Hey folks, I'm 36 years old and have AS. Just thought I would introduce myself and talk about this condition and how it has impacted my life.
I suppose I've been an odd bird ever since I was a little child. It manifested itself early on with me being fascinated by things most children are not concerned with. Just routine, everyday stuff that most people don't even notice I would just go nuts over padlocks, rubber boots, commercial logos, farm machinery, lawn and garden equipment; those are the ones I can remember. Also I've been a very picky eater since I was little. Certain categories of food I will not eat because they just look and smell absolutely disgusting.
As I got older some new quirks and strengths emerged. I was able to read and write from the get go in first grade. I love History and would read it for entertainment. I am terrible at math and cant really understand anything beyond about a third grade level. I didn't place much value on personal friendships although I did have playmates. Many of my recess periods were spent in the library looking at books, I thought playground activities got boring pretty fast.
In junior high and high school my AS began to conflict pretty heavily with the desire for romance and social status. For the first time in my life I began to pay attention to my clothes, hair, and music. I desperately wanted a girlfriend but was totally clueless about how to get one. I would develop these huge crushes on specific girls that would last for weeks at a time. I was pretty brash and loud about the object of my affection. Needless to say the girls weren't impressed.
My high school years were a complete waste, to say the least. I had convinced myself that I was a nobody if I wasn't popular and running with a crowd. I had a fair number of acquaintances I hung out with but, in retrospect, very few of those were sincere friendships. Some of those people were quite toxic and planted distinctly un-Christian ideas in my mind. I joined them in their horrid activities, acquired a criminal record, and had to change high schools twice. By the prevenient Grace of God I actually graduated on time and was able to get away from that awful environment. To this day I am not on Facebook or other social media, I absolutely do not want to see anyone from that time ever again.
Since that time I have managed to become a fairly successful adult. From my sophomore year of college until I got married I worked full time and always lived on my own. I earned a B.A. and M.A. in History from two respected universities. The first ten years of my work life I worked as a car mechanic. Cars and mechanical things have always been one of my AS obsessions. I couldn't work fast enough to earn a really good living at it but I always supported myself. It is for sure that I never was really a part of the rough and tumble party all night/work all day blue collar culture. My coworkers always expressed amazement that I didn't go to strip clubs. When I was 25 I started going to church again and have done so ever since.
When I was 29 I decided I was sick of working on cars and got a nice office job. In my new line of work I became known as the quiet guy. I had learned by this time that life is alot better when I keep my mouth shut and I still practice this today. I also met a great young lady who is a school psychologist (just what I need, right?) and we started going out. She is the only woman that ever stuck with me for more than three months. She is so good to me I don't know how I could express it here. When I was 32 we got married and have been ever since.
So I suppose there is hope for being an AS person in a non-AS world. I just try to use my strengths whenever possible, and am cautious to avoid situations where my AS characteristics would cause problems. I also know that the more I practice holy living the better my life is. Sorry for such a long post but I just felt compelled to share. Feel free to holler at me!
I suppose I've been an odd bird ever since I was a little child. It manifested itself early on with me being fascinated by things most children are not concerned with. Just routine, everyday stuff that most people don't even notice I would just go nuts over padlocks, rubber boots, commercial logos, farm machinery, lawn and garden equipment; those are the ones I can remember. Also I've been a very picky eater since I was little. Certain categories of food I will not eat because they just look and smell absolutely disgusting.
As I got older some new quirks and strengths emerged. I was able to read and write from the get go in first grade. I love History and would read it for entertainment. I am terrible at math and cant really understand anything beyond about a third grade level. I didn't place much value on personal friendships although I did have playmates. Many of my recess periods were spent in the library looking at books, I thought playground activities got boring pretty fast.
In junior high and high school my AS began to conflict pretty heavily with the desire for romance and social status. For the first time in my life I began to pay attention to my clothes, hair, and music. I desperately wanted a girlfriend but was totally clueless about how to get one. I would develop these huge crushes on specific girls that would last for weeks at a time. I was pretty brash and loud about the object of my affection. Needless to say the girls weren't impressed.
My high school years were a complete waste, to say the least. I had convinced myself that I was a nobody if I wasn't popular and running with a crowd. I had a fair number of acquaintances I hung out with but, in retrospect, very few of those were sincere friendships. Some of those people were quite toxic and planted distinctly un-Christian ideas in my mind. I joined them in their horrid activities, acquired a criminal record, and had to change high schools twice. By the prevenient Grace of God I actually graduated on time and was able to get away from that awful environment. To this day I am not on Facebook or other social media, I absolutely do not want to see anyone from that time ever again.
Since that time I have managed to become a fairly successful adult. From my sophomore year of college until I got married I worked full time and always lived on my own. I earned a B.A. and M.A. in History from two respected universities. The first ten years of my work life I worked as a car mechanic. Cars and mechanical things have always been one of my AS obsessions. I couldn't work fast enough to earn a really good living at it but I always supported myself. It is for sure that I never was really a part of the rough and tumble party all night/work all day blue collar culture. My coworkers always expressed amazement that I didn't go to strip clubs. When I was 25 I started going to church again and have done so ever since.
When I was 29 I decided I was sick of working on cars and got a nice office job. In my new line of work I became known as the quiet guy. I had learned by this time that life is alot better when I keep my mouth shut and I still practice this today. I also met a great young lady who is a school psychologist (just what I need, right?) and we started going out. She is the only woman that ever stuck with me for more than three months. She is so good to me I don't know how I could express it here. When I was 32 we got married and have been ever since.
So I suppose there is hope for being an AS person in a non-AS world. I just try to use my strengths whenever possible, and am cautious to avoid situations where my AS characteristics would cause problems. I also know that the more I practice holy living the better my life is. Sorry for such a long post but I just felt compelled to share. Feel free to holler at me!
