Autism and ageing

You pose an interesting question. Growing up "weird"...in the days when "being on the spectrum" was unknown, I got used to being happy to be by myself. Not that I do not enjoy people - I can, and I do - but after being told literally thousands of times growing up : "You're weird" it is not surprising that I was also happy being by myself, reading, or other solitary activities. As a kid I was able to hit a baseball well, so I was always selected to be on a team, and had semi-friendships with teammates but never really fit in. Over the years, I learned to mask/fake/fool others better and better. I got along ok, and it has been 15 years since anyone told me flat out: "you're weird" so I consider that success. However, now that I am retired, I am very ok doing "my stuff" by myself most days. My wife encourages me to get out more (socially) as she is still working but I am pretty ok with the occasional social interactions. She, being a female, and a much more socially inclined (and NT) person does not quite "get" that I am OK with just me in the house most days. However, the best part of her is that she accepts me as I am and may nudge a bit but never pushes me to do something I'm not inclined to do. So, your final comment was that we aspies may find life easier after paid work ends.....well, true for me. And far from rich, I don't worry too much about money, thank goodness.

I agree with you in that people who are comfortable being along and can entertain themselves have an easier time with retirement. And not to take a counterpoint but to add another perspective, my dad is neurodiverse (he doesn't know it, lol) and he struggles mightily with retirement. I don't think it's the aspect of being around less people but more so that his identity and worth were tied up in it. He also has many other issues but I think they stem from masking undiagnosed autism.

Thankfully, I enjoy working and time alone. When my time comes to retire, I will enjoy less stress and more time to purse my interests but until then I enjoy the challenge and thrill of my work and find purpose in it.

And I also agree that a lot of neurodivergent people will fall into the category of folks that are loving retirement and being left alone!