When I say, “Look, I have Asperger’s Syndrome, a form of Autism- “
these are the top ten... interesting responses I have had people actually say to my face:
10. “Maybe your mother didn’t hold you enough as a child/ was on drugs/ gave you the wrong vaccines!”
My mother is a loving and self sacrificing saint of a woman who has never touched any illicit substance in her life, and is the main reason behind my success in life in spite of my disability. Insult her again and I will break your face. You get one warning.
9. “Well, then you can still understand that I don’t appreciate you being Smart with me in front of the class. Next time, Detention!”
I got punished a lot in school for Being Smart, almost always without that ever being my intent.
8. “Oh, my step sister’s niece’s kid has that. Yeah, I know about it.”
Then you didn’t know that Autism is a Spectrum disorder and no two cases are alike save in basic types.
7. “I saw an episode of Oprah with an autistic kid, she was so sweet!”
Thank you for sharing?
6. “You know, It’s not funny to diagnose yourself for attention when there are *real* special needs people out there.”
An Electro-Encephalogram, several behavioral psychologists, and a whole battery of tests I’ve been doing since I was a kid say I am Autistic. I guess I am not Real special needs. Someday, when I am a velveteen rabbit loved by a child, I shall be Real...
5. “You know, I hear they have these new medications for that!”
Let’s see: Ritalin, Dexedrine, Concerta, Strattera, Wellbutrin, Adderall, Effexor, Effexor XR? Because I’ve tested them all. Thanks for trying to help but I have been living like this for several years- it’s not a new thing.
4. “No, I’ve SEEN Autism, and you don’t have it.”
Well, that was the fastest diagnostic exam battery I’ve ever seen, Dr. what was it now?
3. “Well that’s no excuse for your Attitude. Detention.”
Attitude I wasn’t exhibiting- I did actually want to know the answer to my question, Sir. That was why I asked, Sir. What? Another detention for being sarcastic? But I wasn’t-! Yes, Sir. I know where detentions are held, I’ll be on my way now. Thank you, Sir.
2. “Whoa, I never would have guessed! You’re so well adjusted!”
Mostly I’m a good actor and I remember how to pretend, what not to do, and how to speak in every situation. I get up, I go into public and the Act turns on.
1. “But you’re so normal!”
Ah, my favorite. Should I twitch a bit? Would that fit your perception better? Or by normal did you mean eloquent and clever? I am, aren’t I? Did you know some people with disabilities CAN actually have a normal or high IQ? In fact for Asperger’s an average or higher-than-average IQ was part of the diagnostic criteria. I think, I use big words, I go to college, I sometimes work public jobs, I date (occasionally) and I don't have any physical signs of being "high functioning" autistic because there aren't any! I just have a different brain.
these are the top ten... interesting responses I have had people actually say to my face:
10. “Maybe your mother didn’t hold you enough as a child/ was on drugs/ gave you the wrong vaccines!”
My mother is a loving and self sacrificing saint of a woman who has never touched any illicit substance in her life, and is the main reason behind my success in life in spite of my disability. Insult her again and I will break your face. You get one warning.
9. “Well, then you can still understand that I don’t appreciate you being Smart with me in front of the class. Next time, Detention!”
I got punished a lot in school for Being Smart, almost always without that ever being my intent.
8. “Oh, my step sister’s niece’s kid has that. Yeah, I know about it.”
Then you didn’t know that Autism is a Spectrum disorder and no two cases are alike save in basic types.
7. “I saw an episode of Oprah with an autistic kid, she was so sweet!”
Thank you for sharing?
6. “You know, It’s not funny to diagnose yourself for attention when there are *real* special needs people out there.”
An Electro-Encephalogram, several behavioral psychologists, and a whole battery of tests I’ve been doing since I was a kid say I am Autistic. I guess I am not Real special needs. Someday, when I am a velveteen rabbit loved by a child, I shall be Real...
5. “You know, I hear they have these new medications for that!”
Let’s see: Ritalin, Dexedrine, Concerta, Strattera, Wellbutrin, Adderall, Effexor, Effexor XR? Because I’ve tested them all. Thanks for trying to help but I have been living like this for several years- it’s not a new thing.
4. “No, I’ve SEEN Autism, and you don’t have it.”
Well, that was the fastest diagnostic exam battery I’ve ever seen, Dr. what was it now?
3. “Well that’s no excuse for your Attitude. Detention.”
Attitude I wasn’t exhibiting- I did actually want to know the answer to my question, Sir. That was why I asked, Sir. What? Another detention for being sarcastic? But I wasn’t-! Yes, Sir. I know where detentions are held, I’ll be on my way now. Thank you, Sir.
2. “Whoa, I never would have guessed! You’re so well adjusted!”
Mostly I’m a good actor and I remember how to pretend, what not to do, and how to speak in every situation. I get up, I go into public and the Act turns on.
1. “But you’re so normal!”
Ah, my favorite. Should I twitch a bit? Would that fit your perception better? Or by normal did you mean eloquent and clever? I am, aren’t I? Did you know some people with disabilities CAN actually have a normal or high IQ? In fact for Asperger’s an average or higher-than-average IQ was part of the diagnostic criteria. I think, I use big words, I go to college, I sometimes work public jobs, I date (occasionally) and I don't have any physical signs of being "high functioning" autistic because there aren't any! I just have a different brain.
