Where Are The Normal People?

It is a reasonable question to ask.  These days, it seems like everyone has something - autism, ADHD, lactose intolerance, peanut allergies, gluten allergies, or shellfish allergies. 

Did these always exist?  Maybe. 

I was sure that my guy was "normal" - with the exception of the peanut allergy.  But the truth is that he has a hard time making eye contact with strangers, has a VERY hard time warming up to other kids, and he has a nervous tic.  Has he been screened for autism?  Yes.  Many times.  He doesn't have it, but he might have something.  They say that another mark for autism might be exceptional intelligence in one area; my son is brilliant in math, but he is also brilliant in English, Geography, languages, and science too.  He is not an across the board genius, as he is at his grade level for certain things, but he is clever.

But might something be going on with him?  Maybe.  A dear friend of mine who has an a borderline autistic son (who is also brilliant, polite, and oh-so sweet) mentioned that he might have a little something.  I believe her.  But what can I do if he doesn't fit the hallmarks of autism?  I guess that what I will have to do is help him strengthen the areas where he is weak, which is socialization.  The nervous tics might take some time to go away on their own, though. 

But back to my original thought - where are the "normal" people?  The truth is that I don't know if I am related to one or not. 

Take me for instance.  I was so shy growing up (and lactose intolerant).  I had the hardest time meeting new people and did awfully in new situations (I was not homeschooled, had an older sister, a younger brother and lots of family members around).  In first grade, I would walk home every single day before the end of class because I could not handle the pressures of school.  How did I do in class?  Very well, actually.  It came very easy to me.  The administrators at my school caught on to my game during second grade, though, and made me stay all day.  I made maybe two friends that year. 

My shyness continued through my childhood (I talked to myself a lot), through adolescence and into adulthood as well.  I did well enough in school, though, and left home at the age of 17 (for the Navy) and never went back.  As an adult, I've learned to work around my shyness and my introversion (though I develop a stutter if I am in uncomfortable situations).  Nothing makes me happier than being at home alone (and with my husband and son), though. 

My husband was also shy growing up, but did not speak to nothing as I did.  He is actually a pretty straight arrow. 

My mother, however, is another story.  She has a viciously bad temper.  She gets downright petulant and hard to tolerate when she gets angry.  However, she is a social butterfly.  Never have I met someone as gregarious as she.  I've often wondered if she's had a touch of something. 

My father is a hard core introvert.  Leave him alone with his TV and he is good.  I get a lot of my nature from him.  However, he does not share my shyness issues.  He was very popular at school and highly athletic. 

So, where are they?  Where are the "normal" people?  Do they exist?  Did they ever exist?  Do they wrestle with issues that have nothing to do with their physiology?  Or is our world simply building different people?

I know; I'm going off on an adaptation/anthropology tangent here. 

Still, I think that the "non normal" people might soon outnumber the "normal" people.  But maybe that is okay.  Maybe the world will change to accommodate us - the non normal people.