Most of my grandparents were gonners before I was old enough to know
what they were like. I never even met my peternal grandfather.

Both my parents were loners though, but that could come from improper
parenting. It's very hard isn't it? I'm still vexed over the question
of whether my 'condition' is AS or not. I'm intrigued by this whole
argument of nature and nurture, as it is effectively the key to where
I stand.

I'd love to discuss it all with a psychiatrist/psychologist, but
after someone I know had a particularly bad experience with one in
the past (to cut a long story short, a mother slapped a hysterical
child once, across the face, and ended up with a referral to social
services) I'm loathe to let them near me (I hasten to add that I have
nothing to hide - I just don't trust their judgement).