Asperger's

Thank you that makes a lot of sense.

I have found that the ability to mask requires a LOT of effort - and as you get older, you simply don't have the physical stamina to keep it up - and as the world gets infinitely more complex and stressful as you get older, the challenges of the mask get too much to keep up.

So yes, in my experience, people become 'more obviously' autistic because they just can't hide it as efficiently as they age.       It's what leads to most late-diagnosis scenarios.       I made it to 42 before my Asperger's was too obvious to hide.   I'm not 'more autistic' - but I appear more autistic because of my failing mask.

I am talking about my ex partner who has just left me. She doesn't realise she has it, but she has deteriated  in the last few years.

The last forum I became a key member of was a diabetes forum. If you read the 'literature' and research, diabetes gets worse with time. Yet, on the forum I was part of, there were lots of people getting healthier and feeling better as time went on. The information people were sharing helped people to get more informed and healthier.

I believe there is every chance for people who wish to, to learn how to overcome and deal with some of the hurdles we face.

Does it have to get worse? I don't know. Can some things/parts get better? I'm sure they can.