I'm 23 years old, and I have what used to be known as Asperger's Syndrome, but it is now Autism Spectrum Disorder. I spent years refusing to believe I had autism, but my lack of proper social skills and the fact that I received Special Education Services in school said otherwise. I was told, and believed myself, that I would probably never have a lot of things a normal person might. That included a college degree, a normal romantic relationship, a job better than minimum wage, or the ability to live independently. I took that entire list of things I couldn't do and set to work doing them. Today, I am fresh out of cosmetology school with several perfect attendance awards, I'm getting ready to start a new job at a local high-end salon, I live with my boyfriend of 1 1/2 years, and I continue to work with a vocational rehabilitation counselor on improving my social skills for on the job and off. I think whoever said "there's no such thing as 'I can't'" was on to something.....

Hillary
Hague, NY