Aspie

I'm fairly certain that I have something called Aspergers.   It's essentially a mild form of Autism.  People with Aspergers do not naturally pick up on the basic elements of social interaction during early development.   Most people learn the meaning of facial/tonal expressions, as second nature, but I didn't.  Most people learn to look others in the eyes when talking to them, but I didn't start to do this till I was in my twenties.   I picked up on this stuff later, but much like learning a second language as an adult -- I will never be as good as a 'native' speaker.

I've never bothered going for a diagnosis, or any professional help, because there isn't really any treatment in my case.  There is no comorbidity (other problems) or limiting effects that I haven't been able to deal with by means close at hand.  There is no magic pill, and in ways it isn't even a defect or disease.  I'm not even sure it could be defined as anything more than a condition, or even a set of personality traits.

In many ways, it hasn't been much of a hindrance, considering what I've been able to do in life and given the encouragement of what others, who likely have the condition, have been able to do (Albert Einstein, Isaac Newton, Bob Dylan, Bill Gates, Al Gore, etc).

It still sucks though. 

There is a perceived lack of empathy.   People will tend to think someone with Aspergers is being cold or rude, when it's rarely ever the case.   These perceptions lead into every aspect of one's life, effectively serving as a barrier to many people.  This limits the ways, and number of people that you can get close to - friends & acquaintances. 

Even the good stuff about it can be bad.  For example, Aspergers tends to make people passionate about very specific topics.   That can be a great thing -- just think about Albert Einstein or the work of many great scientists, who likely had the same condition.   The problem arises when that same passion combines with limited conversation skills.  It can put people off, with a one sided conversation, a bore, which is debilitating socially and personally.

Again, it's not all bad.   In ways, it makes life more interesting.   Linguistics, the study of language, the medium of thought, is fascinating to myself and many other people with Aspergers.   This is likely because we view much of the communication we see as a foreigner.   Much like you might find the stories or cultures of someone from India, China or any place outside of your community more interesting, because it offers more variety.  In this way, Aspergers gives you the view of a foreigner in your native land.

I've taken a highly introspective look on this situation for the last decade, but children force you to look out.   Like just about everything about a person, this condition has a genetic preponderance.

Nothing makes me happier than seeing Lily react to facial expressions or make them herself.   I am somewhat confident, at this point, that she's not carrying the genes actively.   It'll be a concern again with our next child.  Given that boys are about 3 or 4 times more likely to carry the condition may well weigh into it even more so, if it does happen to be a boy.

The good thing to know is that it's something that can be dealt with, proactively, in my child's case.   They can go on to live very productive lives and not be limited in any significant way.  Their dad will be living proof of that.