By Danny Taylor-Smith
One thing in particular that I just can’t stress enough, is that people with Asperger’s Syndrome, just like everybody else, are human beings with faults and flaws. I finished school, I study Film and Television at University, and I even won a Western Australian Screen Academy Award for Best Secondary Film.
What I tend to lack at times is motivation. Usually, most ordinary people turn to friends and family for inspiration, but when you lack the ability to socialise properly, it can cause unnecessary stress and anxiety. Unfortunately, most people see our lack of motivation as laziness, and tend to treat us like we’re troubled children.
The only true crime that every person with Asperger’s Syndrome commits, is wanting to be like everyone else. We learn through imitation, what to say, what to do, and how to do it. This can sadly include the negative aspects of communication. If a father hits his wife, an Aspie child might perceive that as normal, so when he hits a girl at school and gets into trouble, he honestly has no idea what he’s done wrong. And because of that, many people view those with Autism or Aspergers as violent cases that should be locked away. Many times I’ve been judged solely on a person’s misinformation on my condition.
However, yes, I am proud to have Asperger’s Syndrome. It’s taught me to realise a lot about people as a whole. I like to think it’s made me a rather open-minded individual. I see an argument from both sides. It’s enabled me to have viewpoint on life that most have never seen. My aim is to eventually finish my degree, and progress into teaching or journalism.
I want to make a difference, and I’ll go as far as I can go to make it happen.
To parents, your child is just as capable of achieving their dreams as anybody else. The only way that’s not going to happen, is if your child lets the ignorance of others tear them down. As for future relationships, an Aspie has the ability to love and be loyal to a degree that is profound. It may be tough, it may prove stressful, but it’s definitely far from impossible. Support your child, be constructively critical, and give them plenty of space.
*Danny Taylor-Smith is one of the awesome admins at the uber-popular Asperger Syndrome Awareness Facebook page with close to 85,000 fans and growing.
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