Susan Boyle admits to having Asbergers syndrome...

[Archae]

It was just on ABC news.

[tammywammy]

1. Asperger's. n/t

[Archae]

2. Oops. Correction in progress. Thanks.

[djean111]

3. Sounds like she is not so much admitting she has Asperger's, but is quite relieved, as she

had always been told she had brain damage.
Asperger's explains a LOT.

"I was told I had brain damage. I always knew it was an unfair label," she said. "Now I have a clearer understanding of what's wrong and I feel relieved and a bit more relaxed about myself."

[Warpy]

4. Good for her.

A lot of Aspies turn out to be wildly talented in one area or another. If they're surrounded by people who manage to get it, they can have long, productive, and dare I say, normal lives.

I admit I wondered about this. She is talented and motivated to succeed but her social problems were threatening to derail her. It really does explain a lot about her.

I hope she gets support. She really does have remarkable singing talent.

[enough]

5. I don't think "admits" is quite the right word.

I read earlier today that she said she felt relief in getting the diagnosis.

[SheilaT]

6. That makes sense.

I know when I finally figured out that my oldest son has Asperger's, all of a sudden all sorts of things made sense. About him, anyway.

[hunter]

7. I've got that diagnosis, even though it's now "Autistic Spectrum" or some other such thing...

It seems to be genetics in my dad's family tree, ranging from single-minded rocket scientist genius to entirely dysfunctional hermit. I tend toward the dysfunctional side but modern meds are helpful.

My middle and high school experiences were hell. I was a skinny, squeaky kid with odd interests and weird mannerisms. The bullies called me "queerbait." I quit high school. Aside from getting married and having wonderful children, I think quitting high school for college was the best decision I've ever made in my life. It's possible I wouldn't have survived any more high school. College wasn't easy for a minor but the physical assaults ended. If an adult assaults a minor they go to jail.

One of my childhood friends killed himself. His situation was more difficult than my own. I was fortunate to grow up in a family of near infinite tolerance. First time I punched a hole in the wall my dad taught me how to repair it, indistinguishable from new. After that I was quietly but not oppressively expected to patch any holes I punched in the wall. Pretty soon punching holes in the wall got to be unsatisfying no matter how angry I was.

When I went away to college I got a job fixing up crappy student housing. My experience patching holes in the walls probably got me the job. Unlike my dad, my boss didn't give a crap about the quality of the work, only how quick and how cheap I could do it. He bought bulk paint to match the color of Kilz which will tell anyone who has done this kind of work all they need to know... Scrape off whatever mess is on the walls (blood, boogers, food, semen, dried vomit, whatever...) spray it over with Kilz, done in five minutes.

I think schools have improved, at least in my world. Teachers and other students are more likely to look out for and defend the "weird" kids. When I was in school I can't count the number of adults who told me to "man up" and other similar crap after I'd been bullied, bloodied and beaten.

I think girls often get worse. Bruises heal much quicker than psychological or sexual assaults.