Hi all
Bazza (a.k.a. Barry McKenzie) was an Aussie cult movie in the 70's. (no relation to Peter McKenzie. Incidently PeterMcKenzie you don't want to change your avatar do you?).
Someone here suggested I2 may be more interesting to me than WP (full of kids).
I am not diagnosed, but know I have AS traits (especially when I was younger), if not AS.
My very earliest memory is of being teased about the way I speak. Then, if I could avoid speaking, I would. After I had kids myself who needed speach therapy, I always wondered why I didn't have speech therapy. I only recall one visit to a speach therapist, but in the 1960's I suppose it was less availalbe than now.
I was a big kid (not fat) so I was never physically bullied, but always hated my voice. I went to an all boys school from yr 1 - yr 12. I didn't really know any girls until I went to college, but that was engineering and there were only 2 girls in my year.
Dropped out of engineering where I had no friends and joined the public (civil) service and the Army Reserve (Infantry). I found both these good. I was sent on lots of courses and the army is all about team bonding and helping your mates (it was said our training is about imposing as much hardship and discomfort on you as possible to see if you can still work as a team).
Went on my first date when I was about 19 or 20. First steady/serious girlfriend at age 25. Married her age 26. Now have 2 sons (age 15 & 13). Younger one shows some aspie traits, but is very confident and good at sports, unlike me.
When I heard about AS (only a few months ago) it sounded very much like me. However seeing others experiences on WP I have some self doubts whether AS is me, as their problems seems more severe than mine.
I have acquaintances, and possibly only 1 true friend. I say possibly because I don't know. It bothers me I don't know. I'm not close to my siblings or parents. I can go months without phoning or seeing them. I feel sad I don't know my nieces and nephews better.
I know I am very lucky to have my wife. Without her I'm sure I would be an alcoholic in the public service. (I went back to uni and am a now a CPA). Every now and then she gets upset with me and I don't know why. There is a lot in the book "An Aspergers Marriage" that is much the same as me.
I am looking to understand myself better. I would like to have better understanding and communication with my wife (and my kids as they become young men). Sometimes I am amazed we have stuck togehter as long as we have (21 yrs). Otherwise I think my life and AS traits are under control.
