Asperger Syndrome

All discussion relevant to Countdown that is not too spoilerific. New members: come here first to introduce yourself. We don't bite, or at least rarely.
User avatar
Mikey Lear
Rookie
Posts: 42
Joined: Thu Jan 24, 2008 11:48 pm
Contact:

Asperger Syndrome

Post by Mikey Lear »

I know loads of people who have been on Countdown or enjoy Countdown have Asperger Syndrome, and I'd guess probably a bunch of people who use this forum. So... who does and who doesn't? To start this discussion off, I personally think I don't.
User avatar
Charlie Reams
Site Admin
Posts: 9494
Joined: Fri Jan 11, 2008 2:33 pm
Location: Cambridge
Contact:

Re: Asperger Syndrome

Post by Charlie Reams »

I have no medical reason for my social ineptitude.
User avatar
Jon Corby
Moral Hero
Posts: 8018
Joined: Mon Jan 21, 2008 8:36 am

Re: Asperger Syndrome

Post by Jon Corby »

I'm normal.
User avatar
Jon O'Neill
Ginger Ninja
Posts: 4545
Joined: Tue Jan 22, 2008 12:45 am
Location: London, UK

Re: Asperger Syndrome

Post by Jon O'Neill »

I think the only two c4cers are Jason Larsen and Stewart Gordon - am I right, guys?

If we extend it to the Countdown family then you could add in Jeffrey Hansford and John Davies.
Gavin Chipper
Post-apocalypse
Posts: 13213
Joined: Mon Jan 21, 2008 10:37 pm

Re: Asperger Syndrome

Post by Gavin Chipper »

Jon Corby wrote:I'm normal.
I doubt it.
Gavin Chipper
Post-apocalypse
Posts: 13213
Joined: Mon Jan 21, 2008 10:37 pm

Re: Asperger Syndrome

Post by Gavin Chipper »

Zef maybe or would he hate me for suggesting it?
User avatar
Jon O'Neill
Ginger Ninja
Posts: 4545
Joined: Tue Jan 22, 2008 12:45 am
Location: London, UK

Re: Asperger Syndrome

Post by Jon O'Neill »

100% no.
Tom
Acolyte
Posts: 143
Joined: Fri Feb 01, 2008 3:59 pm

Re: Asperger Syndrome

Post by Tom »

Interesting topic you've started here Mikey. In the 6 or so years I watched the show yes there have been a fair few people with Aspergers on the show, all the way from finalists to losing their first show. I'm openly admittant to having it. Personally speaking Mikey, I did see you play once or twice and I would be very surprised if you suffered from it.
Probably the second tallest ever series finalist.
User avatar
Charlie Reams
Site Admin
Posts: 9494
Joined: Fri Jan 11, 2008 2:33 pm
Location: Cambridge
Contact:

Re: Asperger Syndrome

Post by Charlie Reams »

Tom wrote:I would be very surprised if you suffered from it.
I don't think anyone suffers from it.
User avatar
M. George Quinn
Acolyte
Posts: 190
Joined: Wed Feb 06, 2008 11:43 pm
Location: Belfast
Contact:

Re: Asperger Syndrome

Post by M. George Quinn »

In some threads everyone suffers from it.
Gavin Chipper
Post-apocalypse
Posts: 13213
Joined: Mon Jan 21, 2008 10:37 pm

Re: Asperger Syndrome

Post by Gavin Chipper »

Jon O'Neill wrote:100% no.
He's got something.
User avatar
Mikey Lear
Rookie
Posts: 42
Joined: Thu Jan 24, 2008 11:48 pm
Contact:

Re: Asperger Syndrome

Post by Mikey Lear »

I think it's interesting too. Partly because people with Aspergers are so fun (my experience of meeting Jeffrey Hansford was particularly awesome and one of the best bits about being in the finals in 2007) and partly because of everyone's odd attitude to it. I've noticed it on this forum - obviously the main purpose of internet forums is to have blazing and offensive rows with people you haven't met, so naturally Countdowners aren't going to back down from that. But there are some people who I reckon have Aspergers and who are continually heckled for their awkward comments. Most obviously when they haven't understood, for example, the irony of someone else's comment.
What I wanted to find out was 1) Whether the people I suspect of having Aspergers do in fact have it (or if they think they do) and 2) Whether that's a surprise or not to the people who so nonchalently flame them. Is flame the right word there? I was firmly on the side of people who really enjoyed watching Jeffrey in his octochamp round and I was kind of surprised to see that the discussion of his behaviour (which was fully aware of his Aspergers) ranged from delight (me) well past frustrated irritation (I can definitely sympathise) to aggressive dislike.
Also, Charlie, I wrote you a message but I don't think you got it, or if you did you didn't reply. Do you want my dictionary? Everyone else -ignore that bit.
User avatar
Jon Corby
Moral Hero
Posts: 8018
Joined: Mon Jan 21, 2008 8:36 am

