Friends & Growing up Aspergers

Good Friends are hard to find

They are even harder to keep.


Growing up Aspergers was hard, not just on me, but on my whole family.
(I need to acknowledge them so they know I AM aware of what I put them through, and even though I could not control it, I am sorry.)

Back to the topic at hand, Friends.

I remember having a couple of friends at primary school when things were innocent and kids didn't care about the fact you were a bit odd.
The important things were deciding who was going to be the pink power ranger and who had the newest my little pony.

As I got older, probably about 8 years old and up it got gradually harder. People noticed I was weird, that I didn't act like other kids, that some things I just didn't understand.
The art of social interaction being one of them. I tried to fit in, but I failed.
Mum even bought me a cabbage doll so the other kids would let me play with them. Apparantly it was the wrong kind of cabbage patch doll and I was outcast even more.
I am pleased to say though, that my daughter now owns the doll and loves it! (just like I did.)

At 12, I was diagnosed with Aspergers Syndrome and Obsessive Compulsive Disorder, something my parents already knew but in the 80's Autistic Spectrum disorders were nowhere near talked about or in the media as much.

I had a couple of friends at intermediate but often said the wrong thing and put myself in the dog box with them. This continued throughout school, eventually I left school at age 15. The bullying was too much to bear and my parents were very concerned for my safety.

Being Aspergers has made it very hard for me to connect with people and have friendships that last. A problem several others like myself find also.

One day, I will have friends and they will get me.

Well, I sure hope so.