Before speaking on the behalf of all those with this terrible disorder, here is my story: I am an eleventh grader who's had difficulties growing up in elementary school. There was harassment, physical aggression, even people telling me to go kill myself. This kind of stuff discouraged me from socializing with people. These repeated attacks ended around eighth grade. By the beginning of my tenth grade year, I saw myself becoming more respected; at least I thought. I met this girl in early December. I'd really gotten to know her (I thought). We talked a lot, and I developed feelings for her by the middle of January. When I asked her out two weeks after I'd come to the realization and feared rejection, my fear was confirmed, and I was five days late. We talked even more after this, and we started getting personal with each other. By the time she was done with him in July, it really messed her up. Last week, she was supposedly talking to her classmates about people they disliked. Then my name was mentioned by her. She went on to discuss how she thought I was really weird and creepy because I would text her once a month. I couldn't believe it when I heard from my friend I was being backstabbed: just for looking out for someone I cared about. I hate bending over backwards for people, then getting -blam!-ed in the ass. This was just so unethical after how close we were. I cared for her and tried comforting her after her boyfriend cheated on her, and this is my reward. She knew I have autism, too. I'm afraid everyone is going to turn against me. I did nothing wrong. Whenever she and her friends laugh, I feel so insecure. I'm always afraid it is about me. This psycho has gotten me all paranoid and cynical. This feels like the Red Scare all over again. Why are people taking advantage of me for my differences? I'm growing sick and tired of this cruel world. There is no telling how much more I can take. I feel hopeless. I've already accepted getting out of high school a complete virgin, but I don't want to become nothing in the eyes of society. I foresee contempt everywhere I walk. I don't want to have a repeat of elementary school. I wish my life would matter to others around me. That is all I want as someone who struggles though life, wishing people would stop hurting him. Without further ado, here are my statements: I'm sick and tired of people looking at autistic people as deformities; sub-humans; jokes. Why can't we accept the differences of others if those people discriminated against cannot help who they are? Do you think that that person sitting alone with his head pointing at the ground is proud of his identity? Do you think they feel like a contribution to society? How would you feel if they woke up one morning, thinking about how they're unwanted in society, and took their own life? Would you be proud of yourself for taking someone's life in your hand and crushing it? Autism is a disorder everyone should be sensitive about. It is no laughing matter.