Posted by caroline on December 27, 2001, at 14:54:00
In reply to Re: Asperger's disorder, posted by caroline on December 27, 2001, at 14:51:23
> Sarah, Hi,
>
> I've probably read your posts often on OASIS. I just wanted to offer something by way of reassurance about your sons future. I am 30 and I work as a High School Counselor. I too always loved science and did my undergraduate and masters degrees in psychology and neuroscience.
>
> Ten years ago, if someone had told me I would ever have a job, let alone a very well paid professional one that involved masses of contact with people, I would have thought they were mad. When I was twenty and at uni I was still so young in myself that I hadn't realised I would ever need to get a job! I never worked vacations or anything, just studied extra. The thing is, as I've gotten older, I have actually noticed huge changes occurring, like the fact that five years ago I got this job following a further masters in counselling, and am now considered extremely good at it. I've been headhunted for promotions even.
>
> I guess the thing about AS is that it is a developmental delay, and as such, you just never know when or which of your neural networks are going to start joining up, but that really does happen. I spent 13 years taking driving lessons to no avail for I simply couldn't get it, but then suddenly this year, I've started getting it. I couldn't believe it, still can't believe I can actually drive now. Through my Masters degree in counselling I found I learned a lot I hadn't realised others took for granted - like understanding and using body language - during this course I became really good at socialising with my peers - something I'd really sucked at previously.
>
> I don't currently have a partner, but I have had and I hope it will be possible to meet someone else understanding sometime soon.
>
> I did have a really bad time at high school when the girls were all maturing, getting interested in boys and alcohol and hanging out and stuff, and I was still into Barbie dolls, story writing and ballet, but I found I was able to make friends at uni. I went to an ivy league school and I think now, looking back, many of my friends perhaps had aspergers too!
>
> Sorry it's a long mail. Wishing you all the best!
>
> Caroline
poster:caroline
thread:87154
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20011222/msgs/87966.html