Speech therapy and counselling has helped Mark to overcome the social difficulties that go hand-in-hand with Asperger's syndrome, a form of autism. Now he is studying maths at university and enjoying life.VickI Green talks to him about the disability...

Leaving home to live in halls of residence at university is difficult enough for most students, but imagine living with a form of autism which makes even the most simple social activities a challenge.

Getting a place at Reading University to do a degree in Maths was a particularly poignant occasion for Mark Houston.

Mark, 19, from Bransgore, suffers from Asperger's syndrome, a form of autism which can render normal social etiquette and following instructions almost impossible for the sufferer.

At 13 years old, Mark was diagnosed with the condition.

He said: "Before I was actually diagnosed with Asperger's syndrome, I was considered to be difficult and uncontrollable.

"I was even put in an adolescent psychiatric unit for three months.

"That was a frightening experience, as there were people around me who were very disturbed and were trying to commit suicide and had some real problems.

"At that time, I felt that I was misunderstood. I wasn't mentally ill.

"I couldn't explain to people how I felt. I couldn't explain to my parents why I didn't like to go to school.

"I wanted to mix with the other kids at school but I didn't have the same social skills as they did. I couldn't empathise with them and couldn't see when people were sad.

"I was becoming aware that I didn't fit in at school but I couldn't understand why.

"I didn't have any friends at school. I couldn't carry on general chitchat with any of my peers.

"People thought I was being rude when I would give them one word answers and would give up trying to talk to me.

"I think my teachers put it down to shyness.

"My parents found it difficult. I would get so frustrated that I would become violent towards my parents and my sister.

"Often the police would have to be called out.

"People would also think I was awkward and stupid because I couldn't follow a series of instructions.

"I had numerous obsessions. When I was 13 I was very obsessed with a fish tank I had and getting the filter system working.

"It went way beyond being a normal interest. It was all I could talk about. I also became obsessed with newspapers and discussing their political stance.

"It was very off-putting for people to talk to me and for me to only discuss that.

"When I was diagnosed with Asperger syndrome it was a relief for all of us to actually put a name to the difficulties I was having and to be able to put it all into a context.

"At 15 I went to a special needs boarding school and I had speech and language therapy.

"I also had anger management counselling.

"I had to learn how to cope with my condition. For instance I like structure as I have a very logical way of thinking, so each day for me has to be structured.

"When I had the correct support my obsessions seemed to go.

"I still have a strong interest in politics but it certainly is not an obsession anymore.

"I have had to learn how to make eye contact with people.

"And I have had to learn to understand people's facial expression, and even learn to have empathy. I have had to learn how to have a conversation too.

"Getting my place at university was fantastic as I have always been good at maths - it is such a logical subject so I could follow it.

"I receive a disabled student's allowance which has enabled me to buy a mini-disc player so I can record lectures to go over them again.

"I also bought a computer so I can work at my halls of residence rather than the library as it is very distracting for me there.

"I have friends at university but I don't take part in the usual student nightlife.

"My parents insisted when I started that I should give it a go so I did. I found it too noisy and I didn't like the crowds.

"I also didn't like it because it was dark, so I couldn't see people properly and I don't like people when they are drunk as they are so fake.

"I really can't understand why people enjoy it so much. It seems strange to me.

"My brain only processes at two per cent of the speed of a normal person, so things still are difficult for me.

"People with Asperger's Syndrome want to be included in society and we don't want to be alienated.

"A lot of people with the condition try to deny that they have it as they want to be like everyone else.

"Through Hampshire Autistic Society I give a lot of talks about autism awareness which has helped me to work in a group and has improved my confidence.

"Asperger's syndrome can never be cured but it is something I have learnt to cope with."