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Editor's Note: Although this was published in an Oregon
Newspaper, we thought it might benefit a national audience. It
explains how hard it is to be different -- with Asperger Syndrome.
It is written by a high school student.
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When it's hard to fit in
By Bryce Hubbard
http://www.registerguard.com/news/2005/11/07/tw.aspergers.11
07.p1.php?section=20below

20Below News Team
Published: Monday, November 7, 2005

People can become social outcasts for lots of reasons. Such as,
people get labeled as geeks or nerds when they're smart or
good at something.

Doesn't seem fair, but that's reality.

Have you ever heard of someone being a social disaster
because of too much imagination? There is such a thing.

It's called Asperger's syndrome.

This form of high-functioning autism causes social problems
that can't entirely be overcome, because the problem is not with
the individual's personality. It's in the wiring of the brain.

I should know. I suffer from this disorder.

Here's an example of the difference between a neurotypical
(among the 99.9percent of the people on the planet without
Asperger's) and an Asper: Person A and Person B look up and
see the same cloud. Person A sees a bunny rabbit. Person B
has AS and sees a geometric shape, and several other things
as well.

Person A begins to talk about the rabbit, thinking that Person B
sees the same thing. Person B is puzzled and unable to follow
the conversation, because he doesn't see the rabbit.

That's a little idea of what it feels like to have Asperger's.

I say "little" because the only real way to understand Asperger's
is to be afflicted with it. Sometimes, those of us with Asperger's
have other disorders. I have dysgraphia and dyscalculia, which
means I haven't the ability to organize or calculate numbers very
well.

The worst part of having Asperger's is the lack of peer bonding.

When I got to high school, my social disabilities really made
themselves apparent. It was difficult to fit in - not that I wanted to
be a part of a clichéd stereotype of any group (I'm of the opinion
that stereotypes are one of humanity's worst habits).

Often, Aspers are unable to cope with the casual cruelties that
other less understanding students inflict upon them. I know one
easily agitated student with Asperger's who is routinely picked
on by others who just want to set him off.

And these cruel students wouldn't be described as your typical
bullies.

High school is a difficult place for Aspers. I have maybe one or
two good friends with whom I can be myself. The rest of the time
I must put on a social face to at least pretend I fit other students'
definition of normal.

At least that's what I used to do. Now, after years of pretending to
be a neurotypical, I rarely hide how fundamentally different I am.

History has shown that creativity, unusual thinking and
imagination can lead to incredible success.

In fact, people with Asperger's typically have normal to high IQs.
Many significant figures throughout history have been suggested
as possibly having the disorder, including Thomas Jefferson
and Albert Einstein.

For some reason, however, people would rather label others as
social outcasts than appreciate their potential.

I've been told that I started using several words when I was less
than a year old, and I began speaking in sentences shortly after
that. I have heard of many Aspers with extraordinary abilities,
including one who could recall the details of her birth.

But most people don't know anything about or understand
Asperger's, which makes progression through our education
system difficult for those with the disorder. It makes you wonder
how some of us get by. The truth is, some of us don't.

Only through the support of my family and few friends do I
manage in high school. I am constantly reminded of my social
dysfunction when someone asks my opinion on a subject, and I
offer a view that is almost completely different from everyone
else's.

But that doesn't mean I hate being different - not at all. I enjoy it. A
lot of people talk about not wanting to be stereotyped, yet they
seek acceptance by being a part of a larger group.

I know I'm actually a unique individual, unlike so many who claim
to be.

Bryce Hubbard is a senior at South Eugene High.
He can be reached at 20Below@...