37 Comments

David, thank you for sharing your kind thoughts, experiences, and support for those who may have not only the autism spectrum, but also any kinds of challenges. You also help those who haven't known such hardships even exist. You are a great educator and a wonderful person to help us. I am in Japan traveling at this moment, so often my responses are delayed. I have learned a great deal when I attended a show by Jenn Freedman, who is a dancer and choreographer and has diagnosed with Asperger three years ago. She performed and educated the audience through her production using music, video footage and her own dance of how she has felt in the world of "ordinary" since she was a little girl. Empathy, kindness, and further actions come from what we truly understand. So, thank you for being you, David. Love to you!

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Very informative and helpful, David. Is your book on Amazon?

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David, this is a wonderfully thoughtful and candid piece. There are so many good lines and wonderful analogies. Here's one line I liked:

Give people with Asperger's the tools and the support they need to navigate a strange world they did not create.

You are 100% right that we need to do a better job of meeting neurodivergent people where they are and not making them conform to the way we might see things. You bring a ton of creativity and intelligence to our world, so you would be exhibit A of what neurodivergent people can offer.

btw, at least in the States, I've been coached to not use "Aspergers," which has some very negative associations and I think either originated or was used by Germany at some bad point in time.

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Nice article. While I haven't been diagnosed with Asperger's, I skew heavily to that spectrum. I can definitely relate to your challenges.

Take care

Cheers

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Beautiful human with unique super powers💕

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♥Thank you for the love♥

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I appreciate you sharing your experiences and reality, David--thanks. You are a community-guy, to my mind. Always grateful for your supportive approach!

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Thank you for this insight, David. It really helps me to understand the challenges that you face.

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A very good read, David. I know someone with Asperger's and it is as you say. He's had a hard time of it at times, but seems to have found his way. He sees things differently. Has a steady job. Very bright and friendly. Good on you in finding your way through.

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♥Just remember your are the superhero with special powers♥

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Thanks for loving the comment, we all have unique superpowers💕

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I found your article very relatable, David. As someone on the spectrum, social media obligations come with difficulty for me as well. My nine-year-old daughter was born three months prematurely and has had to play neurological catch-up. Her progress gives me hope.

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I learned a lot about Asperger's today - you explained it clearly and in depth so ppl who are not familiar could better understand and empathize - I see the numerous challenges you may be facing and the fact that it is an invisible disability just adds to it all - I appreciate you for your amazing

talent as a writer and also for being wonderful supporter! 💙

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Hello fellow Autist! I don’t have the ASD type formerly known as Asperger’s, I’m on a different point in the spectrum... or however you’re supposed to say all that. Anyway, great article! I applaud you for being so open, it isn’t easy.

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Thanks for opening a new window for me.

Be well.

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HI David! It is a great experience and God given gift to meet the challenges happens in reality!

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Insightful stuff. As the father of an autistic child this really hit home. With our first daughter we tried (sadly) the same unsuccessful authoritarian approach to raising her that our parents used on us. We needed a few minutes to see that that approach was utterly useless with our autistic child*

*–I hate calling her that–there must be some way around it. I understand we must accept all diversity: her autism is like blond hair or purple eyes for me, but if we call her "autistic," or others "black," or still others "fat," aren't we putting these people in boxes?

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