What can you tell me about Aspies who have failed in life?
There have been numerous successful people with Asperger’s: http://www.disabled-world.com/artman/publish/article_2086.shtml
Now, what people do you know in your life who have Asperger’s but whom you’d agree are “life’s failures?”
They had a lot of potential, but why did they fail to reach it?
I ask this question because I know there are many bright people who fail to do well in life because a set of wrong circumstances come together or they otherwise aren’t dealt the best cards.
(Even though Michael Oher wasn’t an Aspie, he lived a lowlife’s life during much of his childhood and half his adolescence, and would’ve failed if he hadn’t have been picked up by a wealthy family. Have you ever watched “The Blind Side?” He moved on to become an honors student in college and a star for the NFL.)
So what Aspie do you know who could have done well in life, but didn’t do well in the end? What caused them not to do well, and what do they do now?
Learning these cautionary tales could help a few of us learn how not to screw up.
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I don’t know of any person who has Asperger’s who failed. My cousin has Asperger’s and even though it is difficult for him at times, especially in social functions, he is doing quiet well. He did go to a community help group every week, and that seemed to help him alot. People think he is odd sometimes, and I see them whispering about him, but he doesn’t notice their rudeness. He his happy, has a job in drafting, and now has a family of his own.
I find this question perplexing.
One thing to bear in mind is that there are some ways that we are no different from NT people. I know some that are not particularly gifted (high IQ is common among Aspies, but not universal), some that collect full disability because their AS is sever enough that they cannot work, quite a few that are directionless, and so on.
AS is neither a benefit nor a curse though; it is merely a difference. It’s what else makes up the person that determines success or failure. Personally,I am not doing great (not bad either though) and a part of that has to do with pushing myself too hard when I was younger and thereby burning out.
I am a bit more relaxed now that I have a different measure of success though; I’ve been with my wife well over a decade and we still love each other. Sure, I (like many other Americans) fell prey to our weak economy but I consider my happy marriage more of a win than a fat bank balance or a stack of college degrees :)
I have a friend who was diagnosed with Asperger’s when she was an adult. While she might not be as successful in terms of material goods as she might have been if she weren’t the way that she is, she is quite happy, having crafted a career and lifestyle out of what she likes to do and what she does well. Part of that ability was thanks to her parents who were astute judges of character, and who guided each of their children into careers that have made them happy.
I know other folks with Aspberger’s Syndrome who have done well also simply because they have gone into careers where their shortcomings don’t matter.
I know a lot of people who might have done well in life but didn’t. No doubt some of them have Asperger’s.
There are nursing homes for people who cannot fend for themselves for various reasons, including Asperger’s. I have done volunteer work in several such homes, and have seen people needing various levels of assistance.
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