Hi there,
I'm sort of in the same situation. I'm almost 18 years old and currently in the process of getting a diagnosis. My therapist strongly believes I have mild Aspergers but I don't know for sure. I want to know for sure - I need that validation.

Every non-professional person I've talked to, such as my art teacher, had been surprised by this news and it seems like they didn't understand the reasoning behind my T's suspicions. I've always been an introverted, socially awkward person, and only really come out of my shell when I'm around good friends or people I know well. Anyone else - forget it. I explained this to my teacher because she's had me in class for five years now and I felt the need to explain my awkward behavior (at least I think it is) and why I often don't understand what she says to me in class or directions she gives me unless she repeats herself a couple times (sensory processing disorder?)

I took the AQ test that I'm sure many of you are familiar with and believe I scored a 35 or 36. I've taken it a few times and have usually scored anywhere in the 30s, once in the high 20s. I took PsychCentral's Aspergers quiz and scored a 36. But of course I'm always afraid of "over-exaggerating" my answers on those questionnaires.

I've always had the strong special interest associated with the condition, and they range from the most obscure things like Cold War/nuclear weapons studies to more common interests like writing, psychology and animals.

Thoughts? Sorry if I'm stealing your thread Rapunzel