Possibly autistic, mainly asking about sex and sensory overload

It's a complex mix, isn't it? Sensory sensitivity and potential traits on the spectrum could definitely play a role. It might be worth exploring and discussing with a professional to get a clearer picture.

Thank you

Awesome enjoy your weekend too

I'm a straight woman I thought I was a freak too, then I started considering later on that it was probably autism-related the whole time. Thank you - he's lovely  You're welcome - hope you enjoy the rest of the weekend.

That is interesting thank you! are you gay yourself or straight may I ask? just being nosey haha. Oo that seems very similar to me then with the personal space overload issue, its such a relief to hear it could actually be related to a condition and not that im a freak lol. Makes it easier if I decide to tell my boyfriend. Awh I am glad you two are happy together! Yes I shall have to experiment and find what I like and do not like thanks! I am so happy I have found this forum :) thanks and enjoy your day! 

Thank you Plastic that is such a fantastic reply! yes it is all fluid and I shouldnt have to label myself (a whole separate issue where I think I dont act gay enough) I am deffo attracted to men and not women, and have now got a boyfriend but yes feeling accepted is nice for sure! 

Thanks yes I shall fill it in when I get some time :P awesome I am sure you will find that special person soon! 

You might well be autistic - some of the traits you've described do sound like they could be attributed to autism.

I found that I was really averse to being touched and felt that being in close contact with men was very uncomfortable (I questioned my sexuality at one point too, but now I realise it was mostly a personal space/overload issue). Now that I'm with my current (male) partner, I'm really happy with him and we do have a close relationship; it just took me longer than most to build-up to that stage (even hugging took me a while to get used to, but now I love a good hug!). It also takes time to learn how you like to be touched and it's important to communicate that (light touch is really uncomfortable for me, but firm touch is absolutely fine).

It sounds like you've found someone who's willing to take it slow, so that's great. Just take things at your speed, do what you feel comfortable with, and see what happens.

Hope it goes well with the new man :)

You're only 22 so your experience is all based around anxiety and worrying about all sorts of things that are spoiling your sex.   The current fashion is that it's practically mandatory to be something other than straight and you're forced to label yourself long before you actually have the experience to know what you really like.   It's all fluid and you're allowed to change your mind and be whatever you like.

Do you know what you like or are you putting yourself into positions where you just feel accepted by others?  

Whilst I still haven't yet had a girlfriend, I would like one in the future. When I have found the right woman for me. :)

Hello to you too! I have to admit that I cannot stand baked beans (Odd I know), I'm not sure why (I must have been done to death with them when I was a bairn!). If you fill in your profile, I'm sure that you will meet others like yourself.

Thank you for your reply.

Awesome its nice to meet you :) oh sure ill give it a read! Ive not done my profile yet.  That is intresting! We seem pritty similar there! Whilst you havent had a gf you do want one? 

Hello and welcome! I have also recently come onto the forum, having been diagnosed with Level 2 ASD. Please do feel free to ask any questions and read my profile. I'm sure that everyone on here will give their best advice.

I have been a fussy eater from a young age. I am not a particularly "Huggy" person, unless the mood catches me. I have never even had a girlfriend.

Ive only had 3 weeks so far so yeah a month probably is long term! Ahh I see, im a very open person so feel like I should mention that perhaps I love hugs and being close and that kissing is secondary for me. Oo are people generally okay when you mention that perhaps the touching is a little intense? This is very reassuring thank you :) 

Well, it would be fair to say that I'm not very experienced in such matters (first long-term relationship when I was 45 - if a month counts as "long-term"!), so take what I say with a pinch of salt! I've never told anyone that I don't get a buzz out of kissing, though I've been a bit more open about my touch sensitivity. I don't find kissing revolting, either, so I've always been happy to try to give a bit of pleasure and not spoil it for my partner, I suppose.

Everyone seems so friendly! Thank you so much for the advice :) That is reassuring to hear tbh :) I have thought about joining a forum for about a year but it wasnt until this sexual stuff that made me decided to go for it. can I ask since its similar for you, do you still kiss and does your partner know its not a turn on? yes I am diagnosed and on medication for anxiety (all siblings have the same social anxiety especially in group settings and the other sibling with autism also has been diagnosed with selective mutism). Yes I shall deffo stick around :)

oh that is a great point, I am doing a masters in zoo conservation biology so I should be fine :) yes I may wait and see, I think I am still learning to associate some of my behaviours as potentially being autistic. That is awesome I am happy a diagnosis has helped you out! I am sure you will continue moving forward in a positive direction :) Yes I think more people need educating that it is a spectrum disorder and to keep an eye out for it in kids.

Sensory differences are certainly common for autistic people; they can affect any sense (often more than just one), and can include either being very sensitive or being very insensitive (sometimes both for the same person at different times or for different stimuli). I've never seen anything reported or in any forum discussions to suggest that it's correlated with one's sexuality or gender identity in any way. FWIW, I'm hetero, and I've experienced similar anxiety about my touch sensitivity, and your description of kissing is pretty similar to how I feel about it.

Exhaustion from socialising is common too, though it's common also for people with social anxiety. Tip-toe walking might be a clue; considering how diverse autistic people are, I've always been struck by how common that specific thing is - I'm a toe-walker myself, especially if I'm feeling a big agitated.

It's a lovely open-minded community here, and you don't need to have a diagnosis to join in. If you hang around a while and ask whatever questions come to mind, you'll soon see a clearer picture of how much autism might or might not explain things.

there are some jobs where autism rules u out eg army navy RAF so dont get a diagnosis if that is where u want to work.

no need to mention to new partner for a while at least. See if he notices your oddities and brings it up. that is useful evidence to you and to mention in a diagnosis.

Getting a diagnosis helped me quite a bit, as it explained some of my bad behaviours which I didn't ever like. It has made me more stable  because i know what i have and can get help from right people like in here. I needed a diagnosis for my work to explain my resistance to change and the different way I learn and react. Autism is very personal in that it effects each person differently but you will hear people in hear says things that are exactly like u which is comforting and u can get tips / tricks/ work-arounds. I watch videos online mainly youtube of personal experiences of autistic people as well.

Getting a diagnosis varies greatly depending on where you live  in some places it seems a real pain mine was ok but i was in still in shock for a month afterwards. 

I also got my diagnosis to show that my nephew ( ASD ) he is not the only one in our family and so my children are aware its around in our family.

that is very interesting thank you! do you think I should do anything about it or just carry on? Should I mention any of this to my new potential partner?