Astro Boy. That's what my friends call me. I think it's because from an external perspective I never seem to be fully grounded on Earth. Or it could be that I sometimes appear to have secret super powers when I notice small noises that other people can't hear or see things that neuro-typicals miss. I like to think of it as my "mutant" name, an undocumented character in the Marvel Comics Universe, a member of the X-Men Team. 
 
Meanwhile, my real name is Kane McConnell, and I am a high-functioning autistic human. I suppose that's not quite as cool as being a super hero at a glance. However, as a child my brain grew faster and bigger than a typical child's brain, which in a sense does make me a modern day mutant. 
 
Every super hero has an underlying weakness. For Superman, it's kryptonite. For me, there are physical disabilities as well as social awkwardness. 
 
Put me in a room with more than one or two people, and I won't be able to distinguish one voice from the drone of the others unless it is directed at me and very close by. So when neuro-typicals are speaking to each other and maintaining eye conact, I am watching lips to listen with my eyes. A situation like this often leaves me feeling isolated and anxious that people who try to speak to me will consider me to be rude or antisocial. 
 
Sometimes, I just don't like to talk. I'm not afraid to talk even though I am shy, but it takes a lot of mental energy to hold a conversation with someone. I may even use a cartoon or funny voice to answer a question when I otherwise would not reply. I usually only talk when I have to; not because I want to. 
 
I prefer to write. If I get distracted, I can review what I've written and pick up where I left off. In conversation, however, you might have to remind me what I was saying. I enjoy posting videos on YouTube and chatting online as well for the same reasons, but I get really frustrated if I'm working on something and get interrupted. It's like taking a toy away from a toddler and not replacing it with something else. 
 
Every day I wake up, and I'm still Autistic. It doesn't go away, and there's no cure, in spite of random claims for profit on the Internet. I have a 150 IQ and an ability to do just about anything I dream up as long as I have a little help from an NT (neuro-typical) to keep me on task and provide focus. Autism may slow me down at times, but it does not defeat me. 
 
It would be easy to dwell on the shortcomings and complaints I have about Autism, and rightly so. However, I think life is better when you recognize your flaws, focus on your strengths and celebrate your victories.