Re: Asperger Syndrome

Post by Jon Corby »

Hi Mikey.

In answer to your first part: I found Jeffrey unpleasant. I have seen several Aspergers contestants who have been as charming, modest and affable as anyone, so I can't therefore conclude that his nature is entirely due to his condition. It probably plays a part, but then even the ASBO kid scratching my car's paintwork (wanker) could probably also have the cause of his behaviour explained by some shrink. Some people are just unpleasant, Aspergers or otherwise. I realise that's probably not very politically correct, but then again I'm not sure that being so entertained ("Partly because people with Aspergers are so fun") by somebody's mental condition is either.

In answer to your second part, I treat everyone's posts in the same way, regardless of who made them. If someone says something funny I'll laugh, if they say something stupid, I'll rip on them, be they reverend, drunken Irish man or sexy Countdown production staff member. As far as I'm aware, nobody has given us any reason to think anyone here requires handling with kid gloves.
David O'Donnell
Series 58 Champion
Posts: 2010
Joined: Mon Jan 21, 2008 2:27 pm
Location: Cardiff

Re: Asperger Syndrome

Post by David O'Donnell »

Jon Corby wrote:Hi Mikey.

drunken Irish man
... why does this sound vaguely familiar?? Actually I have been sober for two days - I'd kill everyone in this library for a beer right now.

As for Jeffrey I have to type that I really enjoyed watching him on Countdown and it was an equal mixture of laughing at him and laughing with him. I only went off him somewhat when I heard about all the background shenanigans that never made it on to the TV. It really wasn't fair for some of the players to have to play in that environment and I am fairly sure that we won't have a repeat appearance from Jeffrey. There are quite a few people with Asperger's on this site - rather more than you'd think! I don't have Asperger's though, I am one of those natural jerks that no shrink can explain away.
User avatar
Kirk Bevins
God
Posts: 4923
Joined: Mon Jan 21, 2008 5:18 pm
Location: York, UK

Re: Asperger Syndrome

Post by Kirk Bevins »

Jon Corby wrote:
if they say something stupid, I'll rip on them, be they reverend, drunken Irish man or sexy Countdown production staff member.
Awww, I didn't think you felt that way about Damian.
Martin Smith
Acolyte
Posts: 203
Joined: Wed Jan 30, 2008 9:12 pm
Location: Eastbourne

Re: Asperger Syndrome

Post by Martin Smith »

I don't think I have it, although I fit some of the stereotypes. I can imagine that it might be an advantage for Countdown and Scrabble and similar - ability to memorise patterns and facts more easily than most people, and less likely to be distracted by social situations.
Gavin Chipper
Post-apocalypse
Posts: 13213
Joined: Mon Jan 21, 2008 10:37 pm

Re: Asperger Syndrome

Post by Gavin Chipper »

David O'Donnell wrote:There are quite a few people with Asperger's on this site - rather more than you'd think!
Is this based on your own diagnoses or other from the horses' mouths?
Gary Male
Enthusiast
Posts: 283
Joined: Sat Jul 26, 2008 4:25 am
Location: Lincolnshire
Contact:

Re: Asperger Syndrome

Post by Gary Male »

Kirk Bevins wrote:
Jon Corby wrote:
if they say something stupid, I'll rip on them, be they reverend, drunken Irish man or sexy Countdown production staff member.
Awww, I didn't think you felt that way about Damian.
I didn't think Damian was a drunken Irishman either.
User avatar
Jon Corby
Moral Hero
Posts: 8018
Joined: Mon Jan 21, 2008 8:36 am

Re: Asperger Syndrome

Post by Jon Corby »

Kirk Bevins wrote:Awww, I didn't think you felt that way about Damian.
You need to pay more attention then! :)
David O'Donnell
Series 58 Champion
Posts: 2010
Joined: Mon Jan 21, 2008 2:27 pm
Location: Cardiff

Re: Asperger Syndrome

Post by David O'Donnell »

Martin Smith wrote:I don't think I have it, although I fit some of the stereotypes. I can imagine that it might be an advantage for Countdown and Scrabble and similar - ability to memorise patterns and facts more easily than most people, and less likely to be distracted by social situations.

