Hello, my name is Joshua Tamburro. I am twenty years old and I have Asperger's. I wasn't exactly verbal until the age of three & was diagnosed w/AS at four y/o. Many sensory occurrences that could be seen as no problem for the "average" child were terrors to me and an issue easily resolved was an enigma meltdown combo (with a toy of course).
I was a secluded child other than around my family and would primarily only speak if spoken to. Since then, I was mainstream since third grade, finished my first year of college with a 3.4 GPA, regularly speak on my experiences with AS, was voted "Most Likely to Become Famous" by my senior class and have amazing friends. I have 2 jobs & my passions include music, performing, "useless information" and nature. I also regularly take part in theatrical performances.Tremendous considering my evaluators once said I'd never speak properly and I'd always struggle with coordination.
You never hear much about AS and love, but here's my take. Social skills are 200% necessary, but I think we all(not just ASD/AS) need to work on our cyber skills. We don't realize how much words can hurt when not in person. We need to learn when to put the device down. Like an AS child's adoration for a specific thing, she was mine. I failed to see any flaws in her and it was a year of wonders for me. Where the average person may view something as a standard Starburst container, I saw her as a Starburst container with only the red and pink ones instead of acknowledging flaws(orange/yellow :p), but enjoying the entirety thanks to those red/pink aspects. We broke up, but I made it much worse. There are pivotal moments coming in her life that I wish to help her in. It's the least I can do, really. Of course it won't be like it was, but if that works, there's no threat of losing her as a friend.
Anyway, I have no idea how parents/guardians/teachers/therapists/paras do it, but thank you:).
Nothing's impossible, never lose hope.

Joshua Tamburro
Forked River, NJ