Most people automatically think I’m making up an excuse for things when I tell them I have Asperger’s Syndrome. The first question asked is, “How do you know you’ve got that disease?” That right there tells me I’m up for a challenge. I feel like telling them, “You’re the one with the disease. It’s called arrogant ignorance.” Why would I think such an unfriendly response as that? Well, let me tell you . . .
For starters, just because the word “syndrome” is used does not imply illness. One meaning of syndrome is, “a complex of concurrent things.” For example, Every word has a syndrome of meanings. Does that example mean then every word is diseased? Is there a better word to describe Aspergers than by tacking on Syndrome after it? If I’m sick, then what is making me ill is having to explain myself to everyone my entire life because they don’t understand me but yet they have no problem with judging me wrongly!
If that’s not bad enough, too many people have spread around the term Asperger’s Syndrome Disorder! That’s the equivalent of saying someone has Black-skinned Syndrome Disorder or Jewish Syndrome Disorder! Since when does anyone have the right to define what is in order versus disorder?!?! The only disorder there really is, is sin!
Then the next irritation is comes from the how do I know part! 1954, the year I was born, isn’t quite what you’d call yesterday. Why can’t people give me some credit to know myself by now? That’s a lot of years experience living life differently than typical people do. I won’t get into explaining the details of how so right here (too many; maybe it takes me writing a book?).
The socially correct reaction (and mind you, Aspies are labeled as being socially incorrect beings) that a neurotypical person should have when someone is thoughtful enough to educate her (or him) is to respond by saying, “I would like to become better acquainted with you, so please explain to me what the traits are in this syndrome of Aspergers and why they are there.” Doesn’t that sound polite? Then why is it that I almost never hear that?!?!
