Asperger's Syndrome Case Study

Introduction

[Slide 1] Life can be confusing. This is further complicated by the many illnesses one can acquire throughout their lives. If you were born with illness-say, mental illness- you can be assured to experience greater struggles than your healthier counterparts. Unfortunately, that is just the way it is. If you are determined to survive this life, you have to learn to live with it. How do I know this? My name is Bleauregard (Blu) von Kasadu, and I have Asperger’s Syndrome. Other notable figures include singer-songwriter Ladyhawke, singer-songwriter Courtney Love, actor Robin Williams, artist Michelangelo, Pokemon creator Satoshi Tajiri, theoretical physicist Albert Einstein, and former president Abraham Lincoln.

[Slide 2] According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Asperger’s Syndrome (ASD) is defined as “a developmental disability that can cause significant social, communication, and behavioral challenges.” Which, now it falls under a Autism Spectrum Disorder. Still, Asperger’s sounds like any troubled child, growing up in a broken home. Though, what sets us apart from the average person are “quirks” in the way we handle conflict and social interactions that are not witnessed in healthy people- or “neurotypicals”, as we refer to them. I chose this topic for my presentation, because it is familiar to me. It is unique to find a mental illness that can also benefit people. Asperger’s can be socially debilitating, but it lends plenty of opportunity for cognitive growth. This can lead to heightened abilities regarding attention to detail, creativity, input of sensory information, and the affinity to feel really deeply. We may not look any different, but there are unique ways in which we think, feel, behave, communicate, and learn. This can be largely misunderstood by the masses. Either they see a perfectly healthy human being, or they assume that we are severely mentally challenged. In this paper, I seek to enlighten people on this commonly misunderstood diagnosis. I will explain what sort of symptoms one can expect from a level-one Autism Spectrum Disorder diagnosis, as it is now referred. Then, I will summarize my background in this struggle, including what a bad day looks like for me. There are commonly available treatments out there that I will explain, but I have had little success with them. Instead, I have taken my own approach. These methods will be discussed, as well as the results of my journey thus far. I will conclude this presentation with information I feel is important for you to take home with you. I hope that by the end of this, you will have a new respect for the people struggling and blessed with level-one autism spectrum disorder.

DSM-V Criteria

[Slide 3] The fifth edition of the Diagnostic & Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5) characterizes autism by two different symptom criteria; persistent deficits in social interactions, and restricted or repetitive patterns of behavior. Persistent deficits in social interaction could be; an abnormal approach to interpersonal communication; one-sided conversations; reduced or overbearing introduction of interests, emotions, or affect; failure to initiate or respond to interactions; reduced ability to initiate and/or interpret nonverbal communication; and/or reduced ability to develop, maintain, and understand relationships. Restricted or repetitive patterns of behavior must be at least two of the following; repetitive motor movements, use of objects, or speech; insisting on sameness, rigid adherence to routines, rituals, or communication behavior; highly restricted, intense in focus, fixated interests; and/or hyper- or hypo-reactivity to sensory input or unusual interests in sensory aspects of the environment.

[Slide 4] These symptoms; must be present in early childhood, but may not fully manifest until social demands are able to test limited capabilities; cause significant impairment in social, occupational, or generally important areas of functioning; and are not better explained by another disorder or global developmental delay. As you can see, there are three levels of autism spectrum disorder. Asperger’s Syndrome falls under level-one, which means that deficits in communication skills are mild, but noticeable. Inflexibility of behavior is significant in one or more contexts, and switching between activities is difficult.

Background Information

[Slide 5] When I was a boy, I acted up quite a bit. Mostly, I failed to understand peoples’ boundaries. There were tutors and behavioral slips. I spent most of my time alone. In my early twenties, I could not respect peoples’ intellectual and spiritual boundaries. I generally always felt different or out of place. It was not until I was twenty-three that I took my mental health more seriously. I watched the film “Asperger’s Are Us”, and began an exploration into self-evaluation. The therapists I visited never took me seriously enough to assess me for autism, so I have been left without a formal diagnosis. Still, there is no doubt in my mind.

My Worst Days

[Slide 6] My worst days really prove my position. I often experience mental confusion. There are times I cannot understand how I am not able to effectively connect with people, and make long-lasting relationships. I suspect has something to do with my restricted interests. My focus is primarily on technologies and techniques that improve our environment, our society, and ourselves. It legitimately stresses me out when I am caught in a conversation about anything else. As a result, I am practically a walking encyclopedia. I have an answer for almost anything, except that I want to know what we can do to make the world a better place.[a] How can we clean up the plastic in the ocean? What connections can we make between religions? Where can we develop ecosystems from wasteland?

I need to be among people who are innovating their lives, and the lives of others, each and every day. Not everyone is into that, and I am almost never interested in small talk. The people I need in my life are so thoroughly rare. When I try to mingle my ideas with others, they are known to become offended. Somehow or another, I present myself in such a way that invalidates their lives. Whenever I enter a social situation, I become obsessed with trying to avoid saying the wrong thing. My presence and conversations offend people. Eventually, they find a way to push me out, or I leave for fear of being a bother. After so many times of this happening, I have developed a natural affinity for feeling isolated among people in general. I feel as though I simply do not fit in anywhere. It causes mental confusion, and then I am left alone to study deeper into the meaning of life; something I can understand. The cycle continues on and on.

Available Treatments

[Slide 7] There are treatments available for people with autism, but it has not worked well for me. Prescriptions are not an option for me, but I understand that it can be an option. There are antidepressants and anxiolytics, which help with the depression and anxiety associated with autism (respectively). Some supplements may even help, such as vitamin-D during colder seasons. This helps with depression associated with not having enough vitamin-D from sun exposure. Flax seed oil pills supply Omega-3’s and -6’s, which contributes to brain health. If one feels they are not obtaining enough vitamins and minerals in general, they can grind up a vitamin supplement tablet into some yogurt. However, it does not supply all the benefits of healthy meals eaten throughout the day. Not eating enough contributes heavily to stress, which can exacerbate symptoms of autism.

