Aviation And Asperger's Syndrome

[Aloha717200]

Hello, new here, and with a question.

I went to the doctor recently for some problems with frequent headaches, and while they were evaluating me they noticed a few nuances of my behavor that lead them to believe that I may have Asperger's Syndrome.

On May 21 I am going to see a specialist for a second opinion, but if I do have this condition it explains a few things I've encountered in life, like having a narrow range of interests...and I'm now very worried that this may prevent me from working in aviation, or even being able to get a medical.

The timing of this couldn't be worse, as this year I planned to begin flight school and hopefully start an FBO job in SLC, launching my aviation career. What I'd like to know is if there's any chance I could still be a pilot if I am diagnosed with Asperger's?

I've read up on the condition, and I don't posess any physical clumsiness, and I don't behave inappropriately. Instead I can be awkward in social situations...I make a good first impression. Most people don't pick up on me being "different" until after they've known me for a while.

As far as work performance, I tend to function best under checklists, rules, routines, and structure. I have a harder time with unspecified knowledge like "common sense" and "thinking on my feet".

I do pretty well in flight simulators, and in real world discovery flights, I've been just fine. So I think I could, at the least, handle a PPL license. I dont know if being an ATP would ever be in the cards, though.

Can you tell me what limitations there are in regards to Asperger's?

Also, I have read that FAA may be relaxing some rules about antidepressants in the future. If my condition could be manageable with antidepressants (I've been taking antidepressants for years and not had any significant trouble), then would it allow me to be a pilot in some fashion?


If I can't be an airline pilot, I can accept that. As long as I can work in the industry. But if I can't even hold a PPL, that will certainly crush me...and I'm hoping it won't come to that.

Edit: The medication I've been taking is amitriptyline, and they just had me cease taking that medication until my evaluation on May 21.

[My Flight Surgeon]

The FAA will want to review your entire evaluation. I would spend the money on a full neuropsychologic evaluation if you want to pursue an aviation career. This will be expensive but it will give the FAA the information they will need to make the decision on a medical certificate.

The current medication is disqualifying.

[Aloha717200]

Originally Posted by My Flight Surgeon

The FAA will want to review your entire evaluation. I would spend the money on a full neuropsychologic evaluation if you want to pursue an aviation career. This will be expensive but it will give the FAA the information they will need to make the decision on a medical certificate.

The current medication is disqualifying.

so I still have a chance? They've taken me off of my current meds....do you know of a list of disqualifying drugs that I can have access to, so that if they prescribe me a new med I can know which drugs to say no to, and which ones would be acceptable?

Then again that will all change soon so maybe I should sit tight until later this year in that regard, and take what they give me until I know more.


I believe the CAA has a blanket ban on people with Asperger's. If the FAA is more lax I will be very relieved.

[My Flight Surgeon]

Here is the issue with the FAA. It is not only the drugs but the underlying diagnosis and how well it is tolerated. They will consider Asperger's syndrome but I seriously doubt they will grant a medical certificate. It will probably depend on neuro-psychological testing results.

[JDMcFly]

My very unprofessional opinion

Honestly, I think Aspergers is an extremely over diagnosed condition.

Every few years comes along a fad condition that Doctors want to diagnose for everyone. If you aren't the perfect kid in school and the least bit socially awkward, you have ADD.. ADHD.. Bipilor Disorder.. Aspergers?

I just base this on the idea that I know of two people who definately have aspergers, and you can tell very easily. I know three others who have been told they might have aspergers (one by their parent who for some reason wants something to be wrong with them). Yeah, they are shy and not social butterflies. But being socially awkward isn't a disorder. [/rant].

Maybe I am wrong, I don't know. I am one of those people who aren't the drug first ask later types.

[Itchy]

JDM - you're an AME also? Or just a Dr.?

[SJM]

Honestly, I would stay away from an official diagnosis. There is no cure for Aspergers, and taking medication to ease the anxiety or whatnot will likely be a crutch and do more harm than good in the long run. In my opinion, getting a diagnosis will not lead to anything positive aside from knowing for yourself that you have this "condition." On top of that, having a medical history of such can only open doors to being discriminated against and being treated as handicapped, etc.

