"Autism is not a puzzle, nor a disease. Autism is a challenge but certainly not a devastating one. Autism is about having a pure heart and being very sensitive...It is about finding a way to survive in an overwhelming, confusing world...It is about developing differently, in a different pace and with different leaps. Autistic beings develop and bloom if their spirits, talents and self-esteem are not destroyed by bullies, prejudice, 'doggie-training', and being forced to be 'normal'. ---Trisha Van Verkel
Asperger Syndrome is a variation in neurodevelopment. It is often underdiagnosed. Adults with AS may face challenges when living, working or socializing with neurotypical persons. The adult with AS is often misunderstood by neurotypical peers. Some adults with AS have learned to “pass as normal” in order to function in relation to other people. There are wide variations in the personalities of adults with AS as there are with neurotypicals. For example, some are social butterflies seeking connection and friendship, others may be described as loners having apparently minimal human contact.
Many adults with AS have no or minimal psychological distress. Many are more likely to be calm and content than neurotypicals. In my experience, most of the psychological distress experienced by adults with AS occurs secondary to contact with another person or entity (agency, institution). An example of this is misinterpretation of another person’s motives then causing paranoia. Some adults with AS avoid social interactions due to fear of rejection.