When I was in primary school, I could bring 10 books in to read during the day and no one would bat an eye.  Even though we were all only about 11, we were schooled to accept everyone, quirks and all.

Then I was in secondary school, I could bring 10 books in to read during the day again and this time I would be stereotyped as a nerd, the teachers always wrote in my report cards that I "need to learn to interact with the classmates more".  Why was there a need for me to socialize with people who don't bother to accept or get to know me?  The few that understood me despite my erratic train of thoughts are all the friends I really needed anyway.

Admittedly sometimes I still don't feel like I get people, but the great thing is that I still go and give it my best shot.  And then when you find someone who you can get and who gets you back... it's like winning the lottery :)

I didn't even learn about Aspergers until I was 28 years old and searching to understand why my 2 year old son was acting so differently than other 2 year olds. Eventually we got him on the path to being evaluated for high functioning autism. During that process, I learned that I fit the diagnostic criteria for Aspergers to a T... and it was like suddenly a lightbulb came on... I struggle with some of these things because I REALLY AM DIFFERENT... and that difference is perfectly ok with me. I refuse to see myself as having a disorder, I see it as a different order. I like who I am and how I think. Does it cause frustration sometimes? Yep, but that's ok. And yeah, reading a 300 page book in a couple hours... LOL BTDT.