Saying you “have” something implies that it’s temporary and undesirable. Asperger’s isn’t like that. You’ve been Aspergian as long as you can remember, and you’ll be that way all your life. It’s a way of being, not a disease.

We would also like to introduce you to Dave Angel, author and founder of Parenting Asperger’s Community. He has dedicated his life to working with Aspergian children and their parents. There is a  wealth of information on his site for both those who are familiar with and those who would like to learn more about Asperger’s. This is what Dave says relative to Robison’s quote, answering the question “What Is Asperger’s?” Like Robison, Angel believes that all the labels that Aspergians are identified with are not helpful.

Of certain characteristics, qualities and behaviors.

Lumps people together (even though they’re all unique). Worse . . . it labels.
Asperger’s SYNDROME
Autism Spectrum DISORDER
For (the many) ignorant even . . . Asperger’s DISEASE
Negative words.
Lead to negative perceptions.
These medical terms go hand in hand with “cure”.
And of course “cure” implies sickness – illness – something to be rid off!

Wrong. Wrong. Wrong.
Asperger’s is a different way of viewing the world.
A differently wired brain.
DIFFERENT . . . Not better . . . Not worse . . . DIFFERENT.

And let’s be honest if we lived in a world where eye contact, gossip and a need to follow fashion were not so prevalent, a lot
of the so-called ‘problems’ of Asperger’s would disappear overnight.