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I am male, 39, married, with 2 kids, and work as a lawyer in Los Angeles.

I just learned I have AS and it explains a lot. I have had some big career setbacks due to my AS. (My success has nowhere near matched my ability. The academic part of being a laywer is a form of applied logic, and I excel at logic.) I have always blamed it on being imposisbly shy and awkward.

Since realizing I had AS, I have told my parrents, brother and wife. They kind of shrug it off, like, as if it's just another label for being shy and eccentric. I'm not sure I can have a conversation to make them understand just how different my way of thinking feels, like I'm an alien among them. I'm not sure I want to, either. I figure this site is a place to explore those issues.

I figure I have some issues apart from AS, too, such as depression. And I procrastinate like crazy, which I'm not sure is AS. I guess I'm still unsure what aspects of my character are attributable to AS and which are attributable to, perhaps, being odd on top of having AS.

Ken

Welcome to WP!

To WrongPlanet!! !

Hi Ken-Esq and welcome to the WrongPlanet. You have come to the right place. I am 44 years old and have been a public school teacher for 21 years. I am diagnosed with Asperger's and that really explained my life to me. Like you, I have been perceived as shy and eccentric. I also can procastinate. I have two sons (one of which is going for a diagnosis of autism soon), and I have been married for almost 20 years. I now teach the gifted program, but previously was an English teacher. I was always evaluated low because they felt I was not working up to my potential and reaching the kids. But now, as the gifted teacher, I have found my niche.

If there are any questions you have, we will be happy to help you. You will find many different views of autism on this website. I will let you know mine. I see Asperger's/autism as a difference rather than a disorder. I also focus on the good things/gifts that Asperger's has done for me---mainly in interests and talents.

I hope to hear from you soon,

glider18

Glad to meet you, Ken, and welcome to the Wrong Planet.

Hi Ken,

Welcome to WP.

I'm in a pretty similar situation, 2 kids, found out I was an aspie only a few years back - and I just turned 40.

Anyway, I've documented a lot of my experience and story in my blog - if you're interested (see my footer).

You're certainly not the first aspie lawyer I've met.

Just to clarify a few things...
- Depression - side effect of aspergers
- Procrastination - very aspie

You'll find yourself on a journey backwards through your life identifying what is aspie and what is not. It's enlightening but not limiting so don't take it too hard. I remember being a bit upset that I wasn't so unique after all. Your wife is important too. She needs to be by your side for the journey. Learning about yourself and the aspie label should positively affect your relationship.

Anyway, feel free to PM me or just post away and we'll answer.

Good luck.

Hi Ken, welcome here. I can understand that your family and wife would have problems seeing you as AS, when they've seen you as just shy and eccentric for so many years. I am much younger than you, and even my parents won't recognize my AS, because they say I've always been eccentric and tha't sjust fine, and no need to have a disability label for it. Maybe with time they will get used to the idea that you are an Aspie.