I was reading yesterday, and found an artical on Asphergers syndrome, they did a study, and only 22% of males with asphergers are rated as 'good' or above, good being getting independant, and above being successfully getting married and having a family.

I've been working my tale off trying to make things work, and after two years and ending up no better off than before, i'm being told that i'm statistically expected to fail?! i wish they'd study what makes people succeed rather than studying how many people dont succeed..

is there a psychologist in the house who might be able to give me some tips?

• Statistics do not determine your future. Researchers scramble to gather data and statistics to classify things, to make sense of things, to look for patterns. They're not looking at improvements - that's for researchers who design experiments to study methods to enhance the quality of life.
  
  You are not a statistic. You don't have to fall for anyone else's expectations except your own. If you work hard at improving yourself - like anyone can, you can succeed. You have to believe in yourself. You have to have the determination. You can do it!! :D

Just work at it to be in that 22%. The statistic doesn't determine your future. Who cares what you're expected to do? I'm expected to be like my dad, super-athlete but no brain whatsoever, but I don't want to be that, so I'm not.

Life is about being who you want to be, not what statistics tell you to be.

The 78% that didn't do so great-did you stop to think that the reason they failed was because they let their AS beat them? Because they thought they were going to fail-so they did.

Work hard. Never give up. You'll reach your goal.

I'm not a shrink, I'm a 13 year old

Hey, you might be in that 22%. :]

That article only tells you statistically how many will succeed, it doesn't tell you WHO will succeed.

Keep working hard, I'm sure it'll work out in the end!

Best of luck!

well, i was actually hoping on getting a plausible answer as to, what i can do to increase my odds, as i have absolutely no idea what leads an asphergian to the apparently very difficult to achieve success.

If you live your life according to what people thingk you can do, youl'll never be truly happy. Prove them wrong, and then laugh at them.

I know someone with Asphergers. They are within that 22% I'd say. life may not be easy but they work hard, they grind through the tough times and they know when to rely on others. ( never try to fight through things alone, it only wears you out) They are a successful artist on top of everything else and generally an enjoyable person to be around.

Not sure that helped any but that's what I can contribute. Don't give up, don't try to go it alone. study perhaps other who have succeeded before you and see what they have done that you may not be doing.

What is Asphergers? I've never heard of it. And how does it keep people (men apparently?) from succeeding in life?

Originally Posted by Yeah

What is Asphergers? I've never heard of it. And how does it keep people (men apparently?) from succeeding in life?

the statistics are different for males and females, the female statistic doesnt apply to me.

asphergers is a form of autism, it includes easy habit forming, a strong dislike of any sort of change, social interaction problems, obsessions, and tend to be clumbsy, basically makes areas of uncertianty and social interaction uncomfortable.

@Yumbra: wow, that person sounds like the exact opposite of me ^_^; my art skills have been so heavily handicapped by school not letting me take art classes, and my friends seem more like the joke all the time ones, not really good at helping with any situation.

• According to one of my psychologist friends (it's nice having his phone number), there isn't much that you can do about that at this point due to the lack of data there is about Asphergers. But he also said that just don't give up hope because of a stastic. Yes, currently the odds may be rigged against you, but there's a much greater chance of you being able to live a relatively normal life if you attempt to keep your spirits up.
  
  As it is, it's a very tricky syndrome. But if you can conciously get over the fact that it's hard or uncomfortable to communicate with others sometimes, there's a much higher chance of reaching that "good" category. Once you can conciously get over it, then the other parts of the brain likely will make some new connections. :3

Don't believe the statistics. Most of them are bullshit.
Besides... it's only a disease; don't let it control you. Even if you're at a disadvantage you can still take the wheel of your life and succeed! I sound like some sort of crazy yuppie. XD

An old friend of my had autism.

He's brilliant, but he's emotionally screwed up and has hurt himself on several occasions.

He's a genius and he's deeply insightful, but also cynical.

He can't function in social situations and he's picked on for his looks.
But, he had complete understanding of physics by second grade.

His IQ is about ten over mine, but according to IQ, both of us could be geniuses.
We are intelligent in different ways.
It's always gratifying to hear someone like that say "we" when he's talking about the intelligent.
He's biggest problem is he can't stand highschoolers and finds them stupid and he won't leave his house except to go to school.
Poor boy.
We don't go to the same school anymore, but he calls occasionally.

After seeing him, I know how difficult it must be for you.
I'm severly S.A.D. and bipolar.
I can't function socially.
It's impossible for me to understnad.

The best thing you can do is to keep working hard.
If you strive, you will increase your chances greatly.
There are people who will like you if you are friendly to them.
You seem very friendly to me.

If you ever need someone to talk to, feel free to message me.

Originally Posted by ToriKat

• Statistics do not determine your future. Researchers scramble to gather data and statistics to classify things, to make sense of things, to look for patterns. They're not looking at improvements - that's for researchers who design experiments to study methods to enhance the quality of life.
  
  You are not a statistic. You don't have to fall for anyone else's expectations except your own. If you work hard at improving yourself - like anyone can, you can succeed. You have to believe in yourself. You have to have the determination. You can do it!! :D

Here, here. :)

My best friend of primary school's older brother has Asbergers. Whenever she and I were playing round her house, we would try and get the computer or the playstation of of him (in those days it was still considered geeky to own one, so the three of us were something like pariahs)... My Dad always commented how polite, but shy, he was, but I didn't know what on earth he was talking about either because I was too little or because, when the three of us talked computers, we were all on the same wavelength. Or his might only be a mild case. I don't know enough.

I'll say this though, he's very technologically-minded and I believe (I haven't seen them for a while; we go to different schools) he's working on something to do with IT at University. So seriously, don't lose heart. Statistics, schamistics. As people have said, you may well be in that 22%, or things may change (as in, better ways to cope will be discovered), or, in fact, those statistics might not be quite right in the first place. Confounding variables... they can't take everything into account.

Fight the Power, man! [/hippie mode]

I have a slight case of Aspbergers, along with Depression and ADD, so I know a little bit how you feel.

Also, don't let the statistics discourage you! If you use them as a reason to give up, you are only proving them to be true. There is no reason why you shouldn't be able to get married, have a good family life, and generally succeed in life. So keep trying, no matter what. Don't let a stupid statistic keep you from finding a special person to spend the rest of your life with.

I think just as long as you are happy within yourself thats all that really matters coz thats when you are happy with most other things. I know its alot easier said then done but if you have a positive outlook on life then it will certainly seem like things come more easier for you then when if you are having a negative outlook on life.

Its just numbers don't worry about it. PROVE THEM WRONG (holds up a fist) its your life live it like you want not by what number they give you.