ASD
I'd never heard of ASD until an acquaintance mentioned it in relation to my (then) 7 yr old son who, within a year of that conversation, was diagnosed with ASD.

After that initial conversation I obsessively read up as much as I could about the subject and realised that this is what I had been suffering with all my life. I'd always been the weird kid at school, only had two friends total in the whole of my secondary school life - always on the fringes looking in, desperately wanting to be included but not knowing how. The pattern continued throughout my adult life, full of failed relationships and social isolation.

After years of total confusion at a mysterious and seemingly unreachable world containing friends and partners which everyone else seemed to find so easy, and to protect myself from further rejection, I have slowly become a recluse. At 44 years old, the only social interaction I have with with my two teenage children, and via the internet. I don't even bother trying to associate with people any more - the inevitable rejection hurts too much. The attitude of the Gilgamesh and AmorousBadger above is unfortunately very typical of the great unwashed masses, who seem to delight in attempting to humiliate and degrade anyone who doesn't fit in.

Am I a sad, depressed, cynical no-life? Oh yes - without a doubt! Had I known about ASD earlier then perhaps things could have been different, perhaps I could have learned how to fit in, but I've got used to my isolation now and prefer it to the alternative.

My advice? Get as much help as you can, push for it, fight for it - and dont take no for an answer. Oh, and find a professional who knows what theyre talking about. There are several ASD websites and messageboards on the net where you can ask for advice or recommendations. Above all - don't end up like me unless you enjoy your own company above everything else.

Good luck!
(Freakmandu, Mon 30 Jun 2008, 11:01, Reply)