How Do I Explain Aspergers in Layman's Terms?
Hi everybody, I'm new. Well, actually, I'm Hannah, but I haven't posted here so... yeah. That's what I meant.
I wanted to ask some advice. I'm riddled with Asperger's traits, and in the process of getting a diagnosis. I have one friend I've managed to hang on to, and I recently came clean about the distinct possibility I have AS. As is my custom, it took me about two days of mentally running through the conversation to realize I'd given her the impression I had a mental illness, instead of just a mental difference. It might not be that big of a discrepancy to some, but it is to me. Whatever this is can't be fixed, and I wouldn't want it to be.
I'm the type of person that internalizes everything, and I have two settings, completely calm and teary wailing mess. Also, I'm not the best at verbalization, and even worse at confrontation. How would it be best for me to explain what AS is? I thought printing out some pages from Asperger's websites would work, but the information is so often wrong, contradictory, or too technical to easily read... I'm pretty sure she knows what Autism is, but I'm dreading the "but you're so smart!" response if I tell her AS shares commonalities. Any thoughts?