Wanting to meet autistic people to build a friendship with

There seems to be a common experience when people find out they are autistic. I could use a guide with some pointers on how to handle things.

That has to be a good phd topic for some young psychologist. 

That's round about the same waiting time as my area too. I'm glad you got through the referral stage as apparently it's quite difficult to get on a waiting list (it all doesn't make much sense).

I've found open communication and honesty is a great start to interacting with others but it's finding the right people who will educate themselves about autism and more specifically how autism presents itself in you to have that communication with. Through my experience so far, learning who your "safe" people and "unsafe" people are is very important to know so you're not overly exhausting yourself by interacting with them.

I agree, it changes your whole view on your life, childhood and into adulthood and then present. Also how you interact and noticing when you're masking/unmasking is a validating experience.

I'm glad talking to other autistic people on here is helping you and hopefully it will continue whilst you're waiting for your formal diagnosis.

When i contacted the GP and got the initial referral, the wait list was 2 to 3 years .... so i have a way to go yet.  

If you manage to figure out how to interact with people, please let me know! :-) 

I was fairly sure i was autistic for the last couple of years. i am very surprised at the psychological difference in how it has affected me, now that i am certain. That realization that i am completely lost when it comes to meaningful interaction with people.  

This board is really helping though ... knowing there are others out there who experience the same thing certainly make me fell more normal and less 'broken' somehow.

I'm sorry that's been your experience, it's quite difficult to be diagnosed by the system (which makes no sense to me). Do you know how long the waiting list is in your area? As I know it's different for everyone.

Self diagnosis is completely valid and hopefully you have found clarity with that knowledge as you know yourself best! I can understand that, I'm still figuring out how to interact with others, it's especially hard to interact with others who haven't done much research to educate themselves to help us feel accepted during our journey.

I have suspected for some time. I tried to get assessed 10 years or so ago, but was incorrectly told i wasnt after a 15 minute interview.   I have tried again and have been on the nhs wait list for 6 months or so now.

Regardless of the outcome there, i know i am autistic.  I did a whole bunch of research recently that has confirmed it ... unfortunately i am having a hard time reconfiguring my brain to this new reality and how i need to intetact with people.

Thank you for commenting Touay, when did you first realise you might be autistic? For me I started researching a year & half ago, tried 3 times to get on the NHS waiting list but was dismissed due to previous diagnosis's of OCD, anxiety and panic disorder. Finally I decided to go privately!

Hi. Newly self diagnosed (on the wait list for formal diagnosis) late 40s male .. in much the same boat.