I'm 18 and my four parents all strongly believe I have Aspergers

[Taxi1875]

I'm not going to make you read my biography or anything but I have always been in my own world. My mom is going to school to be a nurse and my dad, step mom, and step dad are all very skeptical people and usually doubt anything out of the norm so when all four got together, which by the way is very rare, they started trying to talk to me about how they all strongly believe that I have aspergers I became curious. So my questions are, how do you test for aspergers, through a catscan or therapy or what? Is the only treatment medication? Does it compromise brain develepment? And if you have any extra info on aspergers at all please share, like symptoms.

[GokuSS400]

Well ok, I'll do my best here to answer your questions.  First of all Diagnosis is usually done via psychological testing.  Scans of your brain won't tell you much, if you do have asperger's all a CAT scan will show is that your brain isn't working as it SHOULD be.

Treatment is usually done with medication, sometimes therapy, there's no one SINGULAR treatment for Asperger's as it's an autistic disorder.

Asperger's does not affect brain development, at least not by your age it doesn't.  Any developmental delays or problems usually occur during childhood, such as for example, your parents might notice you having trouble interacting with other kids your age, etc.

the hallmark of Asperger's is impaired social abilities.  As Sydmia said, this normally comes in the form of having difficulty reading body language, facial expressions, and other non-verbal cues.  Asperger's can also affect your motor coordination (i.e. clumsiness)(and believe me, it gets annoying at times).  EXTREME focus on a very narrow subject (such as trains or Hurricanes).  People with Asperger's like to develop routines, and have a hard time deviating from one.  Encountering a new situation can lead to fear, anxiety, etc.

there's a lot of information out there that can describe how people with Asperger's work and think internally,  If you're interested in literary help, then I'd suggest looking up Dr. Tony Attwood (considered by some to be the authority on Asperger's Syndrome)

I would say that you probably have SOME form of Autistic disorder, as you said that you've always been in your own world.  

[sydmia555]

sorry forgot I was in the expert forum....  I am by no means an expert.  bood luck.

[sydmia555]

Hi.  Great question.  People can be testing through psychological testing.  I know that Easter Seals does this type of testing.  I don't know a lot about Aspergers but from what I have read people who have it have a hard time "reading" other peoples cues. Reading thier body language and facial changes.   Working in a group can be difficult, I have heard.  I don't know about medication.  I THINK social therpy is helpful.  I also do not know about whether it compromises brain development.  
I do know that we all are a little different.  I do not believe in "normal" but rather being able to be happy and function in society the best you can.  Everyones story is different.  
Try to google aspergers and get a good medical site.  look for .org
Good luck and I hope you find the answers you seek.