If one’s symptoms are especially debilitating, they may find cognitive behavioral therapy to be beneficial. It really helps to talk through what we are feeling, especially with an objective third-party. They can help to re-frame preconceptions of our thoughts and feelings.

Support groups are incredible sources of relief. Being around other people with autism may help us feel better about our own struggles. They may even have advice for us, based on what they have experienced.

One unique symptom that many of us have difficulty handling is our sensitivity to sensory input. For me personally, I am really sensitive to sounds, sensations, and colors. I employ my own version of sensory integration therapy, which introduces sensory information to help desensitize me. The way I do this is by listening to music I enjoy almost constantly. There is rarely a moment I am caught without a pair of headphones or a speaker. My favored sounds help me to tune out other sounds that cause emotional upset. These unpleasant sounds can be ordinary in nature, such as people talking, cars moving, or other every day sounds of human activity. By plugging in my music, I avoid them entirely. I also pick specific fabrics and colors that feel good to me, because I naturally pay close attention to different sensations and colors on and around my body. A coloring book and colored pencils are usually with me as well, because the colors help me to remain calm; especially in social situations like being in class, or mentally preparing for a lesson without my music. I become easily overwhelmed when I lack these coping methods.

Treatments I Have Tried

[Slide 8] There are four significant treatments I have found so far to have improved my autistic symptoms ten-fold. One of them is a fairly recent discovery, though I guess I have been learning this throughout my whole life; interpersonal communications. My biggest problem seems to be connecting with people, and understanding where they are coming from. Since I have taken Interpersonal Communications at Yavapai College, I have grown to understand so much more about the human condition. It is as though my Psychology class (PSY101) has taught me about people on an internal level, and my Interpersonal Communications class (COM134) has taught me about people on an external level. Both of them working hand-in-hand to show me how to treat social situations I find myself in. There are many aspects that I have learned throughout my life, but it has never been so conceptualized and simplified for me.

I have also benefited considerably from the emotional and psychological support from friends and family that I have been able to talk about my disorder to. Even before, they went out of their way to explain to me how to perform in social situations I find myself clumsy in. To know that there are people out there that care about me really helps to make me feel much less alone in the world. It is relieving.

Support has led me to pay more attention to my own self-care. I tend to eat well, think well, learn well, play well; these make me feel well. Lately, I have shed toxic relationships and habits from my life. I am reorganizing my priorities, and focusing more on what is important for my health. These decisions can only serve to propel me in the right direction regarding every aspect of my life, including my disorder.

There was a time my brother and I physically fought, and I was placed in jail for Domestic Violence (since we are family who lived together). It was a really low point in my life. I was ready to give up on everything. The court ordered me to take drug/alcohol classes, as well as a three-month long anger management class. It was significant and enriching to attend these lessons. I was not aware of how little I controlled my emotions, until I learned how to. That is what made it so important. It does not just teach people to handle their anger in constructive ways. Anger management teaches one how to handle their emotions as a whole. People with autism find it difficult to handle their emotions, and so it was a blessing in disguise to have to experience all that conflict with my brother.

How Am I Today?

[Slide 9] Today, I am a true warrior; a survivor of the obstacles that have been placed in front of me, and are now behind me. I play music and sing for crowds of people. I am working on my future with such passion and depth. I am climbing mountains taller than I am comfortable standing up to. I am fighting for causes greater than myself. I am loving my true family, and accepting life for what it is. With this in mind, I know for a fact that I can manage having level-one autism spectrum disorder, and anything else that stands in my way of succeeding in life.

Conclusion

[Slide 10] I leave you today with a handful of thoughts to keep in mind. People with Asperger’s Syndrome, or level-one autism spectrum disorder: struggle to understand social situations, especially how to initiate and maintain relationships; are usually much more advanced in their cognitive processes than they are given credit for; are not afraid to think and feel deeply; are sensitive to sensory information; and are queens and kings of our own destiny, but require more peer support than the average person. My name is Bleauregard (Blu) von Kasadu, and I have struggled with autism for as long as I can remember. Some days may be really unpleasant and confusing, but there varying forms of support out there available for people like me. These treatments and peers can be helpful, if we give them a chance. We might find that some methods fail to work for us, and that is okay. It just goes to show how unique people with autism truly are. A really important concept to keep in mind is that there are good days and good people out there. If we give up, we will never have those opportunities. When you see someone struggling out there in the world- for whatever reason- do not be afraid to ask them as I ask you now and forever moving forward: “how can I help you?”

Sources

[1] What is Autism Spectrum Disorder? | CDC. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/autism/facts.html

[2] Treatment for People With Asperger's Syndrome. (2018, March 29). Retrieved from https://www.everydayhealth.com/aspergers/treatment-aspergers-syndrome-many-therapies-can-help/

Notes

Article was posted 12-02-2019.

[a] Edit has been made by Blu Kasadu, 08-13-2023 @16:13.

Before: "I have an answer for almost anything. People, presidents, and celebrities are not in my line of sight. I am not really concerned with fast cars, women in bikinis, sports games, or who will win the next elections. To me, these are surface concepts. I want to know what we can come up with to clean up the plastic in the ocean, or what connections we can make between religions, or how we can create entire ecosystems from bare land."

After: "I have an answer for almost anything, except that I want to know what we can do to make the world a better place. How can we clean up the plastic in the ocean? What connections can we make between religions? Where can we develop ecosystems from wasteland?"