BAKERSFIELD, Calif. -- A local business owner has spent her whole life dealing with the effects of Asperger’s syndrome, which is mild variant high-functioning form of autism.

Gabrielle Lopez said that for many years, she and doctors tried to figure out why she believed she was different from other people. Lopez said she has dealt with social interaction problems since she was young.

Finally, after years of misdiagnoses, including bipolar disorder, Lopez was diagnosed with Asperger’s syndrome.

People living with Asperger’s are usually characterized by social isolation and eccentric behavior in childhood.

But she hasn't let that stop her. Lopez opened up the trendy vintage clothing store, Bad Girl Designs three years ago at the Golden State Mall. She makes cigar box purses using pop culture images and even blends her own all-natural soaps and lip balms. She also makes buttons, jewelry, T-shirts and more in a lab located in the back of her store.

She even has come up with ideas to help kids learn good hygiene. She places popular kid-oriented lip balm and bracelets in the center of soap so young girls will be eager to wash their hands and get to the prizes.

While admitting she isn’t very organized, which is a typical Asperger’s trait, Lopez said she does the best she can in organizing items in her packed store. She also said that by having a store it’s a way she can stay focused and deal with having Asperger’s syndrome.

Lopez also said that one of her main focuses is to educate others about the high-functioning form of autism. She spoke to parents of Asperger’s kids recently. "It’s not like a horrible thing that you have Asperger’s,” she said. “It’s not awful. I got married and I have the store … You can have a life, a productive life.”

Next up for Lopez, she says she is working on a book about her life.

Bad Girl Designs is located in suite #141 at the Golden State Mall, which is at 3201 F Street.