Asperger's Syndrome - Executive Dysfunction

A.J. Mahari, a woman diagnosed with Asperger's Syndrome in adulthood, in a video recorded in 2007, talks about her experience of what is defined as "Executive Dysfunction" as being her aspie way of functioning. What NT's think of executive function doesn't have to be the reality imposed upon those with Asperger's Syndrome. We are different. Different is valuable too.

Category:

Education

Tags:

• Asperger's Syndrome
• aj mahari
• aspie functioning
• AS
• autism
• pdd
• females and asperger's

[zadeh79]

And I'm curious about your name. What is your ethnic b/g, if you don't mind?

[ajmmahari]

I chose my name when I legally changed it in 1997. It doesn't really reflect my ethnic background. I am Canadian - isn't actually listed as an ethnicity. My ethnic background is a combination of British/Scottish/Irish/Austral­ian but I was born in Canada.

[bumeyes1000]

Thank you so much. The way you described carrying out daily tasks by spontaneous association rather than deliberate planning is exactly my experience of daily life too. I was diagnosed a month ago, after suspecting it myself for a while. I'm 27.

I'm going to sub you!

[chicitysue]

Executive dysfunction like yours sounds like me. I make "to do" lists which are somewhat helpful in prioritizing, but much of MY life is too spontaneous. Maybe I should do as you do: focus on one thing a day. I would have to decide up front whether it is a duty or a pleasure. As one of the other remarks said: my biggest villain is procrastination. So I think I have to decide when I have a duty to do. Thank you for your useful and enlightening efforts to explain Asperger's as you experience it.

[lilprodegie]

I know exactly how you feel. I was diagnosed about a year ago with EDF. All throughout my childhood I was miss diagnosed with certain social disabilities, and ADD. I knew that I wasn't ADD, because I could hold conversation for an extended amount of time, and when im set on one project I can hold my focus for a while.

My biggest villan is percrastination. Ill put off doing homework until just a couple of hours before class. I tell myself every time that I won't put it off, but to no avail.

[Moffpot1982]

That is so amazing - it is not just me! I do things by association also..wow..this gives me such a sense of validation! :-) Thank you. May God bless and keep you.

[nanstube]

Fantastic. This video made me feel joyous. Finally, someone who gets what's its like.

I don't know how many times I've tried explaining this to people.

[zadeh79]

What matters is the observation that Aspies can solve problems that n-typicals cannot, at least through some developmental period (childhood-early adulthood). They make a great case for the right brain genius.

[zadeh79]

Aspies do have problems with Working memory capacity, however, they show superior overall executive function, because they outperform neurotypicals (at least through all of adolecents and early adulthood) on tests of fluid intelligence. It is widely accepted that EF explains Fluid Intellegence. But then again EF is not well grounded, neither is fluid intelligence.

[sybeve]

You have given me a lot of hope today. Especially what you said about the cleaning & not scheduling more than 1 thing & the fork/kitchen thing.... everything! Thank you because that was so validating. It's like you're saying to me, 'no, you're not crazy; you have AS!'