I've always preached the importance of a niche. What teens don't realise is that they have been prepared for that niche, and the strike rate is enviable. Provided of course the diagnosis and consequent adjustment is early enough. Nowadays this is happening with DX's under 5 of Aspergers much more common. Anything later is progressively worse because of the social issues that arise in school - although that depends on the school.

But who sets the rules of fitting in? The lawmakers? No. They try to adjust, but setting laws that work to instruct fitting in (culturally it's called assimilation) only creates trouble. Especially for those who can't fit in without causing mental health problems. That's why we have a concept called multiculturalism.

I did a personal update some time ago called Depression, Anxiety and Angst. It's relevant because too many people regard mental health as overrated. Hardly - in fact for those on the Spectrum it should be the number one priority, given that sensory overload is usually caused by such issues. I'm very aware of this - and it's why I am super protective of it. Combine that with the events of Christmas 1984 which of course was a physical problem.

I don't usually give specific examples outside of my own experience in these articles - but I'm going to make an exception here. A great example of a lack of respect for mental health and what it can lead to is a person who goes by the screen name of Rossco. He confessed on Aspies for Freedom that despite having chest pains on and off since January 2008, he ignored the signs - and in the early hours of Mother's Day in May he nearly paid for it with his life, suffering a heart attack. Now that is a little similar to me ignoring the signs from my stomach in 1984 (see above), but is he getting the message? No - he tried to return to work too soon, showing clearly that he was trying to fit in with the NT world. Luckily his employer was sensible enough to send him away until he had recovered properly, but to be honest in my opinion that attitude will inevitably lead to another heart attack. Working as a call centre employee would appear to not agree with him, but all because he regards work as a higher priority to his own mental and physical health he won't listen to his heart. Add to that past employment as a cleaner in an abattoir along with apparently a litany of other jobs, and a gall bladder problem - where's his routine? This has been building for longer than the few months he claims over fighting for access to his children.

I listen to my heart. I listen to my gut as well. I'm not a risk taker, and no one can make me be so. Everyone is entitled to a decent life, even when one has restrictions. Society has a history of disrespecting restrictions and reacting badly - putting up even more. It's improving, but in the mental health area this is taking too long. Certainly for me personally. I know through experience that "fitting in" is a mental health threat. I'm not risking 1984 again. Nor am I risking a nervous breakdown (which I have gone too close to twice now - in 1991 and 2006). I happen to value my mental health, and I think other people should do the same.

If you can find a niche to fit in - good for you, and good luck to you. And it's not like I'm not trying to find mine. The trouble is such is lack of respect going around, finding the right people to assist has been a chore. That's the main reason for getting an appropriate system up and running that will achieve this - and not just for me because I'm certain there are others who would benefit from such a system.

If you have trouble fitting in, and trying is causing you health problems - stop trying. Because that is why you are having those problems. Your health (mental and physical) should be your number one priority in life. Not anything else (money, employment, NT socials etc). And actually that applies just as much for NT's as it does for ASD people.