Please tell me...

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I can't be the only person for whom AS creates problems other than just "not being social" or "not being normal enough". Seriously, as marked as my social deficiencies are, they are about the easiest part of my disorder to deal with- I don't socialise much, and when I'm around people, I watch them and do as I do, and rely on memorised scripts, and I survive. My sensory issues, trouble with change and executive dysfunction cause many, many more issues.

These people who only have social problems: well, for a start, if your ONLY problems are social, you don't meet the diagnostic criteria for AS. So it seems like there are a lot of people here who either:
A. Have overcome their issues to the point of no longer being diagnosable.

B. Are in denial.

C. Lack insight.

D. Focus on the social issues so much that they don't even notice other issues.

E. Something that I haven't thought of.

I wish my only issues were social. Things would be so much easier and less painful/tiring.
Surely it's not just me...?

It's not just you. I don't care that I'm a social dunce. I would much prefer to actually be able to function-- being comfortable; without sensory issues, being able to sleep normally, eat normally, go a day without repetitive pacing and movements, without executive dysfunction, being able to leave the house, dealing with change...

I'm really unhappy that because of these issues I can't do normal things like finish schooling. When people sum up Asperger's as impairment in social functioning I just don't understand how that could be someone's main problem with having Asperger's, and my social skills are very bad still.

To me Asperger's is more of a disorder than a difference. I wouldn't mind just being myself but the other issues that come with autism really cause me anguish. Take for instance that quote by Atwood I think that says other people are your problem, not Asperger's. It's just not as simple as that.

For me my biggest problem is my brain not being able to organise all the sensory information around me in a way that is normal. Part of this is to do with aS but also ADHD like traits too, and a brain chemistry problem I have which I think is unrelated to the AS, make it hard to focus.

but the social stuff has been a huge problem for me, and I didnt even think to use scripts until I was over 25. I have always been pretty social but I couldnt function with people my age socially, so I would spend a lot of time reading and with my interests. Granted, even if I had been accepted by others, I would probably have needed to rely on my interests a lot anyway, i need to take frequent breaks from people to feel myself..

My problems extend to more than being socially deficient. I have the other primary Asperger's symptoms of intense focus on certain subjects and poor motor skills. I also can't properly care for myself (such as having bathroom "accidents" and forgetting to shower/take medication), I get so absorbed in my fantasy world that I am completely oblivious to my surroundings and I have palilalia and dermatillomania (palilalia = tic involving repeating one's own words, dermatillomania = compulsive skin-picking).

Of course it's not just social! I have awful executive function and some sensory issues. And I thought everyone here talked about special interests!

My executive dysfunction is actually probably my biggest problem.

You can technically be autistic with only social/communication problems. You'd have to be diagnosed PDD-NOS, but you could be.

People do seem to ignore what I think are the more significant aspects of autism in favor of the social/communication issues. Autistic people are anywhere from significantly to profoundly different, cognitively, from NTs; and those differences aren't even well-defined yet. They should be, if we're going to educate the next generation of autistics properly; but people are just constantly focusing on social stuff. (Granted, language is important. But since the cognitive differences are intrinsic to learning language, that doesn't make them any less important.)

I can't stand being touched by people. This is not often a problem, but sometimes my boss likes to put his hand on my shoulder and I practically fall down to get away from his hand.

I take everything literaly. This is a problem because alot of people ask a question by making a statement and I think they're accusing me of something.

I can't make myself do paperwork. This includes reports for work, filling out my timesheet to get paid, paying my bills, registering my car, etc.

Bright lights drive me crazy.

I have depression, anxiety, OCD, and ADD

I am always skeptical of "authority". This gets me into lots of trouble.

If it was just the social stuff, I think I could get by. Most people just think I'm a jerk. Though the inability to comprehend physical intemacy cost me my marriage.