It's been a bit since i've posted but there is never a lack of things to talk about.
Today i'd like to talk about some of the co-morbid conditions that are commonly present with Autism spectrum disorders, including which affect me.
This is by no means an attempt at a complete list, it's actually fairly exhausting how many different things may be linked, but some do not have enough research yet to be formally included, such as:
Oppositional Defiance Disorder
I was observed very early in my educational life as being an odd duck, being evaluated as early as the first grade. It was recommended that i see a therapist, even at that age, but my mother, fearing the social stigma that accompanies mental illness (and perhaps in part, due to our poverty) did not agree with that accessment. This diagnosis was given to me after several ADD/ADHD diagnosis have already been leveled towards me, but know that this particular co-morbid condition is rare, and tends to be reserved for those the research suggests are "lower functioning."
Bad handwriting? Check. Clumsy as all heck? Check. Inability to hit a softball lobbed underhanded in front of me? check. Another co-morbid condition for those on the spectrum that is very common is called Dyspraxia, or Motor skills disorder. My handwriting to this day is quite awful, but it seems we live in an age where that is of much less consequence now thanks to computers, smartphones, and email usage, but it was a huge stumbling block when i was a kid in school. Many a paper was returned covered in red ink with words circled and question marks written by them. =-/ My inability to be very coordinated also made team sports, and all sports, quite rough for me, ensuring that i was always an awkward and below average performer in every one i tried. And i DID try. I went out for baseball, but had trouble both catching AND hitting. I managed to get on the basketball team, but largely out of pity, and was barely every allowed to actual play at games (unless of course we were getting destroyed or ahead by an absurd number or the coach wanted a laugh.) I did later develop respectable shooting skills in basketball, but could not "move" with the ball very well at all.. still can't. A life of the mind is more in line with my abilities and i'm ok with that. I can play tactical games with uncanny proficiency and skill and that suits me just fine. =-D It does contribute to the amount of bullying and teasing you get in school invariably however. Part of the package.
This is in part related to Sensory Processing Disorder, which is basically over or under sensitivity to a wide variety of stimuli. There are many theories and studies being done regarding this, and many a person with ASD can readily identify with this particular disorder. I myself have heightened sense of hearing, sensitivity to light, and sense of smell, but an under sensitivity to pain in general. This plays a big factor in a pretty common occurrence for many of us which is "sensory overload" or Overstimulation. Sometime's the supermarket seems quiet and bearable, other times, it's packed with people, very LOUD machines are moving and beeping, people bump into you, and then your starting to have a meltdown in the store. It's pretty easy for this to creep up on you before you fully realize it and then you've got a rough day ahead of yourself. People likely won't understand and often will be judgmental and rude but if you have to just run the hell out of a place because your feeling overwhelmed, ignore the peanut gallery and get the heck out of there.
Depression/Bipolar/unipolar disorders.
All dreadfully common co-morbid conditions unfortunately. The depression does TEND to be directly related to the communicative difficulties we all have on the spectrum (you'd be frustrated and depressive too if you couldn't relate to anyone) so thankfully this one tends to be something (at least in my opinion) i think can be best dealt with by having supportive people in your life and a network to make you feel wanted, and valid. I want to be independent, i WANT to have friends and a job and contribute as best i can, but fighting and uphill battle against a close minded and merciless world takes it's toll. I would always advocate talk therapy and the human element over medication first and foremost. This is not enough in ALL CASES of course.
ADHD
Well this was what started me on my journey. I was diagnosed with ADHD as a child, and this is a pretty common co morbid condition. However, after being tried on several medications (including the classic, ritialin) They found no positive effects. I lost weight as a result of the ritalin in particular, and as a very skinny child to begin with, they gave up on the drug route. It turns out that it's a pretty common misdiagnosis, to mistake those on the spectrum who may have accelerated skills in certain areas, or mild savantism, as having a hyperactivity problem. When in fact, they are just completing the standard educational material at a much faster rate then those around them, and as a result, incredibly bored and understimulated, resulting in "hyperactive" behavior.
There are a few others, with scant research to back them up... Like Bowel disorders, or Anxiety disorders (which are often just par for course under an ASD diagnosis) But those are the one i personally have had experience with. For every 100 people that read this, i'd like for there to be a few people that go "YES, that's exactly what i went through!" but if wishes were horses, right?
Hope this helps some of you out there trying to live full, diverse lives with ASD, and the few, the valuable, cool people who support someone who is affected for the right reasons, because they love them, and want to see a more tolerate, intelligent world.
No comments:
Post a Comment