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Soupe du jour · Jan 14, 2022 at 04:06 PM

I'm no expert on autism or autism spectrum, but I have been in contact with a handful of people who have it. I remember talking to my psychiatrist about why some people present as excess talkers (extreme in cases), while my two nephews (both diagnosed with Asperger's) barely talk(ed) at all. He told me that the autism spectrum has some variations, so those on the spectrum don't all present exactly the same. I guess that's sort of similar, in a way, to those on the bipolar spectrum. But my point in mentioning this is that one might see some of the "extreme talkers" as almost manic-like, but without actual mania.

Possible trigger:

My eldest nephew has ADD in addition to Asperger's. He definitely has more of the inattentive type, and yet he is extremely hyperfocused about select hobbies. My youngest nephew had a bipolar diagnosis with the Asperger's. I'd say my youngest seemed to have a slightly more severe Asperger's than the eldest, and his functionality was far more affected. As referenced, he was a quiet (and sweet) fellow and his bipolar disorder presented mostly on the depressive end. When he did have "mood elevation" it was extremely agitated and a number of times he became violent. This latter tendency caused him great sadness, as his father called the cops on him a few times, leading to hospitalizations. Once he showed violence towards my eldest nephew, which led to his father encouraging a restraining order. [I think that was a very sad and unfair overreaction, but I'll just leave it at that.] My younger nephew had to live with my father and brother [not the greatest duo to live with - believe me] for much of a year, until the restraining order was lifted. Tragically, though he had about a year feeling much better, living again with my sister/bi-l/eldest nephew, he became quite ill again. And was lost. In his short 24 years he had 9 psychiatric hospitalizations, with two series of ECTs and some were from 911 calls regarding suicidal threats. I'm not sure if/how much his Asperger's may have played a part, but certainly it was a major challenge in his life. He never had any friends. I don't believe he ever had a girlfriend. His only jobs were very unsatisfying. He was unable to succeed at community college. But also, I feel my brother-in-law was extremely verbally abusive. It deeply saddens me that he had such misery! If I had only known what was likely to come, I swear I would have asked him to live with my husband and me. Would haves, could haves, should haves! During those tough times for him, I was having severe times, as well. Despite all of these challenges, he loved both of his parents...for better or worse. My sister is a good person, but a typical wife of an abuser who lives with and excuses it. Not to say she never tried to make things better, but she could have done more. I also think living in a near hoarding house was rough for him. [B-i-l and eldest nephew have those tendencies.] It's a total tragedy! He collected SSI for some years, then after finally trying to work, he was fired.