Having met you, Martin, I'd have to type that it's highly unlikely that you have Asperger's. You can maintain eye-contact and have an understanding of idiomatic humour. Though, who knows (probably a doctor), the only people I have met, with Asperger's, have had a fairly serious version of the disorder - more like Jeffrey - and have needed round the clock care.
Gavin Chipper
Post-apocalypse
Posts: 13213
Joined: Mon Jan 21, 2008 10:37 pm

Re: Asperger Syndrome

Post by Gavin Chipper »

David O'Donnell wrote:Though, who knows (probably a doctor), the only people I have met, with Asperger's, have had a fairly serious version of the disorder - more like Jeffrey - and have needed round the clock care.
I would have thought those with autism may need round the clock care, but Asperger's is a milder form where people can generally get on with life but are poor at social interactions.
User avatar
Julie T
Kiloposter
Posts: 1130
Joined: Tue Aug 05, 2008 3:12 pm
Location: Hertfordshire, England

Re: Asperger Syndrome

Post by Julie T »

There are some who say that everybody's on the autistic spectrum somewhere, even if it's nothing apparent.
My 13 YO son is autistic, but also has severe learning difficulties, which is a whole different kettle of fish.
I'm just mildy unsociable, and also find it difficult when people say things different from what they mean and expect you to decode it. :?
"My idea of an agreeable person is a person who agrees with me." Benjamin Disraeli
Gavin Chipper
Post-apocalypse
Posts: 13213
Joined: Mon Jan 21, 2008 10:37 pm

Re: Asperger Syndrome

Post by Gavin Chipper »

Julie T wrote:which is a whole different kettle of fish.
You've lost me there. Care to decode? :mrgreen:
User avatar
Julie T
Kiloposter
Posts: 1130
Joined: Tue Aug 05, 2008 3:12 pm
Location: Hertfordshire, England

Re: Asperger Syndrome

Post by Julie T »

Hee, hee! The irony wasn't intentional, honest! :lol:
I meant sarcasm and downright lying really, that makes me feel unconfortable, even if I have managed to understand the real meaning.
"My idea of an agreeable person is a person who agrees with me." Benjamin Disraeli
Oliver Garner
Series 62 Champion
Posts: 775
Joined: Fri Oct 31, 2008 2:13 pm

Re: Asperger Syndrome

Post by Oliver Garner »

I also have Asperger's (according to the psychologist). I am not going to elaborate on that.
Jimmy Gough
Devotee
Posts: 876
Joined: Thu May 22, 2008 4:08 pm
Location: Eastbourne

Re: Asperger Syndrome

Post by Jimmy Gough »

I'd just call myself kinda socially retarded and quite unsociable. I dunno I'd probably be in that place between autistic and "normal". But I agree with what Jon Corby said, you shouldn't like somebody just because they've got aspergers - Jeffery Hansford was a dickface. I don't see how you can deny that.
Jimmy Gough
Devotee
Posts: 876
Joined: Thu May 22, 2008 4:08 pm
Location: Eastbourne

Re: Asperger Syndrome

Post by Jimmy Gough »

Charlie Reams wrote:I have no medical reason for my social ineptitude.
I dunno if this was a joke but I think everyone would agree you were one of the most likeable contestants in last series and the funniest as well.
David Roe
Enthusiast
Posts: 390
Joined: Mon Jan 21, 2008 12:58 pm

Re: Asperger Syndrome

Post by David Roe »

I'm fairly certain I would have been diagnosed with Asperger's syndrome if it had been fashionable when I was a child. But it wasn't, so I escaped the attentions of the educational psychologists. Someone at work had a son who was diagnosed with Asperger's who had a lot of the same eccentricities as me.

