Mysha,
I don't know you but from your posts I gather that you are either autistic or have Asburger's Syndrome. If so, you are considerably higher functioning than my niece who communicates through a keyboard only with constant support from professionals seven days a week in her home and at a special school as well. Recognizing her special needs with Autism Month is a blessing for her, her parents and the thousands of other people affected by autism.
As has been discussed here numerous times, autism is a spectrum of symptoms ranging from mild to severe. Some complete college and go on to have brilliant careers. Some like my niece fight a constant battle just to remain connected with today's reality - by that I mean the world she survives in. I sometimes wonder if it would be kinder to let her slip away into her own reality.
You have already formed relationships with people here on Mudcat. The description of "so different from most other people that meaningful relations in my life are next to impossible" fits many with autism. Maybe not you.
Recognizing the burden autism places on many families is a good thing. Making the public aware so that they can at least empathize if not support local families dealing with autism is a good thing. If it means that parents will remind their children that each of us is different and we need to accept each other, it is a good thing.
If it means that people will be made aware of successful individuals with autism who contribute daily to make this a better world, that is great.
As part of Autism Month the newspapers and online sites have been featuring stories on autism. Friday featured a young boy who is a genious in Physics and is revisiting Einstein's theory of relativity and expanding on it. He is solving equations that have baffled experts for years. His story hopefully will open doors for others.
Just some musings.
Mary