to think the world doesn't care about adults with Aspergers

[BrainyMess]

I have recently had a formal diagnosis in my mid-forties thus explaining to me at least the struggle I have had functioning throughout my adult life.

I know, I can make sense of it, but people around me know next to nothing about it.
My Dad had never heard of it. My brother said it was a made up voodoo illness that was used to justify bad behaviour, besides I couldnt have it because I was/am emotional, that I do have feelings.

Understanding on forums seem to range from people with Aspergers are murderous (Adam Lanza, Ellot Rodger etc) or its a made up ailment which is good for wrongly claiming benefits.

I have understanding but Im left feeling few care or understand.
AIBU?
I hope I am, I have trouble seeing the bigger picture- my brains wired all funny

btw I've name changed, BrainyMess was a name I was called when I was at secondary school.

I think 'the world' is more built round extroversion now too, which can be tougher for a lot of people with AS. I have a friend who doesn't have AS but who is a classic introvert, very senior, manages a lot of people and she really struggles to support a couple of introverts in her team because the organisation as a whole doesn't really value that particular approach. They're lucky they have her, but she does say if she was starting out now she would struggle hugely.

(I know they're not the same things, but I think there are enough similarities to make that a valid point, iyswim.)

No I would agree, there are very valid comparisons. I can appear to be quite extrovert in small doses (interviews!) but the introversion comes out in the day to day workplace.

I'm under a lot of stress at home and I'm really anxious without undergoing a big change like that. Besides, I've been in this job a long time (nearly 10 years) and I think as I've got older some things are more difficult.

With me things got more difficult as I got older because of home life.
When I live alone with my dogs, I was very lonely and very depressed.
I yearned to have a normal life.

I was then misdiagnosed with Social Anxiety Disorder. I determinedly did CBT and social skills training to make me normal.

I then got me a normal life

With...
a full time job,
a partner,
DD,
DSD (yep Im a stepmum)
the ex wife and
many in-laws

I now know this is overload for me. Im constantly stressed and really really struggle to keep everything together.

My work has suffered definitely.

I was diagnosed 8 years ago and my mum still seems to think I could be "normal" if I wanted. It's made a world of difference with my husband and colleagues though.

Some people's attitudes to the condition leave a lot to be desired though. I've encountered individuals who expect me to be a clone of other Aspies that they have met and think they know more about my condition than I do despite them having only known me a few days and my having lived with it my whole life.

I'm lucky that there is a group for adults with the condition in my area. I've heard some horror stories though from other members eg being told that the equality act only applies to "proper" disabilities or to snap out of it. Ive spent most if my life trying and failing to be "normal" and am not the only one.