Normal for an Asperger: notions of the meanings of diagnoses among adults with Asperger syndrome.

Bertilsdotter Rosqvist (2012) talked with 14 Swedish adults who have Asperger syndrome. She asked how they feel about the label and what it means to them.

The chats were open-ended. People told stories about work, friends, and daily life. The author then looked for common themes in the words they used.

The adults did not see Asperger as a problem. They said it is simply 'normal for an Asperger.' The label became a proud identity, not a deficit.

They swapped medical talk for cultural talk. One man said, 'We are a tribe.' This self-view helped them ask for fair support at work and school.

Havercamp (2017) built on this idea. The team made the 22-item Autism Spectrum Identity Scale. It turns the proud stories Hanna heard into numbers you can track.

Danforth et al. (2010) shows the flip side. Fifty years ago professionals called the same group 'uneducable.' Kirk’s old speeches pushed hurtful labels. Hanna’s adults are taking the label back.

Reid (2020) warns us to watch our own field. PBS and ABA still fight over words and roles. Hanna’s work says: listen first, then speak—clients already have their own strong words.

When an adult client says, 'I’m an Aspie and proud,' echo the pride. Note it in the file and use it in goal setting. Identity strength can boost cooperation and cut stigma during social-skills training or job coaching.