Wen u tell NT of ur AS do they say "U must have it mild

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I agree, it is a double edged sward.

Asperger's isn't called a "hidden disability" for nothing. Perhaps one of the most frustrating thing about being an able person with AS is the fact that if you are able to find ways of coping and presenting as 'normal', those around you will assume that it is as natural for you as it is for them, and they will therefore not expect you to have difficulties with routine things.

It is easy for them to assume that your condition is 'mild', because they see that you CAN cope, and therefore if you DON'T cope in a certain situation, you're obviously (to them) just being lazy/thoughtless/manipulative etc.

A woman on the NAS website penned the dilemma quite nicely. Coping with everyday life is like walking a tightrope for an Aspie. However, the difference is that people don't expect a tightrope walker to keep on tightrope walking forever.

Presenting as 'normal' is definitely achievable for many Aspies, at least some of the time. However, it's exhausting as it takes so much more effort and concentration. If those around us could understand what we have to do all the time (tuning out sensory distractions, interpreting people's intentions, controlling our obsessional/ritualistic tendencies etc), perhaps they'd realize that rather than being 'mild' (or non-existent, as they may well be thinking), it's merely controlled and worked-around. And then perhaps they would have a better understanding of us when it DOES go wrong and we break down.

(For the record, I'm a 23 year old Aspie with a full time Admin job and am heading off to Uni in September. I present as eccentric but acceptably normal most of the time, and am often told how 'amazing' I am for having a proper job and living a 'normal' life despite my Asperger's. The implication is that if I really was an Aspie, I wouldn't be able to do this. Which, of course, is ridiculous. I wish people in general would step away from the Rain Man portrayal of Autism and realize that we are out there in society and that our condition is real and difficult, but that we find ways to cope and just need a little understanding rather than dismissal.)

Oh my God it's tails O_O

may I pet you?

Um, no?

(Unfortunately one of the things I hate most is being touched by anyone I don't know Lol)

Eh, I haven't posted here since about July last year. But I'm back now, whee.

I just figure you're nicer to pet than Sonic xD

and I understand; I'm the same way!

and welcome back!! :D *offers you a flower instead*

No kidding! You can pet Sonic, but you'll need to have a first aid kit handy

Thanks for the welcome back! *Eats the flower* ... wait, that wasn't what I was supposed to do with it?

I get that a lot, mostly 'cause I can pass as NT fairly well. It makes me wonder if that means that they think of autistics as being people who can't talk, etc., then they're just ignorant. Either way, people tend to assume I'm rude, selfish, lazy, rebellious, etc., which absolutely kills me. What's worse is when they don't take what I need seriously, but I get that mostly from teachers.

It's when you get inside my head, however, that one sees that I'm no where near NT. My meltdowns are very intense, and I certainly think of my interests way too much ;D