Could this be autisim.. Or me just being stupid..?

Question

I'm 19 a few years ago I had a test for dyslexic, turns out I went my whole school life not knowing, suffering thinking it was so hard for everyone and even getting outside help to pas my higher English eventually,.
I speak weird. I struggle with speaking sometime and I regularly mispronounce words I know or stumble in my speech.. I'm ok with people I know but I still make the mistakes regularly but if I'm meeting someone new it's allot worse.

My teacher went over dyslexic and mentioned it was on the autism scale..
I looked it up and it's struck a few chords with me.. I have always been kind of socially awkward, I seem to scare people away and I get far too excited talking about a topic I enjoy or like. I raise my voice without realising it and I nerve really made close friends in school. I prefer books to people..
I have what I though may be OCD with routines but I will routine everything.. I mean everything. If we are going out I will plan days in advance what time I will get up, when I will get ready by elc.. I HAVE to be up a hour before I leave fro school end of. If I'm not I get extremely stressed even though I have plenty of time but it freaks me out. If something doesn't go to plan like someone candling last Minuit or I miss a bus or such I will get extremely upset and just enter some sort of depression...

I've never really grown up. I mean I take responceability ok, I own a car a have a job and its fine but I'm 19 and I have never been to a party or do I have any interest to do so. I stick to my routine or things I'm familiar with. I can have a drinkif I'm having a meal but if I go out I'm completely out of my comfort zone with perplexing new things environment.. I get kinda upset knowing I'm so strange about it and I'm a 'killjoy' to friends..
I'm really clumsy, I trip my feet alot and I have rediculously bad hand eye coordination.. Sports? No way..
I've never been good at many subjects unless its art. But I think that's my dyslexica apparent it makes people usually more creative?

When I was younger apparently I got into routine and stuck well but if I was ever taken out of it I was a tough baby/toddler..

Should I see a doctor about this..? Or am I just being stupid..

Answer 1

Hello,



There is a complete difference between being stupid and learning differently. I don't believe anyone is stupid. I believe stupidity is measured by a person's laziness and ignorance. Everyone can learn. That's the same for people with learning differences and other neurological conditions such as autism spectrum disorders. It is just a different way of perceiving the world and having extended needs.



I can't say you have aspergers syndrome since I don't know you personally. However, strong need for routines is a core symptom of an autism spectrum disorder. Before you label yourself, make the best out of your difficulties yourself. Knowing what the issue is IS the first step to solving the problem. However, gaining some coping skills when you are trying to deal with a specific disability or any difficulty in life in particular IS VERY important to gain.



As for diagnosing dyslexia, SOME eye doctors can diagnose dyslexia. However, an eye doctor can only test for a visual perceptive disorder, which is called "Irlens syndrome". Irlens syndrome often occurs with dyslexia. There are also many dyslexia centers that run assessments for dyslexia. However, unless the assessor is a licensed professional, their diagnosis will not be official. The main options are licensed psychologists, medical doctors, and neuropsychologists.



As for diagnosing aspergers syndrome, a neuropsychologist or a psychiatrist (known as a medical doctor) can run various neurological assessments. However, neurological testing is is not a requirement for diagnoses.



Just to ADD: Dyslexia and autism are not the same thing. They are both neurological conditions, but they are completely different disorders as both disorders have no relationship of combined symptoms.



Aspergers opinion: In my opinion, half of the people diagnosed with aspergers syndrome don't actually have it. From what I have seen over the internet, many enjoy self-diagnosing themsleves all because they're a little quirky and is too eager to label themselves. People need to be careful before they "self-diagnose" themselves because they need to think about the people with autism who can't speak and make a living for themselves. Aspergers is part of the reason why the autism spectrum has increased so much. So I advise you to be careful before diagnosing yourself. There is nothing "mild" about typical autism. You either have autism or you don't. Same with ADHD. My goal is to just give advice on disabilities and further treatment options, not diagnose people over the internet. But aspergers is technically a gift. There are positives and negetives about it. Since I am not a parent, I can't say the same for low functioning autism.



Good luck with everything! I wish you the best. :)

Answer 2

edit: Dyslexia & Autism are NOT linked, it is NOT something professionals disagree about & your teacher is NOT a medical professional qualified to diagnose Autism, nor is your teacher a psychologist qualified to diagnose dyslexia. What most teachers know about Special Educational Needs you could write on the back of a stamp. If your teacher is making available literature that claims Dyslexia & Autism are linked or there are websites out there that they claim they are then you should ignore them.



People can have one or more diagnoses, a person with Autism can have Dyslexia and vice versa but it doesn't automatically follow they are linked.







original answer: Your teacher is an idiot, dyslexia is not linked to Autism - it is possible to have one or more conditions but there no direct link between Autism & Dyslexia



You're 19, nobody expects you to be a completely formed adult at the age of 19 complete - the law (in most countries) says we are adults at 18, it doesn't mean that socially, emotionally or physically we are adults. The fact that you're not interested in certain things like parties doesn't automatically mean you're Autistic, social skills can be learned & we refine these skills as we grow older and we are exposed to different scenarios & gain more experience.



Wanting to have a routine, planning ahead, wanting to feel secure is not a bad thing but there are some things we can't control, buses will come early, people will pull out at the last minute, etc you will learn over time to accept that there are things we can't control



I don't think you're being stupid & you shouldn't berate yourself, there are very few people out there who will have read about Autism & not come away thinking they may be a bit on the spectrum. In your shoes, I would investigate how an adult could be referred to be assessed for Autism but I would leave it a while, wait a few months & then re-consider the information you've come across

Answer 3

Dyslexia is not on the Autism scale. It's a completely different thing. You also sound like you might be ADD rather than Autism. Especially the over excitedness of subjects you like and the social awkwardness. In fact, most people with ADD are also Dyslexic or have Social Anxiety Disorder, many have both. I'd definatly say see a psychologist. Even if it turns out that you don't have Autism or ADD and you are just wierd, it will at least let you understand yourself better, which is never a bad thing. Just make sure it's a doctor who specializes in this stuff. Their as many crasy psychologists as their are good ones.

Answer 4

Your teacher has misinformed you as dyslexia is not part of the autistic spectrum, it is a completely different condition. Having said that, it is quite common for a person to have several different conditions which are unrelated to one another. What you describe sounds rather like Attentional Deficit Disorder but without a proper assessment no one can diagnose you. Seek professional input if you feel you would benefit from having a diagnosis to explain your difficulties

Answer 5

Unless you're really having issues with it and it's ruining your life, I don't think you need to worry. If it will make you feel better, go ahead and talk to a doctor. Maybe you do have autism, so what? You've gotten along on your own so it really shouldn't matter. Good luck :)

Answer 6

sound a bit like Autism, I would advise getting a diagnoses

Answer 7

I only read one sentence. Let me just say that Dyslexia isn't a real disease. It literally means, "Difficulty with words." No credible doctor even considers it a real disease.