I was diagnosed with Asperger's syndrome in 2003 when I was 8 years old. My mom couldn't believe it when she found out, but my dad had an idea I might have something. Asperger's syndrome is described as a behavior disorder that deals with having the following symptoms: having trouble with social cues and social skills, not always having direct eye contact, having an obsession with a particular activity or subject and focusing on a certain interest. I was different than the other kids growing up. Not every child is caught riding his bicycle in the neighborhood chasing garbage trucks and following them. I was so obsessed with them that my grandmother used to record what time they picked up every week. When I was really little, I loved watching the Weather channel. Yes, every kid's dream to listen to the sounds of the Local on the 8's music. I used to dance and scream in my crib. Growing up, I didn't have the best behavior and I got in trouble a lot at school. I used to receive timeouts at home and I used to get teased in school. In school, I would get called different names for having a weird last name, glasses, fat, ugly and bullied.

I also loved planes, trains, and automobiles. I was so fascinated with planes that I memorized all the airports in every state and the corresponding airlines that fly out. I also loved model trains.I also have an obsession with bowling. My parents were on a league together and their first date was at the bowling alley. My dad used to take me bowling almost every Sunday. We were in an Adult/Junior league when I was only 6. Then I started doing junior leagues from age 11 on. Every year I would go to City and State tournaments, Adult/Junior scholarship tournaments and Junior Bowlers Tour, Amateur tour and Junior Gold. When I came to college, I was on the bowling team and I bowled league every week and was traveling to collegiate tournaments and other scratch tournaments all over Michigan, Ohio, and Kentucky these last 4 years. Growing up, I would watch the Professional Bowlers Tour (PBA) every Sunday morning and practice a few times a week. I also would research the different oil patterns and join leagues that had sport shots and PBA experience patterns.

I received a lot of help for my disability, though. Ever since 3rd grade, I used to take speech and have counseling one on one and in groups. I have had a therapist since 2003 and she has helped me with improving social skills and how to handle making important decisions and how to make friends. When I was in middle school, I was in a homeroom designed to improve my social skills and make friendships. I also met with a counselor weekly who had an IEP (Individualized Education Program) that guided me through the rest of middle school and into high school. In my junior and senior year of high school, I would have IEP meetings where my resource specialist, counselor, my dad and teachers would meet to discuss progress and short and long term goals. Without all the support, I wouldn't be able to go to college and succeed in the long run. Living the life as an Aspie makes me realize that I am different and you know what? That's ok. I am happy with who I am and no one can change that. I have grown so much since going away to college and when I graduate, I am going to work hard in this world and be all that I can be. I'm James Knapp and I have Asperger's.