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My story is identical. Sure I had issues, but I only had one mind with one experience, so I never knew that other people's though processes were different from mine. There was nothing to compare it to.

I knew I was brainy and weird and bigtime socially awkward, but that's just who I was.

I now have a son who was diagnosed with autism, and it is scary to see how similar he operates compared to how I was at his age. The thing that bothers me most is that I can see how desperately he wants to interact with other kids - normal kids - but he just doesn't know how to go about doing it. The other kids can sense it right away that he does not know 'the rules' so they treat him accordingly.

I work with Special Ed kids, some of whom who are fully included in school. Another benefit of early diagnosis is that we work with students on how to get along socially with their peers.

I've worked with some students from Kindergarten through 5th grade and am still amazed at far they came, socially.

On the other hand, I have a niece whose mom and grandmother denied she had any problems. She never got any help even though the school tried. I always suspected she has Asperger's but I was ignored. Now, this young lady is 20 years old and never had a job. She can't interview as she's so uncomfortable talking and communicating with others. It's very sad when I know what can be done.