When some parents receive their child's diagnosis of Asperger's Syndrome, they may despair. On occasion, the family may perceive the diagnosis as hopeless or something that induces shame. Their rationale may be driven by several factors:

• Insensitive presentation by a physician who focuses on disabilities

• Rumors and stereotypes about people with differences, including Asperger's Syndrome

• No access to literature or other educational materials that present a balanced perspective

• Projected anxieties about the child's future lack of independence and failure in adult life

• Conflicting pressures about proper childrearing from family, neighbors, or friends

• Conflicting pressures about proper intervention and support from doctors and other professionals

• No previous exposure to people with differences who live well-adjusted, content lives

• No opportunities for contact with families in similar situations who are enjoying their child with Asperger's

The media also have a responsibility to endeavor to demonstrate sensitivity when it comes to differences among people, but they rarely do. Instead, it is typical for reporters to widen the gap of our collective differences by using “us and them” language. It fuels the incorrect and improper perception that nondisabled or neurotypical people are superior to those labeled as “poor unfortunates who struggle miserably.” One journalist recently described Asperger's Syndrome as “a neurological malady that dooms many of its victims to a lonely life and dead-end jobs despite higher-than-average intelligence.” It is astounding that in this day and age this actual quote was published as an acceptable description of someone's way of being. Additionally, the journalist has generalized many people with Asperger's Syndrome by reducing them to “victims” who are doomed.