The main thing about a child with Asperger's (and I'm not talking about serious learning difficulties here, just mild conditions such as may have been seen in certain Countdown contestants!) is that it should make as little difference as possible. If the child has Asperger's, then he's going to have to live in the normal world with other people, so he's got to be taught how to do it. Specifically, if he can't empathise with other people's emotions and has no tact whatsoever, that's fine; but he needs to be taught that other people have feelings and that he should respect them, even if he can't understand them. Any suggestion of "he's got Asperger's, make allowances for him" just makes things worse.
Ralph Gillions
Devotee
Posts: 557
Joined: Wed Jan 30, 2008 3:53 pm
Location: South Yorkshire

Re: Asperger Syndrome

Post by Ralph Gillions »

David Roe wrote: ... but he needs to be taught that other people have feelings and that he should respect them, ...
Yes, David,
but that would be nice for every human to adopt.
David Roe
Enthusiast
Posts: 390
Joined: Mon Jan 21, 2008 12:58 pm

Re: Asperger Syndrome

Post by David Roe »

Very true. Everyone needs to learn that, it's just easier for some than for others.
Tom
Acolyte
Posts: 143
Joined: Fri Feb 01, 2008 3:59 pm

Re: Asperger Syndrome

Post by Tom »

"The main thing about a child with Asperger's (and I'm not talking about serious learning difficulties here, just mild conditions such as may have been seen in certain Countdown contestants!) is that it should make as little difference as possible. If the child has Asperger's, then he's going to have to live in the normal world with other people, so he's got to be taught how to do it".

That's easier said than done though. I had the right support as a child and now I'm just like anyone else and have gainful employment and a fairly decent life. I totally agree with having to learn to live in the real world with other people. Not as many people were as fortunate as I was and some people I've known with AS get admitted to their local autism trusts or similar and get the chance to exercise the traits/behaviours that are deemed as odd or deemed as socially unacceptable which in my view, these people should not condone as the rules of the normal world are unwritten and should they continue to use these traits i.e pedantry and narrow interests then they usually will only last 5 minutes.

Straight out having Aspergers gifted me to become a series runner up at a young age, though I was naturally gifted and if I didn't have AS would have probably become a series finalist at around 21/22, AS gifted me to do it 5 or so years earlier and the reason for that is my memory, I could remember most things DC and contestants came up with that I didn't, added it to what I already knew and I never studied a word list or picked up the dictionary.

I have been asked countless times, would all people with AS be good at Countdown because of memory? some would not do so bad, others wouldn't be able to do it at all. I've seen several people on the show with AS when I watched the regularly back in the days, some did very well, others lost their first game or maybe won one or two.
Probably the second tallest ever series finalist.
User avatar
Ian Volante
Postmaster General
Posts: 3956
Joined: Wed Sep 03, 2008 8:15 pm
Location: Edinburgh
Contact:

Re: Asperger Syndrome

Post by Ian Volante »

Julie T wrote: I'm just mildy unsociable, and also find it difficult when people say things different from what they mean and expect you to decode it. :?
Just be glad you don't have to live with my girlfriend then. :twisted:
meles meles meles meles meles meles meles meles meles meles meles meles meles meles meles meles
User avatar
Martin Gardner
Kiloposter
Posts: 1492
Joined: Sat Jan 26, 2008 8:57 pm
Location: Leeds, UK
Contact:

Re: Asperger Syndrome

Post by Martin Gardner »

Gavin Chipper wrote:Zef maybe or would he hate me for suggesting it?
I've always thought he has some sort of paranoia disorder (yes, seriously).
If you cut a gandiseeg in half, do you get two gandiseegs or two halves of a gandiseeg?
User avatar
Martin Gardner
Kiloposter
Posts: 1492
Joined: Sat Jan 26, 2008 8:57 pm
Location: Leeds, UK
Contact:

Re: Asperger Syndrome

Post by Martin Gardner »

Oh, I'm pretty obsessive, I generally obsess over something for a period of time then move onto something else, the reason for which I'm surprised that I still watch Countdown and play Scrabble even though I started when I was 17 and I'm now 25, so that's the longest "obsession" I've ever had. Still I wouldn't say I'm autistic, I'd like to think I pick up on social things quicker than most people, if you ever read Ronnie O'Sullivan's autobiography*, his description of his "additive personality" is not too far away from my personality.

