I was diagnosed with Asperger's Syndrome in middle school, around '96. At that time, it was a pretty largely unheard of disorder. As the comic states, it's a neurobiological disorder, a less severe form of autism that effects mostly social behaviors.
At some point in the last few years, diagnosis of the disorder has exploded. Whereas I used to get puzzled looks when I mentioned it, I'm more likely to find scads of people diagnosed with it everywhere I go. While I've had the fortune of meeting many great people with it... my friends and the internet at large have not.

Not a week goes by without some Fandom Wank report featuring someone being a total and complete ass on a forum and then turning around to say WELL I HAVE ASPERGERS. Friends tell me often that they didn't even realize I had it until I casually mentioned it, because other people they've met with it are, to be blunt, insufferable jerks. It pisses me off more than a little.

I don't see the disorder as a scapegoat. I don't want people to feel they have to give me special treatment or forgive me for things they wouldn't forgive other people for. They did that to me in high school and you know what? It didn't help. What helped was learning to handle my own problems and facing the consequences like any 'normal' person would be expected to do. I don't think it's asking too much of others to attempt the same.

In short? Don't be an ass.