• Talks about their interests and doesn’t understand why others aren’t interested
• Trying to remember to be friendly and say hello to people
• Being closer to animals than to humans
• Fidgeting
• Blurting out inner thoughts
• Not understanding jokes/taking things too literally
• Sensitive hearing
• Uncomfortable with eye-contact
• Noticing things that others don’t

Not everyone with autism relates to all the traits above. These are just a few traits that most people with autism share, but every autistic person is different.

I related to Isaac not understanding certain jokes and taking things said too literally. Back in elementary school, my teachers would tell me that if I didn’t finish my work, I wouldn’t be able to leave. I thought I would have to stay there late into the night. That terrified me to the bone as a kid. So be careful what you say to a kid with Asperger’s or any kid. They might take what you say too seriously.

The thing about Asperger’s is you can’t see it. When you say you have Asperger’s, people look at you and think, ‘I don’t see anything wrong with you.” It’s hard to have a disability that no one can see, like a broken leg. I’ve had some trouble with that in the past.