*It's very good and it's not all about snooker.
If you cut a gandiseeg in half, do you get two gandiseegs or two halves of a gandiseeg?
Katherine Birkett
Rookie
Posts: 80
Joined: Tue Jan 13, 2009 1:06 am
Location: Lincolnshire

Re: Asperger Syndrome

Post by Katherine Birkett »

I was diagnosed in October 2001.
User avatar
rubsley
Newbie
Posts: 10
Joined: Fri Jan 16, 2009 11:07 am

Re: Asperger Syndrome

Post by rubsley »

Having spent a little time with Mikey I'd say he was about 15% Aspergers, depending on the day.

I reckon I'm about 7. But I might be wrong. About everything.

Actually, thinking about it, Mikey does have extreme social skills - to the extent that they are almost a super-power - so would that make him ineligible for Aspergers?

Cheers!
Rory
User avatar
Ben Hunter
Kiloposter
Posts: 1770
Joined: Wed Oct 15, 2008 2:54 pm
Location: S Yorks

Re: Asperger Syndrome

Post by Ben Hunter »

rubsley wrote:Having spent a little time with Mikey I'd say he was about 15% Aspergers, depending on the day.

I reckon I'm about 7. But I might be wrong. About everything.

Actually, thinking about it, Mikey does have extreme social skills - to the extent that they are almost a super-power - so would that make him ineligible for Aspergers?

Cheers!
Rory
Maybe he's completely asocial but his savant abilities have enabled him to pick up on the finest details of socialising and has since become a socialite of the highest order despite not even being able to recognise people's faces.
Katherine Birkett
Rookie
Posts: 80
Joined: Tue Jan 13, 2009 1:06 am
Location: Lincolnshire

Re: Asperger Syndrome

Post by Katherine Birkett »

rubsley wrote:Actually, thinking about it, Mikey does have extreme social skills - to the extent that they are almost a super-power - so would that make him ineligible for Aspergers?

Cheers!
Rory
It would depend if they were taught or acquired naturally. Females with Asperger's do tend to be more adept at 'masking' the condition than males and have a more even profile of abilities in this area. Girls with the condition seem to be more able in the realms of social play, too.

A useful PDF document can be found at http://www.aspergerfoundation.org.uk/in ... _girls.pdf
User avatar
Charlie Reams
Site Admin
Posts: 9494
Joined: Fri Jan 11, 2008 2:33 pm
Location: Cambridge
Contact:

Re: Asperger Syndrome

Post by Charlie Reams »

Katherine Birkett wrote:A useful PDF document can be found at http://www.aspergerfoundation.org.uk/in ... _girls.pdf
Interesting read, it certainly challenged my perception of Asperger's as a mostly male thing, although statistically that is true.
User avatar
Ross M
Newbie
Posts: 12
Joined: Sat Dec 13, 2008 7:12 pm

Re: Asperger Syndrome

Post by Ross M »

Charlie Reams wrote:
Katherine Birkett wrote:A useful PDF document can be found at http://www.aspergerfoundation.org.uk/in ... _girls.pdf
Interesting read, it certainly challenged my perception of Asperger's as a mostly male thing, although statistically that is true.
I've heard that females with Aspergers are more likely to go unnoticed than male cases, simply being regarded as quiet or shy.
Last edited by Ross M on Sun Jan 18, 2009 5:28 pm, edited 1 time in total.
Katherine Birkett
Rookie
Posts: 80
Joined: Tue Jan 13, 2009 1:06 am
Location: Lincolnshire

Re: Asperger Syndrome

Post by Katherine Birkett »

Ross M wrote: I've heard that females with Aspergers are mone likely to go unnoticed than male cases, simply being regarded as quiet or shy.
With me, it was always said that I was 'slightly autistic' or had 'autistic tendencies' (Educational Psychologist's report in 1984 when I was 7) and nothing more concrete was substantiated through my school years. I was FINALLY diagnosed aged 24 in 2001!

For me, life hasn't moved on since I left sixth form nearly 13 years ago. All of my schoolfriends back then have got rapidly maturing careers, many now have children and have gone on to travel the world. It's almost as if I've been kept in stasis since 1996. Asperger's gave me a fear of something that the operation I had in November removed from my life permanently. Hope this isn't too yucky, but it was my own menstruation. Employers wouldn't take me on as I'd need to shut myself down and go off sick for 5 days to 'cope and get through' what was for me a very frightening thing. I never have had a regular cycle so never knew when these five days would be. For all of my time since leaving sixth form, I've lived off Income Support, Disability Living Allowance and sporadic Jobseeker's Allowance. Basically, benefits. I had the hysterectomy to make my life functionally, socially and behaviourally easier.

