My parents had always known there was something different about me- lining up toys for hours at a time, my poor social skills with kids my age, and my serious obsession with studying animals- they just knew there wasn't something right, but they knew they needed to do something to help me get up to par with all the other kids my age. My parents tried to teach me about social cues and how when kids say or do something they expect a certain response from me, I didn't understand why, but their advice worked. My new Mom taught me how to get through my grieving the loss of my biological Mom and Grandfather when I was 5 and 6, respectively. My Dad and new Mom taught me how to share a conversation and that not every conversation had to be about a topic that I liked. My new Mom worked especially hard with me to get me to read, socialize, she made me throw parties, join sports teams, clubs, and summer camps every year, it was pretty stressful for me, but once I got used to it I started to like it. Sometimes all her pushing to get me to get out there made me mad and sometimes we got into arguments over it, but looking back I am glad she did what she did for me. When I was finally diagnosed with Asperger's at 16 we were relieved to finally have a diagnosis that seemed to fit my habits. My parents were told to never expect me to live on my own, or hold a job, or get married, but my parents didn't listen. They knew I could do it. Now at 23 I have lived on my own since I was 18, I have been happily married for 5 years, go to college, and have a 2 year-old normal girl via planned pregnancy, and a small group of good friends. At the time, I wasn't happy with all the things my parents made me do, now I couldn't be happier that they pushed me so much!

Tara Lehman
Norfolk, VA