Asperger Outtake

I told you all the other day that I'm diggin' The Good Doctor.

So, I want to tell you all something else. If you're someone with autism, you might feel really alone, like you're so different than everyone else that you're sure no one will like you. Nothing could be further from the truth, especially as you grow older.

I withheld my diagnosis from my coworkers for several months because I really wanted to fit in and be a part of the team. Yet, as time went on, I'd catch myself in quirks, or babbling about special interests like history or animals, and I knew I must seem different to y coworkers. I walk sorta like Dr. Shaun Murphy, with my hands clasped in front of me. If I don't have any x-rays for a long period of time, I tend to pace the halls.

Eventually, I decided to tell people about my diagnosis. Not dramatically, but more as an explanation of certain behaviors. You don't have to know me long to discover I don't like fruits or vegetables or anything with weird textures. My coworkers playfully tease me about it, and I found an opportunity to tell them why I don't like certain foods. And they weren't like, "Ewwww," or even "Awwww..." but more like "Ahhhh..."

So, it brought some clarity and eliminated some confusion, and they are very accepting, and I'm noticing a measure of respect I hadn't noticed before. I'm not the weird geeky girl, but now I'm more like the subtly brilliant nerdy girl.

And I'm able to open up and embrace it, and I feel more and more like I'm totally accepted and part of the team.

The other day, there was a sign up sheet for our Halloween potluck. I wrote down I would bring chocolate chip squares. Later that day, a coworker approached me and said that one lady known for her chili was talking about bringing that in, but they had decided, as a team, that they wanted to bring in something I would like instead. She said she'd heard I liked baked mac n cheese, so she was going to bring that. I was touched almost beyond words.

I didn't want to be the reason they couldn't enjoy this coworker's famous chili, so I came up with an alternate suggestion. I said, "How about she bring in chili, and I make my mom's chicken and dumpling recipe? That would go well with your baked mac n cheese, and you guys can still have chili, so that'll be the best of both worlds."

So, that was a neat little moment where we realize that despite our individuality, in some things. we aren't so different.

I really do love my job. I like my coworkers--all of them, and as I get to know each person, I realize they don't think I'm weird, or at least weird in a bad way. I feel accepted, like I belong, like I'm a valued member of the team.

It's a great feeling.

I even decorated my little x-ray office with my autographed Big Bang Theory pic of Will Wheaton and Sheldon, and a couple Star Wars bobbleheads. A couple people have commented on them, even reminiscing about that particular episode of Big Bang.

I guess there are a lot more awesome nerds in the medical field than I thought. :)