DOES MY HUSBAND HAVE ASPERGER’S?

I have been unhappily married for 40 years. We have three adult children and I recently retired. I now realise that I have only been able to endure this marriage through work, family and friends. My husband is extremely intelligent, but very shy. He doesn’t know how to have a conversation or have fun, and he can be verbally abusive. The only time he really talks is to answer general-knowledge questions – his knowledge amazes people. We haven’t had sex for 20 years and he doesn’t even like being near me in case I touch him. I have asked him if he is gay, but he says absolutely not. I am told I am a kind, fun-loving, attractive woman. My friends don’t like him. We went on holiday with them recently and they said that he is a rude, arrogant and selfish man and they want nothing more to do with him. I think he may have Asperger’s syndrome, but he refuses to see his GP and says that he doesn’t have a problem. How can I get him assessed or convince him to get help? People with Asperger’s syndrome or high-functioning autism often have considerable intelligence but a limited or inappropriate way of communicating with other people. They often view the world in black and white, are not good at negotiation or compromise and don’t understand such things as facial expressions and tone of voice. They don’t see themselves as other people see them. This may be the case with your husband. You have had an incredibly difficult 40 years. Autism can’t be cured but can be helped by various therapies. So talk to your husband again and explain that you can’t continue in the marriage unless he is prepared to get help. However, I suspect he won’t be. If nothing changes, then be kind to yourself and end the marriage. You deserve a better life.