I wasn’t even thinking about writing on or talking about my story until I arrived in Minnesota. Here’s one reason that changed: “You’re not really helping anyone if you become some sort of activist or motivational speaker.” I wasn’t sure how to respond. A professor was suggesting I not tell…
Category: General
As I compile my notes for essays and a book, I realize how much easier it is to be considered “different” your entire life versus a late-in-life diagnosis of Asperger’s Syndrome (AS) or High-Functioning Autism (HFA). The more I read about and communicate with AS students and adults, the more…
Probably the most difficult decision anyone with a developmental disorder can make is who to tell and how. I certainly do not have a good answer for either question, since I resist the labels experts have offered. There are benefits to disclosure, based on the experiences of others. First, you…
[Note: First Blogger post to The Autistic Me, from 2007] When I was diagnosed as autistic in 2006, I was 37 years old. I’m still struggling to make sense of the diagnosis, wondering what it explains and what it does not explain. More importantly, I am wondering if I can…