I Am No Expert

You all heard about how I live with ASD. Some of you are probably wondering why I use two terms to describe myself. ASD, and Aspergers.
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I am no ASD expert, but I do live with ASD (also known as Aspergers) and I have done more than an enough research over the last 5 years to know what I am talking about from my perspective and how it has influenced me.
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5 years ago, I started doing my own research because I always knew I was different.
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I sought of worked it out along the way, from my behaviours like; finding it super difficult to relate to others that were my age, not being able to put my feet on the cement, wearing socks 24/7 7 days a week for years on end and obsessing in particular and special interests my age or my gender would find “normal.” Or should I say socially appropriate?
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I originally was under the impression that I had ADD (Attention deficit disorder) and I obsessively researched for about a whole year of my life about ADD, I did online quizzes and tests (always get a doctors diagnosis by the way)
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One day sitting in class I had an awakening and finally, due to years of research, I realised that in fact, I lived with Asperger’s.
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After further research and taking online quizzes, I finally built up 4 years worth of courage to tell my mother what I thought. My mum agreed that I was not like other people and it was on a long drive to my Nan’s house for Easter, that my mum shared the exciting news that she had booked me in for a diagnosis of ASD.
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My dad shared with me how he knew I was on the spectrum since I was 3 when I colour coded my aunties entire bookshelf and straightened all the books.
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I am now ready to be open about this topic and let the whole world know about my ASD and how i see it as a blessing and not a “burden.”
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So please, get the popcorn, sit back, sip on your ideas drink and let me share with you how I see the everyday world, and more of an insight to Aspergers.
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Asperger’s is a very complex part of my life, my favourite part but a complex part.
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I am now going to explain why
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Scientists have proven through research, that the average brain of a neurotypical human has up to about 60 000 to 80 000 thoughts a day.
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Whilst the average Aspie brain has up to about 130 000 to 150 000 thoughts a day.
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I know! That’s a lot of thoughts!!! A lot of stressing, a lot of overthinking but most of all, a lot of imagination.
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Before I go any further, I want to answer a question that a lot of people have been asking me……… What does ASD stand for?
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ASD stands for Autism Spectrum Disorder. (I will explain more about this in future blogs)
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In my first blog, I shared with you a little bit about special interests. I want to share with you how they impact my life positively and negatively.
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I am assuming that neurotypical people have a thought, they obsess about it for maybe 5-10minutes, and then they move on and think about something else. But remember I am no expert. Every single person is unique.
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Right now I want you to think about something that you like or find comfort in, say sport, a certain movie. Once you have thought about that interest of yours, imagine that that is all you think about for a whole WEEK and MONTHS and MORE sometimes!
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Imagine yourself thinking about that on every angle possible, obsessing over it, something so small and pointless like your favourite tv show.
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That is what I face on a daily basis. I find it extremely hard to separate my imagination from my reality.
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I am academically doing well in school, I do find it challenging, however, to try and focus because I get stuck wanting to memorize the words from my favourite movie, to trying to listen to what subject I am taking.
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Sometimes I feel like I am 24/7 7 days a week in another universe. Because of this I tend to forget things and appear rude and that I am not listening to you when I really am trying my best.
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I will share with you what my special interest is, and please don’t judge me, I know most of you won’t like what I like, wait for it… reality TV and soap operas.
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Now you can see why I say my Asperger’s is a very complex part of my life, a great part but complex. Those special interests can get a hold.
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To end on an interesting and quite positive note, I want to share with you what Asperger’s means for me, and how I have chosen to substitute it into my life in a positive manner.
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For me, knowing my Asperger’s quirks helps me understand myself better and truly like myself better. I feel a whole lot better knowing I’m not crazy, and that everything I do Ian just to cope with anxiety and stress. I feel more confident in myself now knowing that I have a better grip on what I need to do to help myself in certain social and learning environments.
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From being able to cope with my Asperger’s quite positively and understand and accept it more I am able to be more self-confident.
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I don’t ever want to put myself in a box or label myself BUT, it is a part of me owning that part of me has a superpower. Knowing what I live with helps me make the most of what God has given me. I love my Amazing ASD life!
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Lastly, if you are in a place right now where you are self-doubting yourself, you just need to accept that you are unique and that there is no one else on planet earth that is YOUER than you. I would have laughed if anyone were to come up to me in year 7 and say that I was going to start my very own blog. In Year 7 my wheels fell off academically and I was not feeling like I was coping at all. Things are different now and how a year like that changed me for the better!
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With that, I conclude my blog for this week. I hope this blog has given you more of an insight of what ASD and Asperger’s people face in there everyday life. If you yourself is an Aspie, or someone close to you is an Aspie, I hope this blog has helped you find comfort in yourself and why you are the way you are.
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Please type your special interests in the comments section. I would love to know them.
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Please stay tuned for BLOG 3- My dreams and aspirations.
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And remember, if you have any kind of difference that separates you from other people, OWN IT!
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Signing off, Isaac