autism...what does this mean to you?

Autism, although it is becoming much more popular among children, still remains a relatively loose defined term. If you ask two people "what is autism" you will likely get two totally different answers.

When some people think of autism they think of  the character Sheldon from The Big Bang Theory who obviously has what was once called Aspergers syndrome, but has been recently changed to "autism spectrum disorder," or "high functioning autistic" for whatever reason, (causing even more confusion to the public). 

"Aspergers," or "high functioning autism," It is characterized by signitican difficulties in social interaction and non verbal communication, alongstide restricted and repetitive patterns of behaviour and interests. It differs from other autism spectrum disorders by its relative preservation to linguistic and cognitive development, in order for someone to be labelled as having "high functioning autism spectrum disorder," or "aspergers," they must have an average or above average level of intelligence (not that I believe in labelling one's intelligence based on some ignorant tests)

So therefore, the boy you might see rocking back and forth in the back of the classroom or banging his head repeatedly on the wall might have autism, but he would not be labelled as having "aspergers,"

The other thing that makes "autism" a confusing term, is the fact that although there are common characteristics no 2 people are alike. Some people with this diagnosis might be similar to Sheldon from TBBT in atypical repetitive interests in Science, and little understanding of social norms, but not all people are like him. Take Temple Grandin, for example, she was very interested in how livestock are treated in the meat industry. Other famous people thought to have asperger's are Einstein and, Michael Jackson...see similarities between these people? Besides being socially awkward, Neither do I 

So when I was diagnosed, at the age of 13 I was confused, but now that I look back on that event I see that it makes a lot of sense. As a child, I had little interest in socializing with other children, and often preferred to be by myself or with my Mom or Dad. I had the odd friend here and there, but it never seemed to last very long. 

My parents weren't social people, so perhaps my diagnosis may have been in part due to the environment I grew up in. We NEVER had guests over for dinner, My Mom had one or two "friends" whom she visited a few times a month and my Dad's friends were based on his interests, (flying, fly fishing, carving, ukelele, whatever is in the moment) he even admits he would not be friends with these people had they not had the common pursuit.

What does "aspergers" mean for me?

Personally, my interests changed from time to time but when I am interested in one thing I want little to do with anything else.

I still feel akward socially, I'm not completely socially inept but its not something that comes to me naturally, sometimes I will do or say something that people might find odd.

When I tell people I have asperger's often they are surprised "but you don't seem handicapped..." 

Aspergers has nothing to do with intelligence, and everything to do with how someone acts in social situations. 

I personally believe, no matter what you are diagnosed with you can become better each day. My social skills, (after a few years of college, and some integration in the community) are getting better, and will continue to get better if I work on improving them. 

My wish is that people wouldn't be so quick to judge someone who is labelled as having "aspergers" 

I am a Mom, I got honors in College in 2012, I do my own cooking (I LOVE COOKING) and cleaning, and take care of my daughter. My diagnosis does not define who I and your diagnosis (if you have one) should not define who you are.