First day of school. College interviews. Job interviews.
- One girl I had just met told me that she thought my body language was condescending.
- My rationalization: First off what does condescending body language even look like? I googled it because I was so perplexed and turns out condescending can only apply to language. I think she was trying to say defensive or standoffish.
- A man who had just met and conversed with me briefly once told me that my use of vocabulary words like “tantalizing” and “perturbed” in everyday conversation makes him think I am keeping people at a distance.
- My rationalization: I am always happy to explain things in a different way in order to clarify what I’m talking about but in this case, they did not give me the chance to clarify my idea. He just made an assumption on my intentions of using “big words” and technical terms when in actuality that is how I talk.
If I could change the transparency between my words and nonverbal body language, I would. But I cant.
Am I scared? No. Am I angry? Yes. I’m angry at society for creating a social structure that uses superficial social situations to determine some of the most important outcomes for our life.
Alix’s childhood was hindered by undiagnosed Aspergers until she learned to harness her gifts. Now, at 21 years old, she has already done what most people can only hope to do in their lives; speak to the UN, make a major scientific contribution, give a TED talk, and travel the world.
Alix was misdiagnosed as a child. Told she was strickened with a plethora of mental illnesses and learning disabilities, she spent years desperately seeking answers until she found the right kind of help that enabled her to flourish; piano playing, composing, ballet and science.
Alix is an undergraduate student in Vermont working toward a degree in neuroscience. She is also currently working on several research projects studying autism and schizophrenia. She utilizes the college learning disabilities accommodation program and now lives comfortably with her challenges. Aspergers101 is thrilled to offer you the insights and brilliance of Alix!



Congratulations Alix. I am happy for you that you were able to learn the truth about yourself at a relatively young age and are making the most of your strengths. I am 64 and was diagnosed with Asperger/High functioning autism a few weeks ago. Needless to say I feel like I have blundered through life, never quite understanding how to navigate many social situations, and now I know why. Although my therapist says it is not too late to learn and I am trying out her suggestions, it does feel like a heavy lift at this point. If there is anyone here in a similar situation, or who is familiar with any research on people diagnosed this late in life, I would be so happy to hear from you!
When I was learning that people looked at faces in order to, essentially read minds, and my face didn’t reflect my thoughts, I treated the situation like a photo shoot. I learned a pose and wore it the way some people wear high heels or a tie. I chose the facial expression off of a Buddha incense burner. If you wear that mouth expression then your retort to all naysayers is that you are practicing equanimity and seeking inner tranquility. That worked as the basic expression for me. I learned more, later, and I think of them as silent words.
I was diagnosed last year at the age of 39. As a child, I learned not to use big words that I’d learned from books in real conversations with people because they’d think I was stuck up. Females with asperger’s often go undiagnosed or misdiagnosed because of this ability to adapt so well.