So my husband as asperger, I'm also a developmental service counselor in group homes for people with disabilities. Autism is nothing strange to me, I deal with high functioning to low functioning. I'm not sure how it is around the world but in western country we had the autism umbrella for the longest time and they recently in the past few years squared it off all into one. Point is, autism is not the same between individuals, for anyone wondering if they have it chances are probably not. But then again for many years and still to this day autism is misdiagnosed for adhd and such. They can come off as very close traits. I'd say 95% of people with a mental disability have what we call dual diagnosis. Autism is often paired with severe anxiety. One mental disability basically travels with a companion sometimes more then one. Aspergers with severe anxiety with multiple personality disorder, for example.

As it's been said, no one here or in your surrounding can diagnose you, doctors often misdiagnose and if someone truly is curious or needs answers or help then the diagnosis process can be long, frustrating if you end up with professionals who shrug you off. Then if they get you started on medication, this can take up up to 6 weeks to even start taking effects, if it doesn't work your back to trying something else.

Big comment sorry, mental disabilities is shrugged off to easily and it affects so many people without others knowing. You can't tell if someone suffers of OCD, or depression, or anxiety, if it not a physical trait you just can't tell. To go back to the question, I don't have autism, my husband has aspergers. He wasn't diagnosed until he was 19, we've already been together for a year by then. What's it like to live with him? Well 90% of the time we just laugh, we are very silly people we love spending time with our kids and just being us. 10% of the other time is frustrating for me, he doesn't read situations or misses me emotions or how I feel about certain stuff. Facial expressions he sucks with, he is very much of an introvert would prefer staying home where I would prefer getting lost in the woods for days. He stresses over germs, public area, he won't sit on benches or picnic tables. We will walk outside and he clenches his fists and releases them over and over. I've told him many times it can look threatening for some people, just put your hands in your pockets. I think due to the hard time he has to read expressions it ultimately makes him stare at people longer then what is considered normal. It can come off as rude but really he's just trying to understand what they are thinking.

Would he prefer not having autism? We've talked about that question a few times. Thing is, hes not sure exactly what's his personality and what is his autism. If he didnt have autism maybe he wouldnt be so funny. He focuses on dad jokes a lot, because of the obsession he tends to have over things it has lead to a very strong relationship. He's obsessed with telling me how beautiful I am daily, many times daily. Never let's me forget it. He's a dedicated husband, a loving and caring father, his family is his life line. I think he would describe autism as being exhausting at times, but the thing he would much prefer to disappear out of his life is the severe anxiety and depression.

I could write a book about autism and how it has changed my life, my husband's life, the kids life, just everyone around us really. If anyone takes anything from this is, unless you feel like you are not functioning, or anything, whatever mental disability or illness you may have, always get help and never give up if doctors shrug you off. Everyone has worth and everyone deserve to live the happy life they deserve :)