Autism and Asperger's: What is it? My perspective.

Today is World Autism Awareness day, and back in 1996 at the age of 10, I was put on that spectrum by a psychiatrist, diagnosed with Asperger Syndrome.

In recent times, I have been wondering what Asperger Syndrome really is. I mean really!

Throughout my life, I have had Autism and Asperger Syndrome be described as a whole variety of things. A mental illness, a learning disability, a learning difficulty, a mental health issue, a neurological disorder, a "Mind-blindness" and even a disease!

There are so many terms that Autism and Asperger Syndrome are given and virtually all of these terms come from some so-called "professional". So what is Autism and Asperger Syndrome. I should also mention at this point that both Autism and Asperger Syndrome are collectively called Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASDs) although, how "disordered" are ASD people exactly? 

So what do I think of these terms? Well, I am going to give an answer to this question that is going to be a lot simpler than the shortlist above.

To me, Autism and Asperger Syndrome are nothing more that a difference in the way people think and perceive things. The only reason any term ever exists is because someone sees something different in someone or something.

To me, that's what Asperger's really is. A difference! If the world was better able to accept the differences in people than we wouldn't need a lot of these terms that exist today.

As far as my own life is concerned, "Asperger Syndrome" is just a term for others to understand me and people like me better. As far as I am concerned, I am just another human being. I do not need to give myself any kind of label because as far as I am concerned, I am just me! I am just good old Richard!

If the world learned to understand that different people are just different and not better or worse than our world will be a much better place and our lives will be a lot more enriching.

Autistic people are just different. That's It! Once you realise that you don't have to create anymore stories about what an ASD person is.

Happy April everyone and remember, embrace difference!