This is a difficult one for me as talking about feelings and things doesn't exactly come naturally.... but we'll give it a go.

Making this website about A.S. has taught me about myself a little. I have called it Aspergernauts© because for me, having A.S. is like having landed on another planet. I mean, this is Earthlings land, and I'm well... an Aspergernaut - just like the Astronauts visit the moon... I meet lots of children/young adults but they don't seem to want to accept me, it's mainly younger people. I feel like an alien and I'm not the only A.S. person to feel like this! Although I don't need much in the way of friends, but I do want to be friendly towards people and would like them to be friendly to me too, and just accept me for who I am. I think this is a simple rule that no-one follows in Earthling land (I'm not being strange calling it Earthling land here, it's just a good comparison)... because really... the golden rule is to treat people how you expect to be treated yourself, and to treat others with respect. This often isn't what happens unfortunately. I sometimes felt worried in some lessons at school (or school in general) for many reasons, some being the bullying that went on and I really didn't want to sit in a classroom full of hooligans... and I never really liked P.E. that much... I dunno what it is, maybe it was the Changing room because they all acted like complete hooligans then.... but anyway I have devised a list of tips and self-help that covers most of the problems A.S. children/young adults have. ( Click here for Tips )

People

With Aspergers, being around other people is difficult. However being around the opposite sex at 15-18 sometimes makes it even harder! Although being around people, to someone with Aspergers it can be very worrying, as with me, I try to think, well Ok, I am good at what I'm interested in - so what, and try to ignore it. Everybody with AS has a special interest that they do well, they all have positive sides that most other children/people with A.S. don't. We feel like nice people on wrong planets, and that's true. We're the Aspergernaut and they are the Earthlings... We have great strengths and very minor weaknesses, shame the weaknesses are so distressing though. I know. But we have to try and outweigh them - and it can be done... as I have managed to do. You must always think positive and NEVER get down about it.... Advice on Talking to other people is on my self-help page. See you there... ( Click here for Tips )

My High school years

In January 2003 I started at a new school. I had major problems fitting in with the boys at my last school. Getting rather depressed about these things when you are in your teenage years is not an unusual thing to happen to someone with A.S. I didn't want to ever go to school at that time and if I did go I soon got very stressed so when I came home I just went to bed and slept for ages, as it at least allowed me to go into my own little world - without any distraction or bullying. I was not able to access my interest in computers and technology too, I lost interest in everything. I missed a lot of school at the time, and also a lot of education. However, I changed to a new school, which has been a great help throughout, It was a lot quieter and very calm and I coped very well there. The teachers are always around and I felt a lot safer, and I got the help I really wanted - in a much better environment. I taken my GCSE's and managed to get 2 A's and 6C's having had a lot of catching up to do - I was pleased with my results. I am at college now, studying IT...

About My Dog

Sparkie is eight now. He is a Jack Russell and sometimes he isn't well behaved at all, he pinches socks and tissues all the time. Whenever I have had problems and I felt as though nobody is there, and nobody cares - Sparkie has always been there! He doesn't like fireworks either, pretty much the same as me... The best thing about Sparkie is that he doesn't tell me to go away, and isn't nasty to me. I mean, what more could you ask for... :-)

Diana Princess of Wales Memorial Award

I am very, very proud to win this award. I gained it for creating the Aspergernauts website (which your viewing now) which has helped lots of Aspergers people, their carers and professionals. In August I had a free visit to Althorp, Princess Diana's childhood home. It was excellent!!! The teachers from my old school nominated me for this award.

More recently, I was awarded the 10,000th Award holder, and I also got the chance to meet Rt Hon Gordon Brown MP Chancellor of the Exchequer, at Downing Street... It was an amazing experience, and everyone was very welcoming! It was an excellent event! I'm very proud of myself for being able to share my website, and also help others while overcoming my own difficulties! The award/event has given me extra encouragement, and I am very happy that this website has been very useful to everyone who has visited it. Thank you!!!!