It is possible, but I think that it requires two things, to be able to perceive and adapt to a reasonable extent to the methods and norms of the majority in society, and to be able to do this without harming yourself to any great extent in the process.
I have developed into a sort of social chameleon, I can adapt to most social environments, except when I get sensory overload. I worked for years on mass spectrometers. These instruments have noisy high vacuum pumps and tend to be grouped together in large rooms. I used ear-plugs, but that made conversations with colleagues very difficult, so I often had to put up with the noise - until I couldn't. Then I would have to sit somewhere quiet with no people for half an hour before being able to work again.
For 99+% of the time I can pass as neurotypical, which is the main reason I reached 59 without a diagnosis - a diagnosis I sought after self-diagnosing. I actively scan other people and adapt myself to the company I am in. If an autistic person can do this, I think a reasonably happy life is possible. I am fairly happy with mine, so far. I do not think that being an autistic that fits seamlessly into neurotypical society should be a prerequisite for a happy life, but I fear that it often is.
It is possible, but I think that it requires two things, to be able to perceive and adapt to a reasonable extent to the methods and norms of the majority in society, and to be able to do this without harming yourself to any great extent in the process.
I have developed into a sort of social chameleon, I can adapt to most social environments, except when I get sensory overload. I worked for years on mass spectrometers. These instruments have noisy high vacuum pumps and tend to be grouped together in large rooms. I used ear-plugs, but that made conversations with colleagues very difficult, so I often had to put up with the noise - until I couldn't. Then I would have to sit somewhere quiet with no people for half an hour before being able to work again.
For 99+% of the time I can pass as neurotypical, which is the main reason I reached 59 without a diagnosis - a diagnosis I sought after self-diagnosing. I actively scan other people and adapt myself to the company I am in. If an autistic person can do this, I think a reasonably happy life is possible. I am fairly happy with mine, so far. I do not think that being an autistic that fits seamlessly into neurotypical society should be a prerequisite for a happy life, but I fear that it often is.
