have a 24 year old son who is Aspergers. Been looking for years for something that he'd be interested in and could lead him to interact socially. The golf thing is interesting, no golfers in our family so it's never been on the radar, will have to explore this a bit. Thanks for starting this thread.

bing181

Well yes there are, but they're the exceptions. The vast majority of people on the spectrum, including at the "high functioning" end, are unemployed or underemployed, very few are in long-term relationships or any kind of relationship, they're 10 times more likely to have suicidal thoughts, and from what I can see, many are simply struggling through life, trying to fit their round pegs into square holes.

Wheever

Thank you for sharing your story and diagnosis, Bing. I have always wondered what having a diagnosis like that late in life might effect a person.

I learned about Asperger's in the late '90s when dating a woman who worked with autistic children. One of the things I realized was that a number of my closest friends were somewhere on the spectrum, and understanding Asperger's helped me understand them better. (They are all "different" in ways that has always appealed to me in people, and all of them are highly intelligent, full of facts and details about things, nerdy, meticulously honest and forthright, have a dry sense of humor, low emotional drama quotient, etc.) A couple have an official diagnosis, a couple don't, and for those haven't had a diagnosis, I haven't felt it was my place to suggest it. Your story makes me ponder whether or not I perhaps should, because it might help them.

Thanks again for sharing with us!

79pmooney

I spent my life as a round peg. Social life was a real challenge as were relationships. Fell into an addiction that cost me a lot. My change and growth started when I entered a 12 step fellowship and started on a path of real friendships and social interactions. One person who has known me from my first meeting called one day and said that she was virtually certain I was Aspergers and gave me a website I could go to and test myself. I did and passed easily. That despite being high functioning enough to be able to pass myself off as almost normal. This happened 11 years ago when I was 51.

As Bill said (post 2), being diagnosed was a huge relief. I was quite certain from that test on that I was and said as much to family and friends, but heard a lot of doubts, esp from family. My cousin gave me a book (Songs of the Gorilla Nation) written by a woman who cannot pass as "normal", Dawn Prince-Hughes. Her description of her childhood years and her coping schemes was the first ever description of my childhood I had ever read. I knew I was without a doubt before I was halfway through the book. It took the psychiatrist months to reach the same conclusion and I think the turning point was him watching how I reacted when he told me he wasn't going to diagnose me Aspie. (I shut down; classic Aspergers.)

Ben

bing181

The choice of whether or not to undertake a diagnosis is a bit like choosing bike shorts. It's very personal and very much down to the individual. Some people don't want or need the bit of paper. But there's a difference between not knowing and not being diagnosed. There's also a difference between "Asperger's-like-traits" - which are a part of the standard range of human behaviours - and being Asperger or on the spectrum.

Thanks also for your post. You've summed up a number of the Aspie positives well - better than I could have, and in much shorter time!

catgita

There was much talk about it in my family when it entered the public consciousness. I seem to test within the low end of the self tests, but I question what to do with such diagnosis. Occasionally there is a conversation that goes "you just have to try, and practice", and I reply "you just don't understand, I don't work in that way".

Of course, one of the good things, being good with details and remembering stuff, is something I rely on heavily in my profession, but being 50+ means I can't remember as much as I used to.

VegasTriker

It is interesting that you post the very week that The Newshour on Public Television is running a series on autism. Last night was the first installment.

I've been a Scout leader for many years and in the past decade came across two Scouts who I thought were undiagnosed autistic. Time magazine ran a story on Aspergers Syndrome and this one boy fit all the criteria they listed. Both would probably be classified as Aspies. The leaders nicknamed one "space cadet" for two reasons. He knew far more about the space program than any of us did and he seemed to often be in a world of his own. He did have difficulty relating to other Scouts as that was all he ever wanted to talk about. Ordinary kids get tired of that pretty quickly. He moved away after a year or two so I don't know how things turned out as he got older. Both boys were exceedingly smart and could learn things faster than most other boys.

mprelaw

You have probably heard the old cliche, "if you've met one person with Asperger's syndrome, you've met one person with Asperger's syndrome". We (yes, me too) are all different. Not all of us have motor skills/coordination issues. Not all of us suffer extreme sensory issues. Some of us can function OK in social situations, but usually after many years of learning how. It's a wide spectrum. One thing that age and experience teaches: most mature adults will accept you the way you are, if you present to them as a decent human being.

Needles

One thing that complicates a diagnosis is age. By the time an ASD person is in their 50s, especially milder cases, they have learned to adapt to the social awkwardness, as well as other things, so that they mostly fit in. (I'm a late diagnosis, too.) An understanding, tolerant spouse is a plus!

auldgeunquers

I have a friend and former colleague who has a diagnossis of Aspergers. For him, music is a tool that aids social sitiations. He is one of those peoples who can pick up his guitar and seems to be able to competetently play and sing anything he has heard that interests him. Great party trick that.

But ... as Brian once said, "You are all individuals" and as the crowd echo "We are all individuals", and what works for your son may not be anything that works for anyone else.

Hope you find what you're looking for.

Peace, eh?

peterws

Blimey! Sounds like me too. Is there a club to join?? (!). I can sit at a pavement cafe smiling at people who pass or partake. . . Nothing! I goes to the loo, and the wifes chatting to everybody there when I get back. I ask her what she did, and she sez "Nuthin! Just happens!

I fare better under the influence. . . heh heh