Thank you so much Jordan. You have stated here very clearly exactly how I feel right now. (And sorry by the way if you feel I have been too selective in editing your quote.)
That is fine by me, I just feel that the college, namely, label us as wrong people. And we are called names like "emo", "mental" , "retard". I could think of more names, but I feel that it would be too inappropriate to say on these forums. I think that they should educate us properly, and NOT have a normal tutor, who knows nothing about it teach it! Have a specialist, like a person with "Aspergers", namely a success story e.g Bill Gates, to actually teach pupils, college students, and that today's society is labeling us as "mental". I feel like the government is also ignoring us. But recent personal research shows that they are changing that in May with categorizing everyone with AS under autism. But the point is that they should teach Aspergers Syndrome correctly in college from a specialist that has actually experienced what it's like to be an "aspie". Not let the tutors educate it.
I was diagnosed by Maxine Aston several years ago and I have since tried unsuccessfully to explain my diagnosis to my family and close friends. My family just think that I have accepted the diagnosis in order to keep my wife happy i.e. To give her an excuse for treating me badly (their view not mine i.e I'm not saying she treats me badly). They think they know what Aspergers Syndrome looks like because they have met a young man with it and he exhibits very differently to me. My wife and I are almost certain that my Mum is an Aspie along with my brother and sister. Perhaps another source of their reluctance is because they recognise that they are very much like me and so if they accept my diagnosis they would have to think seriously about themselves.
Yes, family are a pain, and they should see that us "aspies" are different from NTs. If you ever follow me on Twitter, I have outbursts and I tweet the outburst out, so that someone can hear my call and help. Because if you don't fight the war, you are never going to win the battle, and that is a strong point made. We are going to have tantrums, fights, outbursts, but it's what makes "us" us, and neurotypicals have a chance to change their attitude towards people with Aspergers Syndrome. Namely doing these specialist sessions in colleges to help raise awareness that we are different, and it's not a mental disorder and it's a form of autism and it's what makes yourself different from that crowd, and help people understand it. TV campaigns have been around, but people are often not even "bothered" to care. I am followed by numerous campaigns, namely one called AmbitiousAboutAutism, they featured themselves on Lorraine explaining what autism is and how it affects the person inside, and what parents can do to help, but I feel like these cries from campaigns are being ignored, and that people should hear our cry!
Some of our friends, those who have family members who could well be on the Autistic spectrum, have accepted my diagnosis but others haven't. The problem is that when they don't accept it they don't do it graciously. Instead they seem to see it as their mission, or duty, as my friend to convince me of the error of my ways. They too see my wife as being extremely emotional and demanding and because they don't recognise my diagnosis they don't support my wife in her difficulties living with me.
Exactly! My family says it is wrong for them to "label" me. To which point I try to explain to them, "it's what makes "me" me, and if you don't like it, then go away!" - It's really upsetting to know that "I am an outcast from others" and namely my family doesn't accept the fact that I am different and it effects me in numerous different ways: sensory issues, social difficulties, meltdowns; they all need to accept us for who we are. Or what is the point of them actually being there for us, is all they do is throw negativity at you because "you are who you are". It really gets me distressed. :/
I am now at the point where I'm considering being much more bold and public about who I am so that all our friends will have to pay attention and either stop fighting me or stop being my friend. I have never informed my employer or colleagues that I'm an Aspie and I'm a little concerned that word could/would get back to them if I become much more open. However I am starting to realise that I need to do this for my sanity and that of my wife.
As I said, I have tried to explain it to family and friends, but they never hear my call and often blank me out for it, and it causes meltdowns, and the parents, college, and friends have got to come to accept who we are. We are aspies, and we shouldn't be knocked down when we fall, we shouldn't be made fun of, we shouldn't be humiliated in front of others. You know why? Because we are who WE are, and no-one is going to barge in our way to change us. Yes, we can be antagonistic, yes we can be rude towards people in attitude, but it's because we are fighting OUR corner. Society shouldn't deny people because they have disabilites or learning difficulties, society should accept it and support the person, and teach today's modern society that we are different!