With that off my back and consigned to the dustbin, I have only the Asperger's, Dyspraxia and my numerical dyslexia to make my jobhunting a bit more difficult. But there are strategies that I've built up over the years to cope with my many difficulties. Even now there isn't enough general public awareness of these disabilities. When I say I have Asperger's, Dyspraxia etc, many, many people's faces draw a blank. With the economic crisis being so bad, I cannot see myself getting a job even this year as there are far more experienced, sociable, more mature people than me. I don't stand a chance of getting in work. My benefits come under a review next month, and I am really getting worried over this.

Ideally, my job would be where I work alone so I don't have to participate in confusing cross-colleague banter and small talk. Alone without distractions as Dyspraxia and Asperger's can manifest itself in the form of difficulty concentrating. I would love to train to be a Disability Awareness Instructor and freelance columnist for magazines, Internet sites and newspapers.
User avatar
Phil Reynolds
Postmaster General
Posts: 3329
Joined: Fri Oct 31, 2008 3:43 pm
Location: Leamington Spa, UK

Re: Asperger Syndrome

Post by Phil Reynolds »

Katherine, I don't feel equipped at the moment to respond in detail to your extremely moving post, but all I would say at the moment is that, on the basis of this evidence, you could certainly write for a living with little or no training required. I wish you all the very best of luck.
Mattie Hall
Newbie
Posts: 5
Joined: Fri Jan 30, 2009 8:23 pm

Re: Asperger Syndrome

Post by Mattie Hall »

With that off my back and consigned to the dustbin, I have only the Asperger's, Dyspraxia and my numerical dyslexia to make my jobhunting a bit more difficult. But there are strategies that I've built up over the years to cope with my many difficulties.
I have also been officially diagnosed with dyspraxia. Although I haven't been diagnosed as having AS (and seriously doubt I have it), there is apparently an overlap between dyspraxia and AS.
Ideally, my job would be where I work alone so I don't have to participate in confusing cross-colleague banter and small talk.
I can definitely relate to that. ;)

Matt.
User avatar
Derek Hazell
Kiloposter
Posts: 1535
Joined: Thu Jan 24, 2008 10:52 am
Location: Swindon
Contact:

Re: Asperger Syndrome

Post by Derek Hazell »

Does Susan Boyle have Asperger's, and what would she be like at Countdown?
Living life in a gyratory circus kind of way.
User avatar
James Robinson
Post-apocalypse
Posts: 10573
Joined: Mon Mar 30, 2009 5:38 pm
Location: Mirfield, West Yorkshire

Re: Asperger Syndrome

Post by James Robinson »

I, as you might have guessed from my appearances on the show last month have Asperger syndrome, but I don't think it has been a hindrance to my life compared to other people who might have had it. Although, I do slightly blame my Asperger's for not letting me get through my accountancy course, since I couldn't take all the information in and with me being the only one with Asperger's I had to make do with a Level 2 AAT certificate. Not too much use!

Well, at least there's always Countdown on the telly! :D Good fun for the Asperger lot!

Just think what the world would be like if Countdown never existed :!: :?:

P.S. I know that last bit is slightly straying onto a different subject, but just think about that for a second or two!
Malcolm James
Acolyte
Posts: 146
Joined: Fri Feb 08, 2008 5:59 pm

Re: Asperger Syndrome

Post by Malcolm James »

Derek Hazell wrote:Does Susan Boyle have Asperger's, and what would she be like at Countdown?
She does have unspecified learning difficulties due to oxygen deprivation at birth.
JackHurst
Series 63 Champion
Posts: 1986
Joined: Tue Jan 20, 2009 8:40 pm

Re: Asperger Syndrome

Post by JackHurst »

Derek Hazell wrote:Does Susan Boyle have Asperger's, and what would she be like at Countdown?
I was thinking when she came second to the winning act

"This is Hansford Vs Beevers but in the form of Britains got talent!!"
User avatar
Derek Hazell
Kiloposter
Posts: 1535
Joined: Thu Jan 24, 2008 10:52 am
Location: Swindon
Contact:

