Categories: response
Date: 21 November 2008 20:45:20
Thank you, Ian and truthSign, for your comments. Number 6 has a library, and I have come to realise that most, if not all, of their factual books about Asperger's Syndrome carry the Jessica Kingsley imprint. Indeed, I was in trouble the last time I was there for keeping one of their books for too long.
It is certainly helpful to be able to read a book written from the perspective of someone who has AS. Although, I'm beginning to wonder whether having AS and being easy to read are two attributes that normally don't belong together. And, of course, there are books written by people who do not themselves have AS, but have extensive knowledge of the subject.
It's a learning curve (I had occasion to remember to-day that someone once said, referring to a different subject, that they were experiencing a learning cliff). For me, in a sense, it's a re-learning curve - or a re-interpreting process - as over and over again I remember something that has happened, and realise the part in that event played by AS.
To-day, in that respect, was a new experience. For the first time since my diagnosis I took part in a conference. And I am truly beginning to appreciate the value of that diagnosis. I really enjoyed myself, recognising my limitations, and working around them where necessary. I didn't feel guilty about not taking part in the main discussions (although I was happy to talk with other people in smaller impromptu groups about what we were learning). I didn't feel desperate when I felt that I was doing the wrong thing socially.
Progess, hopefully ...