I can't relate to most autistic people

That's a pretty Autistic post in and of itself in my opinion...

And whilst waiting for your turn to "get off your face, and get laid", why not, maybe, find ways to use your time either profitably, enjoyably or in the service of others?

Or any combination you can manage! Fill the time in between the empty experiences with worthwhile ones..

Autistic post?

I don't deny I have autism. I know I do it just feels much milder in a lot of ways than other people. I think a lot of it is cancelled out by the ADHD.I certainly have never had "meltdowns" or anything like that

Yep. I've read a LOT of Autists output now, and it qualifies for me based on content alone. It's not a criticism or praise, simply an observation.

As for "meltdowns" I could say the same, except I am known for having something of a temper, and privately have admitted to my self that sometime life gets overwhelming and I NEED to retreat for a while from some situations and get my head together.

For the first 59 years before my diagnosis, I got very skilled at rationalising my emotions away and trying my damndest to just keep going, and ignore the internal cacophony at times. Now I know a lot more about who I am and why I am (and vastly more important to me), I don't keep getting blindsided by weaknesses  that I have previously been unable to admit to possessing. 

Thanks for responding with such care to the issues I had raised.  You seem to have disappeared from this place?  Pity to loose a fellow pea from this pod.  You still out there?

For the last few weeks, I have been accessing free counselling services through IAPT following a referral from my GP (in Greater Manchester) as a treatment for depression. I have done counselling several times before with not so much in terms of lasting effects. Through these sessions, though, we have approached my mental health from the perspective of ASD and associated social anxiety. So far this seems to be far more effective as we gradually get to understand what my main difficulties are and work out appropriate ways of tackling them. For the first time, I feel like I am actually addressing and alleviating my struggles in social situations, whereas before I was a bit hopeless in thinking that I have this issue that means that I will never be good in social scenarios. I'm by no means out of the woods yet but for me this has had a very positive impact on how I think about my ASD. Similarly, I feel I don't relate with some of the stereotypes of people with ASD- I'm not into Dungeons and Dragons or Marvel, I'm a keen electric guitarist and actor, and I do appreciate time spent with other people. It should be said that I do conform in some other ways such as the fact that I have followed a pretty academic route, but I have always felt like I was somewhere in between the stereotypes of "neurotypical" and "neurodivergent". As has been said before, there is no one-size-fits-all description of what autism is. The most positive way I try to think about it is my brain is wired up ever so slightly differently to most people but I'm better for it. I don't conform to thinking or behaving the same as everyone else and that means that I am truly an individual following my own path. Anyway enouh of the ramble. Most of this might not apply to your situation but I just wanted to share my personal experiences and how I'm dealing with things in case it happens to be useful. Best of luck in working stuff out. 

That is very encouraging to hear.  Thank you.

Partially. I needed to read a few books and absorb other people's wisdom to even get to 59, relatively unscathed. Post diagnosis,the increased understanding of my situation has made me much better adjusted and content with myself and my achievements. The best thing being that I no longer break my promises so much, due to "unexpected circumstance".or "personal unreliability"

Partially. I needed to read a few books and absorb other people's wisdom to even get to 59, relatively unscathed. Post diagnosis,the increased understanding of my situation has made me much better adjusted and content with myself and my achievements. The best thing being that I no longer break my promises so much, due to "unexpected circumstance".or "personal unreliability"

Thanks for responding with such care to the issues I had raised.  You seem to have disappeared from this place?  Pity to loose a fellow pea from this pod.  You still out there?

For the last few weeks, I have been accessing free counselling services through IAPT following a referral from my GP (in Greater Manchester) as a treatment for depression. I have done counselling several times before with not so much in terms of lasting effects. Through these sessions, though, we have approached my mental health from the perspective of ASD and associated social anxiety. So far this seems to be far more effective as we gradually get to understand what my main difficulties are and work out appropriate ways of tackling them. For the first time, I feel like I am actually addressing and alleviating my struggles in social situations, whereas before I was a bit hopeless in thinking that I have this issue that means that I will never be good in social scenarios. I'm by no means out of the woods yet but for me this has had a very positive impact on how I think about my ASD. Similarly, I feel I don't relate with some of the stereotypes of people with ASD- I'm not into Dungeons and Dragons or Marvel, I'm a keen electric guitarist and actor, and I do appreciate time spent with other people. It should be said that I do conform in some other ways such as the fact that I have followed a pretty academic route, but I have always felt like I was somewhere in between the stereotypes of "neurotypical" and "neurodivergent". As has been said before, there is no one-size-fits-all description of what autism is. The most positive way I try to think about it is my brain is wired up ever so slightly differently to most people but I'm better for it. I don't conform to thinking or behaving the same as everyone else and that means that I am truly an individual following my own path. Anyway enouh of the ramble. Most of this might not apply to your situation but I just wanted to share my personal experiences and how I'm dealing with things in case it happens to be useful. Best of luck in working stuff out. 

That is very encouraging to hear.  Thank you.