Re: Asperger Syndrome

Post by Derek Hazell »

JackHurst wrote:
Derek Hazell wrote:Does Susan Boyle have Asperger's, and what would she be like at Countdown?
I was thinking when she came second to the winning act

"This is Hansford Vs Beevers but in the form of Britains got talent!!"
Lol. Can you explain how Craig is represented by a large troupe of black dancers? Or perhaps you'd better not . . .
Living life in a gyratory circus kind of way.
Dinos Sfyris
Series 80 Champion
Posts: 2707
Joined: Mon Jan 21, 2008 10:07 am
Location: Sheffield

Re: Asperger Syndrome

Post by Dinos Sfyris »

Derek Hazell wrote:Can you explain how Craig is represented by a large troupe of black dancers? Or perhaps you'd better not . . .
Posts like these are why we need a "like" button to express the lol factor :)
Lisa Hermann
Rookie
Posts: 34
Joined: Fri Feb 01, 2008 9:13 pm

Re: Asperger Syndrome

Post by Lisa Hermann »

There are some who say that everybody's on the autistic spectrum somewhere, even if it's nothing apparent.

I think this is very true, and also that as intelligence, and particularly logical/mathematical ability goes up, the trend is for people to be further onto the spectrum....... Personally I would say I am further across than most - I don't make friends easily (although that's partly probably because I'm a self-confessed geek and have no interest in popular culture) and am rubbish at reading people's emotions or understanding how they will react. I am quite grateful in some ways that I grew up before Aspergers, and dyspraxia which I am pretty sure I do have, became widely known and was labelled as anti-social and clumsy instead and left to grow out of these characteristics .... my experience at the time was that when I was about 15 my classmates seemed to grow up and finally started realising I was normal and OK after all and I made a few friends but maybe I don't see it quite like that looking back!

Just for interest have any other Countdowners had a similar experience to me.... of doing an 'are you dyslexic?' test and scoring 8/10, the only two I said no to being 'do you have trouble spelling' and 'were you late learning to read'?
User avatar
Derek Hazell
Kiloposter
Posts: 1535
Joined: Thu Jan 24, 2008 10:52 am
Location: Swindon
Contact:

Re: Asperger Syndrome

Post by Derek Hazell »

There is a programme on next Tuesday night which may be of interest to some of you. Called "The Autistic Me", it focuses on three young men with differing types of autism, and is described by the Radio Times as an "excellent documentary". 9pm BBC3.
Living life in a gyratory circus kind of way.
User avatar
Phil Makepeace
Acolyte
Posts: 157
Joined: Tue Jun 09, 2009 2:31 pm

Re: Asperger Syndrome

Post by Phil Makepeace »

...
Last edited by Phil Makepeace on Thu Jan 23, 2014 3:20 pm, edited 1 time in total.
Peter Mabey
Kiloposter
Posts: 1123
Joined: Sat Mar 01, 2008 3:15 pm
Location: Harlow

Re: Asperger Syndrome

Post by Peter Mabey »

Although I've never been diagnosed with it, I'm sure that it is the reason I have never found the secret of chatting up, so all the girls I've ever fancied have married someone else before I'd even begun to approach them. :cry:
It's likely that the problem was exacerbated by the circumstance that at the outbreak of war, I was taken from my boys' school, and sent to a mixed one, where a gang of girls ruled my year. Furthermore I was then living with my grandparents and maiden aunts, so had nobody I could speak to about the problems of puberty. :(
Gavin Chipper
Post-apocalypse
Posts: 13213
Joined: Mon Jan 21, 2008 10:37 pm

Re: Asperger Syndrome

Post by Gavin Chipper »

Speaking of Asperger's - I find it strange that this seems to have become the "main" reason for it not being a good idea to extradite Gary McKinnon (computer hacker guy). I suppose they saw it as something worth trying but much of the press seem to have swallowed it. Of all the reasons not to extradite him, this surely does not rank near the top.
Martin Smith
Acolyte
Posts: 203
Joined: Wed Jan 30, 2008 9:12 pm
Location: Eastbourne

Re: Asperger Syndrome

Post by Martin Smith »

Derek Hazell wrote:"excellent documentary". 9pm BBC3.
Something looks very wrong about having 'excellent documentary' and 'BBC3' in the same piece of text.

