Asperger's Syndrome: Sam Green's Story

Video Transcript

SAM GREEN: My name is Sam. I have NLD, and I was probably diagnosed around nine. Non-verbal learning disability. I didn't notice the symptoms until my parents had me diagnosed. All my life I've had a pretty bad memory. I can remember certain things. Sometimes I remember the important things. Sometimes I remember really random facts. I really don't remember anything until they actually found out that I have NLD. It wasn't a big deal to me. I mean, when I was nine, I didn't even know what the hell that was. I really never understood what they're talking about. Throughout my life, I've had a not-so-great memory, so that's one of the reasons I don't remember. I believe, even before I found out, and we found out that I had NLD, I was having occupational therapy and adaptive physical education, so I had a normal PE and APE. In OT, they would take me out and they would work on my motor skills, like my writing. My friends and family most likely gave me the most emotional and moral support. I mean, the principals of my schools, the occupational therapists, the therapists were always there if you needed them. If you needed a therapist, you got your teacher to call them. The OT, the occupational therapist, probably will come and get you once or twice a week. My mom is probably responsible--no, definitely responsible for all this. She has fought for me over the years, fought to keep me having OT, fought to keep me having APE--keeping therapists. So my mom has helped me a lot. When I found out, it really didn't affect me that much. I still feel like just who I am, a normal kid, so it's no big deal. I have to say because part of brain has developed faster and quicker over the years than the other part of my brain, that's related to how well and how quickly I can program and design video games, the creative half has developed quicker than the writing and the temper half, the part that controls my motor skills and my anger management. I really have to say it doesn't change you at all. And there will always be people out there who have some things a lot worse than you, and that you really want to find somebody who will be able to help you and be there for you and get you the services that you need.