Published on 12, July, 2020
I don't know whether it's because I'm not a pure autistic person, I also have severe mental illness, but I find it hard to fit in here. Others here seem to have no difficulty bonding with each other, and chatting like they've known each other for many years. That's a great social skill to have., but one I don't have. For want of a better phrase I'd say other posters here are 'socially adept' in a way I'll never be. They lead far more high powered lives.
They have/have had good careers . Have good academic qualifications. I never had a paid job, and only did a bit of voluntary work. My academic qualifications stopped at 6 O levels. I've never pursued further education due to bullying related trauma. I have to have a lot of practical support because of poor adaptive functioning ability.
The open discourse here and lack of judgement are some of the best social qualities. But, I don't feel 'bonded' to anyone. It does make me happy to help others.
I've heard others say some of the same things you've communicated. I really hope to see better alternate schooling and even summer camps for Autistic and other ND kids someday. Something I'm actively discussing with academics about.
SUPERSTAR!!
What incredible good work you're doing, anything like that is so important to move things along.
I will say though, I'm not "bonded" to anyone here either. There are some familiar names which pop up, but I don't have any "friends" here. That's not to say that I wouldn't accept an offer from someone, but I have a strange relationship with the internet, I completely accept I'm talking to a real human being right now, but it's such a weird way to do things.
I have had best friends in life, but because I don't see them anymore, then they're no longer my friends. I'm not sure what it is, but if I don't physically interact with someone, then they aren't real to me.
I would have had to qualify that statement in the past with "hey I know I'm weird, but...", yet now I know it's an element of Autism and the perception of human interactions, so I'm totally cool with it.
I have a daughter, ALL of her friends are online friends from all over the world - I can honestly say I have absolutely no idea how she manages it all, bizarre