This weekend I went camping with the Boy Scouts. I am an active scout and I enjoy the scouting program, but my Aspergers affects my experience.

An example of this is, you may be able to socialize with friends, however I prefer to sit quietly and practice my knots. This doesn't mean that I'm not enjoying myself. It simply means I have no problems with being alone and doing what I enjoy. Another affect of Aspergers on my experience is poor night vision. I find it very difficult to see at night so I usually need two flashlights to feel comfortable. I have often experienced teasing because I need two flashlights and sometimes I'm teased about being afraid of the dark but it's not a matter of fear, it's more being uncomfortable in the dark with my surroundings. My sitting quietly and difficulty with darkness stems from the Aspergers, but I certainly wouldn't consider quitting scouting because of it. I just do what I need to do and sometimes that's OK with people and sometimes it's not. When it's not, I try to explain the situation to them, sometimes that works and other times it doesn't. When my explanation doesn't seem to help, I just stay away from them. Then, it appears as if I am being even more unsociable. This feels like a never ending circle, that leads to allot of frustration. Something I wish I could change. If we could all be more tolerant of each other and be excepting of each others situations we could learn more about each other and what our strengths and needs are.

Never stop doing what you enjoy because of your Aspergers and Autism, instead accept it and know that sometimes, you're going to have to be tolerant of the people who just don't get it.