In 2005, at age 38, I was diagnosed with Asperger’s Syndrome, now classified under Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) following the DSM-5 update in 2013. While the term is less used today—partly due to Hans Asperger’s controversial history—some still identify with it.
Being autistic means my brain is wired differently from neurotypical (NT) people, who think and process the world in ways considered “typical.” Autistic individuals, or “Auties,” often think more logically, focus deeply on interests, notice fine details, make decisions without emotional bias, and are comfortable with solitude. Many are intellectually gifted, though traditional education systems often fail to support our learning styles.
Autism isn’t so much of a defect as it a different way of perceiving the world. Challenges arise not from within us, but because society is built for NT norms. Social interaction and imagination can be difficult, as those brain areas develop differently, but our strengths are real and valuable.
I’ve learned social rules manually—through observation, logic, and practice—storing them like learned code. This deliberate approach, combined with emotional clarity, often helps me navigate social situations as well as, or better than, neurotypicals. It’s empowering, though frustration can run deep.
My sensory sensitivities have worsened with age—due, I believe, to a far noisier world. “Noisy” includes not just sound, but constant visual and olfactory overload: screens, flashing devices, sirens, public announcements, and the smell of coffee everywhere.
Modern life bombards the senses, and adult expectations—fitting in, office politics, social compliance—add intense pressure. As a child, I had space and quiet, especially in small rural schools. Now, stress and sensory overload feed each other in a relentless cycle, made worse by the lack of understanding around my reactions.
Puppeting Bearsac used to help me override the sensory issues. I didn’t need to use him to communicate through, as many people assumed. I guess it seems odd seeing an adult making a teddy bear talk. People tend to need to make sense of what they find odd or don’t understand.