I confess to finding the question and the offer for help a little odd, and my suspicisions naturally kicked in, this being the internet and all.  But, you know, wondergirl, if you are who you say you are, then I can't really expect you to play by my rules, since they really are formed by NT society, can I?

So, I'm going to take a leap of faith and provide you with the information you seek.  Assuming I can accurately remember all the questions, lol.

My son is 8 and was given a tentative diagnosis of Aspergers from the school psychologist when he was 7.  We have some follow up to do with that, but so far the diagnosis fits, and it has gotten my son the type of help he needs.  A child who once struggled is now thriving.  Do I really need to know more?

I never suspected Autism or Aspergers because my son is an extremely emotional and social child.  Basically, I had old ideas of what Autism and Aspergers were all about.  My son has always been different, and those differences have always made it challenging to parent or school him, but we have always seen those differences as also having tremendous upside potential for him, too.  There never was a time that I looked for someone to confirm there was something "wrong" with my child.  He has just, always, well, been difficult and wonderful all at the same time, from the day he was born.

My son is bright, energetic, and social in the sense that he desires social contact - but his skills in that area are poor.  He has friends, although all his friends are closer to other children than they are to him.  That is something he accepts.  We have children over often, because we find that his friendships go a little easier if I help mediate the arguments that always arise.  I don't want to ask another parent to have to go that extra mile to keep the friendship working, so I offer to host the playdates.

My son is mainstreamed at school, and it was his difficulties in Kindergarten and first grade that led to his evaluation for special education and, from that process, the tentative diagnosis for Aspergers.  While he is obviously bright to everyone who meets him, he can't write, spell or read well.  That clear gap between apparent ability and actual ability led us to look for more, for an explanation, for some bridge we just didn't know how to find.  Our school has been wonderful.  My son is HAPPY now.  There was a time he was in danger of shutting down from his frustration, but no more.  His friends understand that he is different and are willing to work with him on his terms.  His teachers understand.  We understand.  None of us are perfect at it, of course, but just holding the door open makes him happy.

Does that help?