I have been diagnosed with dyspraxia, and that probably explains most of my problems. Actually, reading the Wikipedia article on it makes me more sure that it explains 90% of my problems. My co-ordination is especially poor (even my typing, and I'd dread to calculate how many hours I've spent typing) - "clumsy to the point of knocking things over and bumping into people accidentally" as the Wikipedia article puts it. I am also quite over-sensitive to a lot of sounds and feelings - I can't stand the feel of nylon, for example. Weak muscle tone (which causes physical tiredness quickly and emphasises the poor co-ordination) is another thing peculiar to dyspraxia rather than Asperger's which I definitely have.
User avatar
Derek Hazell
Kiloposter
Posts: 1535
Joined: Thu Jan 24, 2008 10:52 am
Location: Swindon
Contact:

Re: Asperger Syndrome

Post by Derek Hazell »

Peter Mabey wrote:Although I've never been diagnosed with it, I'm sure that it is the reason I have never found the secret of chatting up, so all the girls I've ever fancied have married someone else before I'd even begun to approach them. :cry:
It's likely that the problem was exacerbated by the circumstance that at the outbreak of war, I was taken from my boys' school, and sent to a mixed one, where a gang of girls ruled my year. Furthermore I was then living with my grandparents and maiden aunts, so had nobody I could speak to about the problems of puberty. :(
That's a sad story Peter, and just goes to show how so many of us can find various different supposedly easy or day-to-day activities and social occasions hard, even those of us who have no reason to believe they're on the autistic spectrum.

Maybe this little story from today's Metro will make you smile "Playboy boss Hugh Hefner and his three girlfirends will appears in an advert for Guitar Hero. The 83-year-old will star alongside his lovers Crystal Harris and indeitcal twins Karissa and Kristina Shannon."
Living life in a gyratory circus kind of way.
User avatar
Andy Wilson
Kiloposter
Posts: 1181
Joined: Mon Mar 09, 2009 3:09 pm

Re: Asperger Syndrome

Post by Andy Wilson »

There's James Robinson (spoilers thread, 22 April), apologies if he was mentioned earlier in thread but couldn't be arsed checking back right now.
Last edited by Andy Wilson on Fri Aug 07, 2009 3:39 pm, edited 1 time in total.
User avatar
Charlie Reams
Site Admin
Posts: 9494
Joined: Fri Jan 11, 2008 2:33 pm
Location: Cambridge
Contact:

Re: Asperger Syndrome

Post by Charlie Reams »

Gavin Chipper wrote:Speaking of Asperger's - I find it strange that this seems to have become the "main" reason for it not being a good idea to extradite Gary McKinnon (computer hacker guy). I suppose they saw it as something worth trying but much of the press seem to have swallowed it. Of all the reasons not to extradite him, this surely does not rank near the top.
It was part of the general angle that McKinnon is a "vulnerable" person, who might be unable to get a fair trial if, for example, US interrogators strongarmed him into a confession. That's not so unreasonable, in my view.
David O'Donnell
Series 58 Champion
Posts: 2010
Joined: Mon Jan 21, 2008 2:27 pm
Location: Cardiff

Re: Asperger Syndrome

Post by David O'Donnell »

Charlie Reams wrote:
Gavin Chipper wrote:Speaking of Asperger's - I find it strange that this seems to have become the "main" reason for it not being a good idea to extradite Gary McKinnon (computer hacker guy). I suppose they saw it as something worth trying but much of the press seem to have swallowed it. Of all the reasons not to extradite him, this surely does not rank near the top.
It was part of the general angle that McKinnon is a "vulnerable" person, who might be unable to get a fair trial if, for example, US interrogators strongarmed him into a confession. That's not so unreasonable, in my view.
He has already confessed so I am not sure why this would concern you. Also, although he would stand trial in the US it has been suggested that any sentence would be carried out in the UK.
User avatar
Charlie Reams
Site Admin
Posts: 9494
Joined: Fri Jan 11, 2008 2:33 pm
Location: Cambridge
Contact:

Re: Asperger Syndrome

Post by Charlie Reams »

David O'Donnell wrote: He has already confessed so I am not sure why this would concern you. Also, although he would stand trial in the US it has been suggested that any sentence would be carried out in the UK.
He hasn't confessed to what they want him to confess to. He still says he was just looking for aliens.
Post Reply