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If you are an adult and need an official diagnosis of Asperger's Syndrome, find a professional who has experience diagnosing Asperger's Syndrome in adults. Most professionals do not have experience with adults with Asperger's Syndrome.
If you do not need an official diagnosis, check the list of characteristics at an autism or Asperger's Syndrome website (or the related question "What are the signs of Asperger's Syndrome?" in the section below), discuss it with family for their feedback, and decide for yourself. There are many people who are self-diagnosed as having Asperger's Syndrome. It would not be official or conclusive, but it could help you and your family better understand the situation. Two books I would recommend for general information about Asperger's Syndrome, which might be available at your local library, are:
* The Complete Guide to Asperger's Syndrome (2007) by Tony Attwood * The Oasis Guide to Asperger Syndrome: Advice, Support, Insights, and Inspiration (revised 2005) by Patricia Romanowski Bashe and Barbara L. Kirby Be aware that most books on Asperger's Syndrome are written for parents of children with the condition, so I recommend reading the descriptions and reviews before purchasing them or first perusing them at a bookstore or library. I recommend these two because of the wealth of information about characteristics of Asperger's Syndrome and for covering various other important aspects such as what is known about the cause and methods that have been tried as treatments.
I also recommend reading through the diagnostic criteria for Asperger's Syndrome, although some experts believe the official criteria need refinement. If you do not fit one aspect of the criteria, do not assume the diagnosis is ruled out, but do not neglect considering alternate diagnoses. Also, although you might feel that you do not meet one of the criteria, your family might think it describes you perfectly, so be sure to ask.
One activity that has caused some people to realize that they have Asperger's Syndrome is reading an autobiography of a person with Asperger's Syndrome, realizing that they relate to the experiences of that person and the way that person looks at the world. Here are a few of those - ones I have - but there are many others:
* Freaks, Geeks, and Asperger Syndrome: A User Guide to Adolescence (2002) by Luke Jackson * Congratulations! It's Asperger Syndrome (2003) by Jen Birch * Songs of the Gorilla Nation: My Journey Through Autism (2004) by Dawn Prince-Hughes * Thinking in Pictures, Expanded Edition: My Life with Autism (revised 2006) by Temple Grandin or other books she has written
Luke Jackson was thirteen when he wrote his book, but you might be able to relate to his issues with Asperger's Syndrome during adolescence. Temple Grandin was diagnosed with autism as a child, but now it is suspected that she has Asperger's Syndrome instead.
I know of two fiction books featuring protagonists with Asperger's Syndrome (or autism) with whom a person with Asperger's Syndrome might relate:
* The Speed of Dark (2004) by Elizabeth Moon
* The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-time(2004) by Mark Haddon I have included links to the home pages of a few organizations that provide information about Asperger's Syndrome. These sites provide information such as the characteristics of Asperger's Syndrome, obtaining diagnoses, current research, adult issues, recommended books, and related disorders. For links to more specific pages, check for related links under a more specific question, such as "What are the diagnostic criteria for Asperger's Syndrome?" For links to more home pages of organizations, refer to the question "Where can you find information on Asperger's Syndrome?"
What else can I help you with?
What is the history of Asperger's Syndrome?
Asperger's Syndrome was discovered by Hans Asperger in 1944.
Does Adam Sandler have autism or asperger's syndrome?
Asperger's syndrome
Is arnesberger a form of Schizophrenia?
I don't know what arnesberger is, but you may be talking about Asperger syndrome. Asperger syndrome is not a form of schizophrenia, but is a completely different thing.
What is an Aspergic?
An asperger is an informal term for a person who has Asperger's syndrome.
Do people with asperger's syndrome have the capability to love?
Of course they do, There are a lot of cases when they have, I know a lot of Asperger's people who have, I have Asperger's and I have fallen in love a few times.
Why do famous people have Asperger's Syndrome?
A small fraction of the population has Asperger's Syndrome. It is likely that some of these people would become famous. People with Asperger's Syndrome can excel in their special interest areas and thus can become famous in those areas. There are famous historical people who are speculated to have Asperger's Syndrome because of a few traits known about them. They did not necessarily have Asperger's Syndrome.
Who do you see for Asperger's Syndrome follow-up?
A psychiatrist or a psychologist who specializes in Asperger's Syndrome.
Does Tom Hanks have Asperger's Syndrome?
Definitely not. My understanding is that he has Dyslexia not Asperger's Syndrome.
Does people with Asperger's syndrome have a split personality?
No people with asperger's syndrome do not have split personalities
How many people have asperger's syndrome that is diagnosed by a doctor?
There are 100's and 100's of people who go through their everyday lives that probably don't even know that they have asperger's syndrome.
Does Asperger's Syndrome affect only whites?
No. Asperger's syndrome affects people of all races.
Do people with Asperger's syndrome laugh?
yes do beause a boy in my class has asperger's syndrome and he laugh's.
