? I may have autism

Yes, it's well worth looking into. But do your own research before going to a GP! There are online autism tests, some of which are the same ones the GP might do if they believe you, but it helps if you do them first, especially as the ones they use are often quite problematic for us. There are threads here discussing them if you can search. As some GPs are better than others, it does help to have more than just a vague suspicion before going there as many would not take that any further.

Good morning AuTriker.

You have been missed and I am happy to see you dipping back in here.

I've been looking and analysing bots and AI use in this place recently, and I'm 99% sure that the OP in this instance is not a real person.

A good tell (for future reference = when the OP has zero points despite having started a thread.

I don't like to see our REAL community being driven to waste their time and effort (and kindness) on lies!

Wishing you a good Thursday.

Number.

Hi Number,

Is there not a better way for you to address the situation if you suspect an account could be a bot or troll or something? I'm new to the forum so not sure how things work but could you report it to a mod for example, and they could look into it instead? I can just imagine it would feel awful if you were someone having these struggles that OP described, reaching out to an autism community forum and being accused of being a bot or telling lies as you say. Maybe there is a way to address the issue of potential troll accounts AND save people their time from responding to them, without publically accusing them in their replies and potientally causing hurt to a person already struggling.

You raise important and very reasonable questions.

In terms of what I have done in this particular thread, I noticed one of my friends and a trusted human in this place, interacting with an entity that I am 99% certain is a bot / automated post (for reasons I need not divulge here.)

In terms of what I do in general, rest assured Nat, I do not ever accuse anyone or anything of being or doing anything.  I manage my words and the interactions very carefully by default because my worry about causing offence or upset to a real human is at least as acute as your worry on that point.  A very important point indeed.

In terms of reporting a fake account or a bot account to the MODS.....neither instance is a breach of the rules of this forum, so there is NOTHING that can be done.

I hope these answers meet with your approval and understanding.  I think it is great that you have asked these questions......it shows me that you are a nice human who thinks and who is prepared to speak of their concerns.  I trust humans like you.  Nice to meet you Nat.

You raise important and very reasonable questions.

In terms of what I have done in this particular thread, I noticed one of my friends and a trusted human in this place, interacting with an entity that I am 99% certain is a bot / automated post (for reasons I need not divulge here.)

In terms of what I do in general, rest assured Nat, I do not ever accuse anyone or anything of being or doing anything.  I manage my words and the interactions very carefully by default because my worry about causing offence or upset to a real human is at least as acute as your worry on that point.  A very important point indeed.

In terms of reporting a fake account or a bot account to the MODS.....neither instance is a breach of the rules of this forum, so there is NOTHING that can be done.

I hope these answers meet with your approval and understanding.  I think it is great that you have asked these questions......it shows me that you are a nice human who thinks and who is prepared to speak of their concerns.  I trust humans like you.  Nice to meet you Nat.