Highschool was only one year back for me; and despite being an aspie I highly enjoyed it. I can't say I fit in, but my exceptional abilitys lead to respect and acceptance. I didn't focus on fitting in, it wasn't easy, but I just did my own thing and made a place for myself.

From this string of comments I have the impression that aspies are viewed as different or seperate from the mainstreem. The catch is that there is no mainstreem. I see many small streems; and some austrian decided to name one of them aspie.

My roomate has covered himself with body piercings and tatoos. He wants to seperate himself from the norm; but in doing so has become part of the group of people covered in Tatoos and body piercings.

I go as far as to say that all people can be labeled and put into groups based on traits. In Highschool there were the socialite girls (and guys) gossiping in tight clothes; The kids who would sit on the sidewalk wearing hoods smoking dope; the athletes; the artists; the acedemics; the cheerleeders; the "Gangstas"; etc.

I see Asperger's as just another such group. The difference being that this group was cataloged in the 1940's by some Austrian doctor rather than MTV. An aspie is more than just an aspie. Knowing that an individual is homosexual or dresses like a rock star is entirely different from knowing the individual. Having or lacking Asperger's syndrome is one of only many traits that make an individual unique.

Aspie is just a name given to a group of people. No-one should define themself or others as simply "an aspie" we're all so much more.