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[klaeber]

I've recently realized that I very likely have an odd trait known as hyperlexia (typically associated with autism spectrum disorders such as Asperger's, which I may or may not have). My parents took me to specialists more than once when I was a child because of my odd behavior (far less odd now than I am an adult), but AS disorders were less well known then, and many adults with Asperger's are undiagnosed for this reason. When I started to read more about Asperger's and particularly about hyperlexia, I got a cold-water-bath feeling of recognition: the signs are quite specific and quite odd, and they fit me very well.

I'm adult now (28) and I've learned to cope fine (moving from MA to competitive PhD at a different school next year). I'll likely pursue a formal diagnosis once I can afford it. In the meantime, the increased self-awareness I've gained has been very helpful. Specifically, I've learned that the short-circuits I often experience are likely due to a weakness in executive function. I have no intention of bringing any of this up with my new DGS (especially sans formal diagnosis!), but I am trying to learn more about executive function and how to compensate for my weaknesses in this area. Here are two major ways it interferes:

a) Bureaucratic procedures. Routine paperwork tends to defeat me. My advisors put up with my failures in this area because I was getting a lot done, research-wise, but my difficulties here cause other people trouble.

b) Organizing articles. For the last year in my MA, I heard again and again that my research and analysis was outstanding, my prose was excellent, but my work wasn't publishable because the argument didn't proceed in a sequential way. I had to work very, very hard to learn to set up a journal-quality paper, and even now, I'm committed to a  specific, rigid style of argumentation because it's the only one I can make work. A new advisor suggested I take on a promising new research topic and work toward an article on it, but I'm nervous now because I know that the old writing style won't work for the new topic, and I am afraid that finding a new way to plan the argument will either fail altogether or take so long that this advisor will lose interest (has happened before with others).

Now that I know what's going on, I feel very optimistic and have ideas about what to do. But I did want to ask: Is there anybody else on this board who has problems with executive function for whatever reason and who has dealt with these issues (or with other daily issues?) If so, do you have any advice?

[jackit]

Hello Klaeber  - I don't have any specific advice, but wanted to commend you for taking positive steps to ameliorate your difficulties.  I will say it does sound to me like you are on the right track, trying to come up with strategies to grapple with a range of article styles.  Perhaps others humanities experience can give you more specific advice.

Good luck!

J

[the_woodcutter]

You might try asking this question on some forums that are frequented by people with the disorder you think you have. Many professional positions require report writing or similar tasks whose strategies might work. A friend who worked for the government (for example) had to deal with loss of some executive function with a chronic disease. As I recall, he worked up a variety of "templates" for the long narrative analytical reports his agency required. He found help in this area on one of the early medical support-group forums from another person who had some similar issues with a different cause.

It might not be bad to cast the net widely and see from where help might arrive.

[msparticularity]

I have family members and other loved ones with probable AS, so I understand the challenges you are considering, OP. I also want to tell you that figuring this stuff out now is a really major part of the battle! Of course, one of the hallmarks of autism-spectrum disorders is difficulty with social signals, so you may or may not have a close friend or partner who can help you with some "coaching" on some of this stuff. In many cases, though, parents can be a valuable source of help, if they are clear about what one needs and don't get into blaming yourself or themselves.

Specific thoughts:
-You're still a student, so you are eligible for the kinds of programs many campuses have to help with this stuff. In particular, a Writing Center is generally prepared to help people with exactly the kinds of things you know you struggle with, such as figuring out how to sequence a particular article.
-On the paperwork, figuring out a way to feel like you're managing it might (?) help. I have a terrible time with this stuff personally (different issues but similar result). I have found that if I clearly understand the entire process ahead of time, then can break it down into a series of steps I need to take (which I put in my planner) I can handle it. For me, it's the breaking it down into small and manageable steps that is really important. And I have to find someone who is an expert at the process to explain the whole thing to me up front so I can figure out the steps. (Incidentally, sometimes this person is administrative and sometimes a faculty member.)

The biggest hint I can suggest is to tell people who are involved right up front that you are really terrible at these things, and will appreciate any tips and/or coaching they can give you in managing the process. These are things that many people struggle with, so identifying these issues will not "out" you as someone with a disability. Just be sure that you're actually trying to deal with stuff yourself and not just trying to dump it on others to do for you.

Good luck! You're definitely on the right track.

[thundering_m]

Just bookmarking this thread. Thanks.

[mignon]

My son has AS; we've found books by Tony Attwood to be helpful.