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What People Don't See About My Asperger's Syndrome

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When people look at me, they don’t know what’s hidden behind my face. They don’t know I have Asperger’s, and they don’t know this makes me feel different. This diagnosis is real, and for me, it’s recent. I feel like the world should know I’m still the same person I was before. I see things differently than most. At least that’s part of Asperger’s. I don’t even know if this diagnosis is correct. Even if it is, I want the world to see me as me. Even with this correct/incorrect diagnosis.

I have Asperger’s. I am not, and will never be, Asperger’s. I have a disorder of the mind; I am not different just because of that.

To all those with this disorder, and to all those reading this without this disorder, just know I am still me. It’s just a label. Nothing more, nothing less. It’s a way for the doctors to know exactly what meds to give. It’s not existing to be judged. Of course, none of us can help judging. But, please, don’t think of me differently just because I wear something called Asperger’s.

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Thinkstock photo by Goodshoot.

Originally published: September 12, 2017
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