What is life like for an adult with autism or Asperger's?

Answer 1

I have aspergers so here is my opinion. Life will be difficult to a degree. You will run into some people who think that autism is a reason for them to make fun of you. Moreover, you will run into some people almost everywhere who treat you as inferior to them despite the fact you are still a human being. Also you will be an outcast to society. That doesn't mean you won't make friends, but the few friends you will make will accept you despite who you are. Family and friends will be among the few things that will keep you going in life, alongside your interests. At times you will feel apart and distant from the world, possibly so much that you would rather stay separated from everyone else than have to join and deal with society, when you are already an outcast. Having a wife and kids will probably not ever happen, as there are very few women out there who would go out with someone who is autistic. Furthermore, even if you are nice to everyone, you may still run into people who hate you because of what you are. However, you will still find enjoyment in life, as your family and friends shall ease your loneliness and your interests will help you deal with life. Life is harder for an autistic person for many reasons, as even a person with a low form of autism such as aspergers will have trouble communicating with peers and may do things when they are young that will cause them to be even more distanced from society later in life. This doesn't change the fact that autistic people shouldn't be allowed some joy and friends. Even the most autistic person has the right to finding happiness in life and although life is harder for a person with autism that doesn't stop autistic people from finding goodness in the world or from finding reasons to keep living, even when they are ridiculed many places they go.

Answer 2

I'm 13 year old girl with Aspergers Syndrome.

I was finally diagnosed last year. For me, autism is part of who I am and it was a relief to identify that section of me. I have a lot of the same confusions that a non-autistic girl might have. There's the same pressures, the same releases. In maths, some people have different methods for the same calculation, but they all come to the correct answer. It's a lot like that. I don't know if I can speak for autistic boys, since the way we handle things differs a lot between the sexes both within and without the autistic spectrum.

It can be tough, but it's something that I grow up with. It's something I use. In the US there is a charity for autism that I won't name, but it aims to cure autism, which is something that I find slightly horrifying. Autism is many things, but it isn't an affliction, it's an asset.

My life is confusing, I like to add some drama here and there. I'm eccentric, random. I have frequent mood swings, usually set off by certain foods. My behaviour/mood can be at both extremes (eg: tantrum to teachers pet). Not that I'm completely crazy, most people would agree that I'm reasonably peaceful, very well behaved and friendly to all. It's a life which you might not want if it wasn't yours. But it's mine, both mentally and physically: I would never give it up.

And that is the opinion of a teen with autism. I'm sure you can find other, more specific answers, but that's my account.

Answer 3

Different for every person. But, pretty good, in my case.