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Asperger’s Syndrome, Disability or Different Ability?


© A.J. Mahari
Page 2

Nov 27, 2004


other than just having AS. It depends upon willingness to accept difference, to think outside of the NT-box, and whether or not one focuses on the down side or the up side.

Having Asperger's offers wonderful opportunities to take in all kinds of information of special interest, to remember most things very well, to think way outside the box and to be quite unique in many ways. The very high intelligence that is seen in most with AS is testament to an largely untapped gold mine of resources, talents and strengths.

Each Aspie adult, when being challenged and struggling in some areas of socializing, communicating, relating or what have you must remember that with the deficits and challenges come also the gifts and blessings.

If you have AS and/or if you have someone in your life you love and/or care about who has AS, you will be so surprised what joy can be found in all of the differences when you focus on the gifts and the blessings.

Everyone has different abilities. Everyone has weaknesses and challenges in life. Everyone has strengths. Adults with Asperger's Syndrome, while different in some ways, aren't entirely different.

What the question really boils down to when asking if AS is a disability or more about a different ability is whether or not you think there is only one way to communicate, to socialize, to relate or to desire to relate to the world. It depends upon your perspective and whether or not you are open-minded enough to those who live outside of the box.

Living with Asperger's Syndrome, and mainly living outside of the NT box myself, I have to say that while there have been times I've allowed myself to be described as disabled or less able that was when I compared myself to others in a black and white way.

When I accept that I am different in certain areas of life and relating than most and don't judge that as good or bad I find a lot of peace and joy inside of myself for just being who I am and how I am. There is an inherent freedom in AS that I am learning to celebrate more and more. While there is some pain and frustration at times I'm sure this is the case in the average ebb and flow of anyone's life, AS or not.

Each of us has unique ability that although at times applied differently, when accepted, understood and valued can mean the difference between a life in pursuit of ability or a life lost to alienation, isolation and the

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Here's the follow-up discussion on this article: View all related messages
3.   Jan 22, 2005 6:54 PM
In response to Response to Red re grandson's writing/Disability or Different A posted by ajmm:

AJ,

Sorry I was so long rep ...

-- posted by Red
2.   Jan 16, 2005 9:56 AM
Hi Red,

Thanks for your support here and all you've shared about your interest in AS and your grandson.

I read his article with great interest. He is very good with words and very good at expres ...

-- posted by ajmm
1.   Nov 28, 2004 5:40 PM
A.J.

I especially like the following statement:

Each of us has unique ability that although at times applied differently, when accepted, understood and valued ...

I do know 2 adults wi ...

-- posted by Red



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