Best and worst reactions to your ASD

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That would have been top of my "best reaction" list if it had happened to me. The fun I could have had with somebody who thought I had dangerous supernatural powers!

Best: My friend after me trying to get to the point for at least 15 minutes, coming out with it finally: "Oh, is that something, our son is also a bit autistic."

Worst: My other friend about my dx: "You've made an idiot out of yourself." (repeatedly) He's yet much to learn.

Had I not been around 8 at the time, it would have been funny.

Throughout history, many cultures also associated left-handedness with being evil. I happen to be a left-handed aspie, so I guess I'm really doomed!

I've been told by at least one person he isn't surprised. His reaction was actually expected. I can recall at least 2 occasions where he said that he thinks I have it.

Best reaction: "Oh, cool."
Worst: "I am sooo, sooo sorry...."

Am I the only one who doesn't understand reactions like this? What exactly have others got to be sorry for?

My mum completely rubbished the idea when I once told her I thought I might have AS, as did one of my best friends. My best mate from back in the day calls me a "massive OCD asperger's b*****d" when I insist on sorting stuff before we head out, jokingly I might add. It's not always easy to tell when people are joking but I've known him that long and some of the stuff I say back to him isn't repeatable on here, so I always call it quits.

Best reaction: My Mom said "I think your Dad must have had it too, because it describes him in many ways and you are so much like him". This meant a lot to me, because my Dad died when I was eight years old and I was always very close to him and related so much to him. Now I know why we had such a special bond. (Of course, I'm also very close to my Mom and she has many of the aspie traits as well, but to a lesser degree. Therefore, I may be the product of two aspies. I don't rule that out.)

Worst, ignorant, and probably common reactions: "You don't have Asperger's...you're too normal to have Asperger's" and "Everyone has a little bit of Asperger's in them".

Best reaction: My Mom said "I think your Dad must have had it too, because it describes him in many ways and you are so much like him". This meant a lot to me, because my Dad died when I was eight years old and I was always very close to him and related so much to him. Now I know why we had such a special bond. (Of course, I'm also very close to my Mom and she has many of the aspie traits as well, but to a lesser degree. Therefore, I may be the product of two aspies. I don't rule that out.)

Worst, ignorant, and probably common reactions: "You don't have Asperger's...you're too normal to have Asperger's" and "Everyone has a little bit of Asperger's in them".

I think it's a figure of speech. People say it when a tragedy happens to you, like if somebody dies.

The best response was from a loving relative whose IMMEDIATELY saw how it all fit into place, and continues to be very sympathetic. The worst response was from the psychopharmacologist who's been prescribing my depression medication for many years. He lifted his eyebrows when I told him about the diagnosis and said, "Asperger's?! NO. I don't see that at all."

But my visits with him are every other month for less than 20 minutes. I also wonder if I need to be taking all these anti-depressants if I find ways to counteract the worst effect of my Asperger's, which is the inability to make friends and relationships.

Worst reaction: From my current boss, about a year ago: "Your attitude stinks. You never socialize with anyone at the office. Some days, you barely say ten words." Of course, he then proceeded to tell me that I'm the best person he's ever had in my position in the 30 years he's owned the business and that my focus and attention to detail are astounding. Needless to say, I left that meeting just a little confused.

Best reaction: From a co-worker: "I've never met anyone who makes so few mistakes. AS is your gift."

I make a lot of mistakes in my work, no matter how hard I try not to. That's directly tied to my low self-esteem.

Just remember that we're all different. We're on a spectrum, after all. I happen to be a person who can employ intense focus at work. It's a small office and there aren't many distractions. Yes, I deal with the public, but all I do generally is take their payment and give them their receipt. I avoid small talk as best I can without being rude. I DO make mistakes at work, but as a perfectionist who beats himself up mentally when I do make a mistake, I focus even harder to avoid making a mistake. It's actually quite unhealthy. I'm quite certain that you have many strengths that would be weaknesses for me.