Knowing autism is knowing me

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By AMANDA PHILLIPS, Manheim Central

I believe in autism awareness.
More specifically, I believe in high-functioning autism understanding.

As a 15-year-old girl diagnosed with a form of high-functioning autism called Asperger's syndrome, I have never fit in with my peers.

It wasn't until sixth grade that I realized this, though.

That was the year I started memorizing digits of pi, random trivia facts and how to spell long words:
http://articles.lancasteronline.com/local/4/219930

pretty much me too. I have no non autistic windows to peer through. And I am happy at this.

However, we may all be the same, but we are all so different within the basic concept. Never forget you are you.

I am fifty four and female.

Same here.

I was diagnosed with High-Functioning Autism in 7th grade.

But at that time I hated math, but that was only because I had the meanest teacher on earth.

It's a little strange how this ended up because I was diagnosed when I was 12 with high functioning autism.

I still hate math because I am dyscalculic.

hmm. I learned about my asperger's at 25, and I wish I had known it earlier. I wish my parents had known.
I could have chosen a path less built on resisting the NT-world, or trying to adapt, and find a niche for myself, knowiing that the NT world is not something I'm built to live in. (not that I didn't feel it, but people made me believe it was my fault)

While I had known the term, Asperger's, for years, I had no idea that it applied to me till my daughter had been diagnosed with another form of autism, PDD-NOS, when after reading up on high functioning autism, recognized a great deal of my self. Soon after came an official diagnosis. I had always had NT friends (and a few who I have since come to believe are also Aspies), and so through trial and error, along with scolding and ridicule, I saw how I was "supposed to behave," even though I remained the weirdo of my clique. Incidentally, I couldn't do higher math even if my life depended on it!

Thank you for posting this excellent thread. However, it doesn't belong in News & Current Events,so need to move it to General Autism Discussion.

I was diagnosed with High Functioning Autism at the age of 5. I didn't know until three nights after my 15th Birthday. It took me a couple of years to accept the fact that I'm on the spectrum. I like to celebrate my autism these days, and I do it the most through my crafts, by making various toys in a variety of colours.

Thanks for the link. For some reason the page isn't loading, but I'm curious to read the article. I live a few towns over from Manheim.