I am not a doctor, and I do not know the extent of your condition, so this is just food for thought.

[Toria]

From the Autism Society of America www.autism-society.org
The ASA has information for adults also, along with Autism Speaks/CAN www.autismspeaks.org.

Being diagnosed (labeled) with a developmental/pshchologic syndrome has many consequences. Some are good, like getting appropriate medical or therapeutic help. Other consequences are barriers (appropriate or not) to opening doors. The full psych evaluation is the best course of action in the long run of life. It will give you much necessary information for decision making and goal setting. I wish you all the very best!

History

Asperger's Disorder was first described in the 1940s by Viennese pediatrician Hans Asperger who observed autistic-like behaviors and difficulties with social and communication skills in boys who had normal intelligence and language development. Many professionals felt Asperger's Disorder was simply a milder form of autism and used the term "high-functioning autism" to describe these individuals. Professor Uta Frith, with the Institute of Cognitive Neuroscience of University College London and author of Autism and Asperger Syndrome, describes individuals with Asperger's Disorder as "having a dash of Autism." Asperger's Disorder was added to the American Psychiatric Association's Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-IV) in 1994 as a separate disorder from autism. However, there are still many professionals who consider Asperger's Disorder a less severe form of autism.
Characteristics

What distinguishes Asperger's Disorder from Autism Disorder is the severity of the symptoms and the absence of language delays. Children with Asperger's Disorder may be only mildly affected and frequently have good language and cognitive skills. To the untrained observer, a child with Asperger's Disorder may just seem like a normal child behaving differently.
Children with autism are frequently seen as aloof and uninterested in others. This is not the case with Asperger's Disorder. Individuals with Asperger's Disorder usually want to fit in and have interaction with others; they simply don't know how to do it. They may be socially awkward, not understanding of conventional social rules, or show a lack of empathy. They may have limited eye contact, seem to be unengaged in a conversation, and not understand the use of gestures.
Interests in a particular subject may border on the obsessive. Children with Asperger's Disorder frequently like to collect categories of things, such as rocks or bottle caps. They may be proficient in knowing categories of information, such as baseball statistics or Latin names of flowers. While they may have good rote memory skills, they have difficulty with abstract concepts.
One of the major differences between Asperger's Disorder and autism is that, by definition, there is no speech delay in Asperger's. In fact, children with Asperger's Disorder frequently have good language skills; they simply use language in different ways. Speech patterns may be unusual, lack inflection or have a rhythmic nature, or it may be formal, but too loud or high pitched. Children with Asperger's Disorder may not understand the subtleties of language, such as irony and humor, or they may not understand the give-and- take nature of a conversation.
Another distinction between Asperger's Disorder and autism concerns cognitive ability. While some individuals with autism experience mental retardation, by definition a person with Asperger's Disorder cannot possess a "clinically significant" cognitive delay and most possess average to above average intelligence.
While motor difficulties are not a specific criteria for Asperger's, children with Asperger's Disorder frequently have motor skill delays and may appear clumsy or awkward.
Diagnosis

Diagnosis of Asperger's Disorder is on the increase, although it is unclear whether it is more prevalent or whether more professionals are detecting it. The symptoms for Asperger's Disorder are the same as those listed for autism in the DSM-IV; however, children with AS do not have delays in the area of communication and language. In fact, to be diagnosed with Asperger’s, a child must have normal language development as well as normal intelligence. The DSM-IV criteria for AS specifies that the individual must have "severe and sustained impairment in social interaction, and the development of restricted, repetitive patterns of behavior, interests and activities that must cause clinically significant impairment in social, occupational or other important areas of functioning."
The first step to diagnosis is an assessment, including a developmental history and observation. This should be done by medical professionals experienced with autism and other PDDs. If Asperger's Disorder or high-functioning autism is suspected, the diagnosis of autism will generally be ruled out first. Early diagnosis is also important as children with Asperger's Disorder who are diagnosed and treated early in life have an increased chance of being successful in school and eventually living independently. To learn more, see Consulting with Professionals

[Doug Taylor]

Hey!