It does not matter what sixty-six percent of people do in any particular situation. All that matters is what you do.

And now I know it is perfectly natural for me not to look at someone when I talk. Those of us with Asperger's are just not comfortable doing it. In fact, I don'treally understand why it's considered normal to stare at someone's eyeballs.

In the past, when people criticized me for asking unexpected questions, I felt ashamed. Now I realize that normal people are acting in a superficial and often false manner. So rather than let them make me feel bad, I express my annoyance. It's my way of trying to strike a blow for logic and rationality.

This is a f***ing mess," I said tactfully.

Unlike some older brothers, I never set him on fire, or cut off an arm or leg, or drowned him in the tub.

I am sure antidepressants, drugs, and liquor have their place. But so far, that place is in others, not me.

Simply making myself aware of others has remarkably improved my social life. People accept me much faster now that I ignore them less.