I have always found myself to be 'different' than other people.
My name is Bob and I am Aspie. I was diagnosed as Aspie in 2015, (145 of 200) from a certified clinical psychologist who was qualified in Autism testing.
He said to me 'Bob, I think you might be on the Autism Spectrum, your test came back as High Functioning.'
I had never heard of Autism but when I think back I had met a family in Mackay who made a statement, 'our son will never know that we love him.'
It seemed to me that their son was in fact very intelligent and I was not able to see anything other than a very bright and alert 20 yo.
So getting back to my diagnosis, I spent months and months checking out youtube video's on the subject of HFA. I joined an Autistic group in Townsville and went to every social meeting with them, and I continued to cross question myself regarding my life up to the point I was diagnosed.
I did struggle with acceptance of myself for about one year or so, but then it hit me, the penny dropped, I am Aspie and I have always been Aspie.
I think that a quote I read on the internet sort of made the penny drop and it goes something like this; 'what was the highest mountain on Earth before Mount Everest was discovered?'
Of course the answer is: Mount Everest. The point being; BEFORE IT WAS DISCOVERED.
So now I am 58 years young and the year is 2018 and I have come to understand that I have so many wonderful qualities, I do not compare myself with famous Aspie's such as http://www.asperger-syndrome.me.uk/people.htm as I am comfortable with who I am.
Sure I have my meltdowns which are due to overload, and that leads to exhaustion, and I lack social skills, but I accept these facts and look to my positives.
Bottom line is: if you have seen one Aspie then you have seen one Aspie. Be happy with who you are no matter what you believe about yourself; you are so very special.
I would not change who I am for the World.