As many of you know, one of the strangest myths about autism is the idea that people on the autism spectrum do not have or express emotions. I'm not sure where this myth got started, but the thoughts you've shared so far make it abundantly clear that people on the spectrum are among the most loving people in the world. You've also shared some surprising and rather wonderful insights about how life on the spectrum has changed your lives for the better.
Like you, I am amazed by the intensity of the love that my son, Tom, shares with those closest to him. Last night, he and his sister were to have a "sleepover" -- but Sara had a cough, and we had to move her back to her own room. Sara took it in stride. But for Tommy, the possibility that his beloved sister might be sick and unhappy was overwhelming. It took a lot of conversation, back rubs and reassurances to get him back to sleep. That's just what it's like for Tommy: where he loves, he loves completely.
I invite as many of you as possible to take a look at the growing collection of stories and testimonials -- and, if you're so moved, to add yours. At the end of next week (Friday) I'll compile them into a single document -- a gift to the wider autism community.
Thanks so much!
ok…let’s start. I came across your article when I followed the link “Articles about Asperger’s” but your article is about autism in general. It is relevant, not the same thing I guess… but let me tell you my story….
i think you should ask my husband in say, a week or so – because i have to tell him about my discovery first (Honey, guess what i just learned! 
My husband has ADD himself, just like me – hold on…it’s not ADD that I have…what if he has Asperger’s too???? ohmigod!!!!!
how about the fact that i have just learned – literally -about 30 min ago – that i have Asperger’s? diagnosed with ADD and coping with my total incomprehension of how you communicate with people, i always knew there was something different about me. ADD solution definitely solved a couple of issues with my “weirdness” but not completely… I thought that I just had a certain “type” of ADD – i.e. instead of having absence of concentration – I was overly concentrated, hence not able to concentrate on everything I needed to… I always knew that i saw the world differently- overall, i understood it well, though some things were a bit tough, however on the other side – i saw things that nobody else saw. people always told me that they didn’t know how my brain worked but that it is amazing… and yes, no social skills whatsoever… I have a few friends – but I cannot sustain a “cocktail” conversation with a stranger whatsoever… you know i am still in shock… i had just written an email to the author of a very acclaimed marketing book “the tipping point” that i had just finished – and after i sent it – it hit me – i spell-checked everything, but the subject line… i had a ridiculous typo right there in the middle of my perfectly mastered “get back to me” pitch!!! … i was devastated…somehow, i always managed to produce something cool and unusual, but it ALWAYS had this “weirdness” or messiness about it and it had always discredited the whole thing… I am a marketing researcher, and when I put the findings together I always need that someone to go thru and check my presentation for “crazy stuff”… anyway – back to my story -after i tried every possible way there is to recall that email – i started thinking… what is the matter with me? so, i looked at the portrait of sir Albert with his famous tongue sticking out, hanging above my fireplace… everyone knows that he was weird, but not crazy… the man was brilliant but could not lace his own shoes… so i started digging – i stumble across an article about Asperger’s…needless to say that i have already placed an immediate order on Amazon.com for one of the very few books about this disorder… (the oasis one)
Ms Rudy, i am aware of the fact that i did not answer your question
ps. My alias is Newton (that one I picked long before I learned that he hypothetically, had Asperger’s) and I have Sir Albert hanging on my wall…coincidence? pps.Pardon me my overly verbose reply…
Hi, Newton!
Let me say, first, that figuring out you have Asperger Syndrome (if indeed you do) is really ok. It doesn’t change anything whatever about you, your relationship with your husband, or how people think about you. In fact, you can do nothing about it — and be exactly the same as you were before. If you DON’T decide to tell anyone, that’s fine too.
If you DO decide to learn more about it, let me just mention that there’s lots more info about Asperger Syndrome and adults on my website (http://autism.about.com/od/aspergerssyndrome/Asperger_Syndrome.htm and http://autism.about.com/od/adultsonthespectrum/Adults_and_Autism.htm will get you to a whole series of articles on those topics). There are also some terrific websites on which adults with AS get together and chat; GRASP is probably the biggest and best known (www.grasp.org). So if you DO decide to look into support, therapy, etc., they are good people to help out.
Lastly: as you mentioned, there are plenty of successful adults with AS — and all of them are a bit off the beaten track. People like Stephen Shore and Bill Stillman are amazing speakers and authors — and rumor suggests that Dan Ackroyd and (of course!) Bill Gates are also aspies.
So don’t worry too much. You may find that a diagnosis is actually a blessing!
Best,
Lisa
What I love the most about my child who has autism is I remember he is a child first and I love that the most. Because my child has autism, he has taught me as many things at the same time I have been teaching him things. One I the things I love is how he taught me how capable I was/am as a parent, and the many things I CAN do that I never thought in a million years I would be doing. One main thing is as I help him to locate his voice and words, I was able to find my voice and shout for him on his behalf
I may never know exactly how everything works and clicks in his head, but I would bet many people don’t know that about any body else, either. Now my son doesn’t show expression depending on how many people are about him. He is very reserved and quiet when there are too many people. At home it is much different and I see one emotion a lot! Anger! My child has to be a ‘puppy’ in order to show me affection, and you know, that’s ok. One day he may kiss me than slobber me with a puppy lick 
before he ever figured out to be a puppy, I never had any affection from him so I am thrilled for ‘reality pretend’.
Great topic! Many get stuck on the every day battles they forget all the small wonderful things there are about their loved one with autism!
Sandy
i want to add few lines to my post, i know am 24 and he is 18, he is quite young, he is calm and happy around me, verry nice person, good heart, he was the one who insist i talk to his parents, he told them about me. because they were worried when he came to see me, he told me, they were scared and worried,
i just want to be just a special friend, that he sees me , i see his parents this week, i cant just now say bye bye to him becos i saw online what people talking about autism, i know now what autism is, but i dont want to give him up, maybe just been friends can help him build up, since he is talking alot with my friends, because i explain him he could trust them, it just makes me happy somehow inside when i see him happy, laughing, what should i do? nothing has happen between us, , i dont want to act strange toward him now, i think am reading too much about autism few days now, i dont know what to think anymore.
first of all, i speak english and he is dutch,he told me is hard to talk he has to think alot to come with words.he is happy that he is speaking english now.somehow inside me i think he is geting better. he dont freak out alot he says, he is no more angry or sad,, and i see he is relaxed around me and my friends pls this is my first time i have encounter with this, if am wrong about what am writing or feeling, if everything turns out like i read online saying …about autism, how can i explain to him what holding hands or kissing is.
he smart, verry, he tells me about alot about life, sundenly i have to think how to act, even dont know if i can talk with him like before,
i am sure he understands everything i says because before i found out autism was, we talked and he answered all my questions, he ask also alot ..
what should i do? I m autistic, syndrome of asperger; are they two sickness? am realy confuse
grace
Hello!
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I have autism and its not quite like what your saying for every autistic person. Autism covours a spectrum of disorders and its very diffrent for everyone who has it. I’m not a very cairing person but I do understand people and make them feel better.