Quote Originally Posted by Gandalf_The_Grey
For those who don't know, Aspergers syndrome is basically high-functioning autism. It's autism without the cognitive impairment. It still causes lack of social skill, delay in mental development, obessive-compulsive behavior, problem's with fine motor skills like writing or typing, and a tendency for tantrums (interestingly, I recently read that some theorize aspergers may be caused at least in part by a seratonin deficiency, which would account for this).



Anyway, my little brother has Aspergers; he's 17. I've always looked out for him since I was 5, and sadly I'm his best friend since he doesn't have any friends, what with the social ineptitude that comes with the package.

I love the kid and I'll always look out for him but... he drives me freakin' nuts! We have about 1-2 minor fights a day, 5-6 days out of the week. He's incredibly high-strung and pretty much bouncing off the walls.
Because of his obessiveness he always has to put everything back in it's proper place even if it's at a totally inconvenient time.
He'll say totally embarrasing and innapropriate things when we have company over (thankfully my long-time friends understand and are used to it). He gets really mad about the tiniest things and swears a blue streak, every day.
When he gets aggitated he's extremely rude to our parents or me or my sister, like way over the top, but we have to keep reminding ourselves that he doesn't even realize he's acting like an asshole (he really doesn't).
He's constantly doing weired things at innapropriate times. (sniffing the cats, climbing structues in public places, insists on running ahead when he's walking with somebody, the only way he can play with other kids is telling them exactly what to do - which of course drives them off)
And he frequently gets an entirely different meaning than what you said.


So I'm not alone here right? Anybody here have someone with aspergers, do they drive you nuts too?
Yes, I do. As others have pointed out, individuals may exhibit intense symptoms who have difficulty keeping a job, or they may simply do some "odd" personality traits but still live successful lives.

Here is one question for you: does your brother spend time on the internet in any meaningful way? Here is why I ask... my experience with AS was that the acting out/frustration was because the person in question could not verbally communicate. However, when he found that he can express himself through the internet (typing) the acting out. I did a bit more research and I finally found this (a long but worthwhile read): The Truth About Autism: Scientists Reconsider What They Think They Know

Yes, I've been there. It may be something that drives you nuts but the condition is not something they can control, but your reaction to it is. I would suggest that you look into (or develop) methods of deflating the "driving nuts" feeling. It should help you in the long.