Aspies are like snowflakes in that no two are alike, except with snowflakes one needs to see them magnified in order to spot the variety. The variety of Aspergian breeds (Asperger’s syndrome people) that exist among the neuro-A-typical spectrum (autistics) causes almost all NTs (neurotypical people) to be oblivious over just how different we (Aspies) can be even among our own kind — that on top of our being quite peculiar to the rest of the world!
Adding to complexity, if an Aspie is taking meds, that factor will distort what others notice. Even if an Aspie does not take meds, moods may alter what impression is made. During the lifespan of an Asperger Syndrome person, stages can come and go that don’t match the norm for neurotypicals.
Besides people affecting how an AS child develops, pets and geographical location play an important part in what his or her adult life will be like.
Detecting Aspergers is more complex than most people can imagine.¹ Explaining it may even be harder. Film clips of Aspies do help others to see our distinguishing qualities, but in another way those kinds of images can cause a person to become blind to spotting an Aspie unlike any others they’ve seen recorded.
Juanita Lovett sums it up well in her book Solutions for Adults with Asperger Syndrome, “I am often reminded that, ‘If you’ve seen one Aspie, you’ve seen one Aspie.’”
If what I’ve said so far sounds like it has done nothing but confuse you, then I’ve done my job. The best and biggest projects usually require a big mess before things start falling in place properly.
¹Not looking too conspicuously neuro-A-typical is both a blessing and a curse.
