I was diagnosed with Aspergers at 10. When I tell people, I can see the look of terror and confusion on their faces: surely not? It sounds like an intimidating diagnoses, but overall it’s just one thing, and it happens to be who I am — take it or leave it. I’ve also dealt with the usual head shakes from those who don’t believe in labels, and while I can see where they’re coming from, the labels have been a blessing for me. But they do not define who I am, but they have led me in the right direction of books, forums, and friends who have helped me understand who I am and why it’s okay. I no longer beat myself up for my “differences” because now I see there’s nothing wrong with them. I grew up mostly isolated due to most people not understanding who I am. Nowadays I prefer my own company, and that of the friends I dreamt up for myself — something I am grateful for. But even the most solitary people long for a sense of connection . . . right? Now rather than hide in my own depression, I decided that I want to live life own my own terms and work towards a life that enables me to because at the moment, I'm in a full time job which satisfyingly pays me but isolates me, and still leave in my childhood home at the age of 28. It took me a long time to come to terms with things myself. I imagine a world in which a new generation accepted others just that little bit more, until one day terms like “neurotypical” are antiquated, and people embrace “neurodiversity”. I can only imagine how much pain in my teenage years might have been avoided if people had understood — how many children have been abandoned? How many abusive marriages, going back generations. There is always something positive to take from these things. What I’m saying is: we can’t go back in time . . .but we all have the power to create a better future. What better time to start than the present?
