Messages posted by: quirkymom

Hi everyone. I am so glad there is an easy to join chat site for adults with AS. I am one of the lost generation. Born before the 1980's went through all my school years and twenty's with either no dx or being called mentally ill. My mother began working with autistic children in the mid 2000's. The more she learned and thought back over my childhood, she started suggesting I be tested for AS. That didn't happen until April of this year, when I'd gotten physically sick on an anti-depressant and told my Dr. I insist on being re-diagnosed. The dx doctor was a specialist with adults on the ASD. That day was like waking from a dream. I finally could say, "I'm not actually alone. There are others who are quirky like me."
That all said, I managed to make it through with a supportive family who never really made excuses for my quirks,(they just helped me adapt them to my benefit.) and one single close friend who wouldn't let my odd behavior scare him away.
So many of you hit the nail on the head. With the right services I myself have grown dramatically in the ability to interact with the neuro-typical world. I'm not ready for social clubs or to throw parties just yet, but I can attend church, go to the grocery store and talk to people without having a melt-down. I really feel my future is bright. I'm going back to college this fall to begin an AAS in paraprefessional education. I want to offer kids like me the chances I didn't have. Far too many of the para's that worked with me as a middle school kid, had no experience and no understanding of my condition.(they were tough sometimes but I forgive them they were neuro-typical). That and the fact that my 2yr old daughter was just diagnosed ASD, I'll be better prepaired to navigate the school system so she can get all the help that is out there to make her the best she can be.
Take heart, many years ago people like me were locked away in institutions, now some of us are making a difference, so that someday we will all be accepted in a society where "normal" is an archaic word. A word that has been replaced with "human being."