Autism Spectrum Disorder Strengths. Asperger’s Syndrome is a developmental disorder on the Autism spectrum. However, it is classified as a more low-support form of autism and considered high functioning autism.
Autism Spectrum Disorder Strengths
My husband has many of the positive strengths I indicate below:
- He can fix anything that breaks down on computers
- He’s an excellent problem solver because he has patience
- He is the most honest person I know
- He will do anything I ask; it helps to give him a timeline
- He never gives me any “lip” even when I act out on him when I am frustrated and angry
- Because we embrace his ASD when he is quirky and funny I totally appreciate and love it; in the past it would annoy me
- He is willing to try new experiences; food, travel,
- He wants and appreciates the relational tools to manage the ASD challenges
Now for the challenges that frustrate me:
- He tends to have tunnel vision and can’t do more than one thing at a time (lack of executive functioning); I’m a multi-tasker
- He forgets where he puts things; when I tell him where to look he still can’t locate it; takes him a loooong time to find things
- He doesn’t apologize unless I tell him I need it; apologizing triggers judgement and criticism and low self-worth
- He forgets to utilize the tools he has acquired.
You might be surprised to learn that many famous people have an Asperger diagnosis. Here are a few names that you’ll recognize:
- Dan Akroyd, actor and musician
- Andy Warhol, artist
- Andy Kaufman, comedian
- Daryl Hannah, actor
- Susan Boyle, singer
- Courtney Love, musician
- Sir Anthony Hopkins, actor
Common Challenges include:
- Difficulty with social interactions
- Restricted interests
- Desire for sameness
- Distinctive strengths
- Hypersensitivities (to lights, sounds, tastes, etc.)
- Difficulty with the give and take of conversation
- Difficulty with nonverbal conversation skills (distance, loudness, tone, etc.)
- Uncoordinated movements, or clumsiness
- Anxiety and depression
- Quirky
Strengths can include:
- Remarkable focus and persistence
- Aptitude for recognizing patterns
- Attention to detail
- Honest
- Loyal
- Kind
- Quirky
Autism Spectrum Disorder Strengths
As I am married to a man on the Autism Spectrum I know what the challenges look like. I sympathize with my husband because those challenges are not only frustrating to our relationship, it is frustrating to him on a personal level. His strengths, however, do outweigh the challenges. When my husband realized he had Asperger’s, it all made sense. We speculate his father and brother were on the Spectrum and had limited resources to improve any of their challenges which affected their family dynamics. My husband felt lonely in the family that he grew up in and had very few friends. He said he always felt something was “off” when interacting in social settings and in past romantic relationships as his anxiety and nonverbal conversation skills were part the problem.
With acquiring relational tools, putting a system in place, and implementing the process for moving forward his life is more meaningful, happy and functional. He is even more animated with his expressions and can make jokes that can really make all of us laugh…in a good way.
The world needs to recognize despite their inappropriate behavior and saying or doing things that others may find objectionable, they often do not appreciate the full implications of their words and actions, and very rarely do so with any ill intent. They were never taught that this was unacceptable. With Autism awareness comes more understanding and sympathy toward the challenges and greater appreciation of the strengths.
For more information on Autism Spectrum strengths give me a call at (858) 735-1139 or visit my website at CouplesCounselorSanDiego.com
