Well, I'm 21 years old going on 22 about 13 days from now. I'm pretty much a guy who has never been truly understood and usually being forced to try and fit into a world full of rules and logics that just doesn't click in my mind. Seeing the stuff here on this website so far, I wish I found out about it earlier in life, because ever since I was eighteen, I was lost. I've always been told to "go out and get a job" or "do something with your life", but to me, it seemed like they always wanted me to do that THEIR way and they wouldn't have it my way, and I've felt that nobody understood me as much as they "claimed" to, because I never understood how a normal functioning person's mindset works compared to that of a person's mindset with autism or aspergers. I hope to be a fine member of the community here, and I hope this site gives me the courage to keep going where my own core family usually failed simply because they didn't think "outside" the box. Don't get me wrong, I love them, but I feel like most of the time, they don't even try to get my side of the story.

My Dad always pointed out to me that if I found something I could stand to do that paid decently then I could have the freedom to live my way. My own place, with the type of stuff inside that suited ME, not some convention. Instead of the usual furniture, I have a LOT of book cases and books. I happen to love books, and every time I have found something to study that made me happy, I have collected books on that subject and given them their own bookcase. If it had been rocks instead of books I probably would have chosen drawer units where I could lay out the specimens and enjoy them. Sometimes learning to conform gets you the freedom NOT to conform in meaningful ways. My place is MY place and if it bothers NT's to be in my space, well, they can find their own way to the door--bye!! I'm almost 50 and anybody who cannot understand me is not invited to my space. Friends who do understand are welcome-- that is the power of the job. Freedom to decide who gets to come in MY place. It gets better. It took YEARS but I have friends who understand and even an aspie hubby who really gets me. If I'd known at 22 how much fun my own place could be, I'd have gone for bookkeeping and gotten a better paying job sooner. Don't lose hope, it is possible to find people who understand better, and to make a space where it is OK to be totally yourself.