Asperger Symptoms in Adults

Classified as one of the pervasive development disorders Asperger Syndrome is also seen in many adults. The brain of individuals with Adult Asperger Syndrome works in a different way, especially when it comes down to processing information. Their focus is on details and mostly these adults have specialized in one field of interest. Asperger symptoms in adults can stabalize over time and this provides them with opertunities to improve their social skills and behavior.

Asperger symptoms in adults are impairments in social interaction like maintaining friendships or feeling the need to engage in activities with others. There is also impairments in communication such as taken whatever is said litterally and being unable to read between the lines. A good way to communicate with Asperger Adults is to use Socratic Communication

There could be an inability to listen to others and pick up on non verbal signs such as body language or facial expressions.

Lifelong Condition

It’s a lifelong condition without cure or treatment but because adults have a good understanding of their strenghts and weaknesses they can develop coping skills. There are programs which offer social trainings to improve social skills and learn how to read social cues. Many adults lead a fulfilling life professionally aswell as personally. Most adults with adult Asperger Syndrome marry and have children. Read more on what it means to have Aspergers yourself: got to the site of Kate Goldfield for a crash course on how to accept your Aspergers!

Asperger syndrome in adults has some common characteristics such as:

• Lack of managing appropriate social conduct

• High intelligence

• Anger management problems

• Controlling feelings such as depression, fear or anxiety

• Lack of empathy

• Inability to listen to others

• Inflexible thinking

• Repetitive routines provides feelings of security

• Stress when their routine suddenly changes

• Inability to think in abstract ways

• Specialised fields of interest

• Visual thinking

Unfair labelling

Due to misunderstanding their behavior, adults with Aspergers can be seen as selfish by their peer group members. Other unfair labels can be: egoistic, cold, ridged or uncaring. Their behavior might appear to be unkind or callous. This kind of labelling is unfair and has nothing to do with behaving inappropriately on purpose. Adults with Asperger syndrome are neurologically unable to see things from the other persons point of view. They are frequently told by their peers or partners that their actions or remarks are considered painful or rude which comes as a shock to them since they were never aware of this in the first place. It’s therefor important to get a diagnosis so people arround them understand their behavior better.

Careers

Many adults with Asperger Syndrome are able to work in mainstream jobs successfully. Their focus and knowledge on specific topics as well as their good eye for detail can help them succeed in their field of science. In pursuit of their preoccupations adults with Asperger can develop sophisticated reasoning and an almost obsessive focus on their subject of interest, turning them into specialists in their line of work.

However there are some work related issues that will not benefit the Asperger employee.

A common career option in adults with Asperger is engineering since they can be fascinated with technology. Adult Asperger Syndrome is more common in males than females which could be another explanation for the relatively high percentage of Adult Asperger Syndrome within the engineering profession.
Personally I would recommend all adults with Asperger Syndrome to focus their energy on their strengths rather then on their weaknesses. Do what you are good at and organize the rest!

Back to Asperger-Advice.com Homepage

footer for asperger symptoms in adults page