Although she is 18, her diagnosis is only two years old–and what a help it’s been for both of us in understanding her personality and quirks. She’s made tremendous behavioral improvements in the past two years simply because she now understands better why, for instance, she responds so strongly to certain sensory stimuli.

Or learning that a whole different language is employed by most people, one to which she was formerly oblivious. Thankfully, others have written books explaining body language. Reading some of those has allowed her to participate knowingly in the non-verbal dance–an activity which will never be innate for her, but at least she can now employ it to some degree.