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.