Even though I was diagnosed with Asperger's, sometimes...

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At times, I wonder if I actually DON'T have Asperger's and was misdiagnosed. My upbringing was kind of peculiar and I never really practiced socializing or interaction. I never had friends come over, and never went on vacations like a normal family. I would just play video games all day at home. The only time I was allowed to leave my home during my childhood was to go directly to school and directly home. I was severely sheltered, still (at age 22) don't know how to do small things that make other people go "Wow....she's so naive". I've been in the same town my entire life; never travel. I still don't have a job because I don't know how to deal with people...don't drive because I have no money for a car. It depresses me. I don't know much about pop culture, music, or anything related to celebrities. Movies? Haven't watched half of the movies people go on and on about, because I can't force myself to sit through movies that I have no interest in. Sometimes I catch myself staring at people, and it makes me feel awkward. Other times, I avoid eye contact like the plague just to avoid awkward interactions. (which usually fails and makes it worse). Can anyone relate? I don't know if I have Asperger's as I've been told, or if it's my family's fault for more or less isolating me from society and making me afraid of people by telling me horror stories about the world and how "evil" and "judgmental" everyone supposedly is. Either way, it's making me sad. :/ This may seem like a strange analogy, but I feel like a mermaid coming up out of the water and trying to navigate through a world I know almost nothing about.

It still sounds as though you have aspergers, and still struggle with the same things the rest of us do. A lot of people without aspergers who have a bad upbringing will naturally associate with others who accept them.

Might be one, might be the other.

My experience?? Your family is right.

Don't know what to tell you.

But, the world is indeed evil and judgemental

Hi, it sounds like you're family way overdid emphasizing the dangers of the world, without emphasizing the skills to deal with the world.

Believe it or not, I learn some things from reality TV and I pick and choose widely, even though they overemphasize the argumentative / conflict sides of life.

Do you have relatives out of state you could visit, who might have less issues than your immediate family?

You know, it could be both, that both you're on the Spectrum and your family has real issues. In fact, other family members might be on the Spectrum or close.

I agree with what someone already said that it sounds like both (sheltering and AS).

However thats not (in my opinion) a good approach they had. So don't go back under the water now and keep on exploring and learn about life on your own as best you can. Really you are not completely behind the eight ball. You have learned many things and grown in a lot of ways, but in a major area are behind the curve. Be smart about it but start your sprint to catch up now. Insist that your parents stop treating you as a child. Get them to compromise.

It could be both. Your upbringing sounds a lot like mine, and I definitely have AS.