Does one get tested for Asperger’s Syndrome after age 45?(By Les)

Greetings, Manic Fans.  Les here with a conundrum.  My Mother is convinced that growing up, I had Asperger’s Syndrome(at least a mild form of it).  Of course, back then, nobody had ever heard of that condition…come to think of it, nobody had ever heard of ADHD back then, either.  Nowadays, both are known, well-documented and a great many children are diagnosed with both.  

When I was married, and communications got too confusing and frustrating, my wife made me get tested for ADHD…and whadaya know?  BAM!  Strong case of it!  I went on Ritalyn and Welbutron for concentration and depression control.  Ultimately, they didn’t help, because the other end of that particular problem was my wife, whose short-fuse temper and high-maintenence demands were beyond the realm of any sane man no matter how hard he tried…but that’s a discussion for another day….What it boils down to is that I can function with ADHD by forcing myself to concentrate on the things that I’m not interested in by making them interesting(it has to do with embracing my personality traits:  Fun seeking and being in control, and adapting my situations to fit both).  I’ve been off those meds for 7 years now, and I’ve never been happier.  I’m also getting a lot more efficient at doing the things I need to in order to be a good Father for my children.

However, getting back to the original topic:  Asperger’s Syndrome.  If Mom is correct(And she may very well be…thinking back on it, I was an escapist daydreamer whose preferred peers were grown ups and my best friends were the record player and the piano), then I grew up with it, and found a way to be a fully functional adult without therapy or medication.  On the other hand, I have suffered more than a few bouts of mild to severe depression in my adult life that could’ve been linked to being an undiagnosed Asperger’s case.  Could being Asperger’s explain my experience with cyber addiction I suffered 4 years ago?  Would knowing for sure help me today?

See, if I simply assume it’s true, then does it simply become another thing I’ve learned to live with and work around without realizing it’s there?  Would being aware of it give me greater understanding that I could then use to function at an even greater level in my life?  CAN a grown man even be diagnosed with a case of Asperger’s Syndrome?

I put it to you, Manic Fans.  What are your opinions on this?  I’d like some advice, my friends.  Peace.

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