Thank you for the clarification.

Still, another larger point beyond just Asperger's that I am concerned about is the concept of referring to mental illnesses as, exactly that, "illnesses" and "diseases." I question whether or not it is beneficial to label a set of behaviors and personality traits as a "disorder" which implies that such thoughts are fixed and unchangeable and can not be altered over time.

I refer to it as a condition and not a disorder. I always explain that improvement in certain aspects can be learned.

The usefulness of it as a label is for state recognition to get the help needed to have a normal life in school and beyond. I have a cousin with the same severity at age 6-7 as me but whose parents couldn't be bothered to help her (they just give in to her constantly) and as a result no improvement by age 14 and she won't be able to hold an independent life.

I guess I just don't see a mental illness in the same way as I would regard a medical illness such as diabetes or cancer. Aside from the issue as to whether or not a mental illness is really an illness in the first place (let's not forget that homosexuality amoungst other things was once in the DSM), a mental illness is most likely able to be improved upon or "cured." No amount of personal improvement and talk therapy will cure someone of diabetes or cancer ... it is all dependent on medical technology available..

A mental illness, on the other hand, can often be improved upon with time/therapy (non drug related I would argue). You spoke of your improvements in some areas, and I have seen my diagnosed bipolar friend make remarkable changes in personality over the past few years. The problem then becomes that diagnosis ... he will always see himself as bipolar, and I would imagine that you will always identify as someone with Aspergers. Even if your behaviors and personality became more normalized over time to the point where you could not even be identified as having Aspergers you would still have the diagnosis.

My behaviour and personality is basically unchanged. I still find all those things difficult. I do not see improvement as in the condition but instead in my management of it.

Particularly in how I can present myself to other people. I can appear normal in familiar situations. At such point that I could appear normal all of the time, I would simply not inform others of my diagnosis.

Then there is also the issue of the diagnosis being a self-fulfilling prophecy. I see it a lot with my friend. He withdraws and always talks about how his disorder holds him back. I just don't think he would do that (as there would not be an excuse for his behavior) in a world where bipolar disorder was not something that was diagnosed.

Yes. A diagnosis is not always a good thing. For me and my parents, it helped us to understand why I do what I do and suggested the most promising routes for help. Plus the state recognition which was essential. 

I agree it can be a bad thing for other people, especially if it changes how they choose to behave. And there are certainly misdiagnoses around.

A child who needs help with X in school SHOULD be treated the same as one with the label X. But this is not the case. Education workers have a nonsensical need to see that label before helping.

http://www.aspergerstestsite.com/

I scored a 12/50 so I guess I don't have to worry!

I never knew anyone else with it growing up, but once I moved to University there were quite a few.

I wasn't diagnosed until I was 19. I always had trouble reading people; I'd never know when people were angry, or sad, unless they were crying or yelling. I would annoy and piss people off but not know why. Conversation was insanely hard; I could never think of what to say, or know when it was appropriate to jump in. 

I had obsessive interests in things nobody else cared about; spiders, outer space, infectious diseases, giant monster movies. And I do mean obsessive. I would calculate the transmission and fatality rates of imaginary flu epidemics, just for fun. I was always smart for my age when it came to things like vocabulary, but the simplest everyday tasks, like shopping or ordering pizza, were just impossible.

Over time I gradually taught myself to recognize facial expressions, and body language. It's a work in progress, but I'm learning to manage my condition.

But you know what? I wouldn't change it if I could, cos it's a key part of what made me the person I am, and I'm happy with who I am.

So, do we have any Aspies in the VGChartz community?

And for those who do, if you could "cure" it, would you?