Kevin Hughes

"You are a sterling example of what a High Functioning Autistic person can accomplish!"

Then, just two weeks later: "Kevin, for someone on the Autistic Spectrum, you are amazing."

So, I called my wife and daughters to laugh about it. It went like this:

"Hey Honey, kids,  I had two different experts in Autism tell me I was Autistic, and had ADHD.  They think I am High Functioning, or on the AS spectrum."

 Dead silence.

I thought they would laugh. They did not. They said:

"Dad, that makes perfect sense. Now we understand you. " My wife, just smiled. "I knew you were different!"

I was 60 years old. It took four years to get a Formal Diagnosis. A brutal journey to diagnosis, but worth every ounce of effort, and all the obstacles to late in life diagnosis. When I finally got the diagnosis, my primary emotion? Relief. I was not broken or damaged. I was simply wired differently.

In a world of Televisions, I was a radio. A great radio, one that can get signals from all over the globe, and even from outer space. A radio that can even catch tiny frequency changes in the earth's magnetic field. But, I will never get a picture. I am a glorious radio.

My goal, it to make our world, the World of AS folks, understandable to the Neurotypical People (Normal folks). To use humor to convey how it is as difficult for us to understand and work with you, as it is for you to work with us. I want my fellow AS folks, who have the 299.00 diagnosis from the DSMV , to understand that we can, and do, and will have friends, a career, even romance- while still embracing our differences.

We are not broken, damaged, or mentally ill. We are wired different. We may be Radiios, but we can become, with some work, and knowledge- your favorite station !

Smiles, to all. Kevin Hughes the Autistic Comedian