I was trying to describe to a friend of mine how an autistic person (like me) approaches making friends.
She was asking me about all the outrageous things I have said in the past even back when I didn't know her that well.
This is the analogy that came to mind. I am curious if this analogy resonates with other autistic people here on the forum?
This is what I told my friend:
--------------------------------------------
Autistic people need to test the boundaries in order to learn where they are.
It is a Catch 22.
That is why I am more easy-going with you than I would be with somebody else whose boundaries I haven't tested.
The problem is that autistic people never get offended and we actually find the act of being offended is very passive aggressive.
As such - we secretly don't like those people who are easily offended or feel comfortable around them.
However, it is this testing of boundaries that often gets us into trouble.
It is because we cannot read body language or connect with people organically through emotions.
We approach people in the same way that bomb disposal experts approach unexploded bombs.
We have to cut a few wires in order to see how somebody ticks.
-----------------------------------------
Can anyone else relate to this analogy?
Cheers!
Mr "Sad That Derek Has Left" (private joke with me and my friend - I am going to get her to read the responses to this post)