A battery analogy by Aaron Tanner

Asperger Syndrome/High-Functioning Autism is known as a hidden disability. I may appear healthy on the outside, but my deficiencies are not visible.

Someone recently gave me a perfect analogy of what it is like having Aspergers. Picture two cell phones next to each other. Both appear normal on the outside. However, one phone has a larger battery while the other has a smaller battery.

The person with my condition is the smaller battery, which drains more quickly than the one on the outside. My energy levels often depend on outside factors, such as whether I got enough sleep or whether I have gone too long without eating or especially if I am in a noisy environment for a prolonged period. Besides the outside factors, I am also trying to concentrate on people's non-verbal communication such as body language, facial expressions, and tone of voice while trying not to get overstimulated.

I try hard to push myself but often get frustrated when I realize my plate is smaller than the plate of a Neurotypical. With help, I am trying to learn when to take up a challenge and when to recognize when my body says it needs rest. Understand that when I say I need more downtime than the average person that I am not acting awkward, but that is how my wiring is inside of me.

What analogies do you have to describe Aspergers/High-Functioning Autism? Comment in the section below.