A couple articles on autism

[Rectify]

On the ABC news website today (Australia):
We need to stop perpetuating the myth that children grow out of autism

Also, that article linked to this one (which I also found good):
The Consequences of Compensation in Autism

I can definitely relate to the negative consequences of trying to mask.

 

[Nervous Rex]

From the second article:

Respondents described mimicking others’ behaviors (based on personal observation or even films or television), planning ahead for conversations (such as asking others questions instead of talking about themselves), forcing themselves to make and maintain eye contact, consciously trying to display facial expressions that expressed certain emotions, and suppressing behavior like stimming.

I don't remember them interviewing me, but clearly they must have. I do every single one of these behaviors.

Either that, or I'm not alone.

 

[Nervous Rex]

Also, that article linked to this one (which I also found good):
The Consequences of Compensation in Autism

There are a slew of autism articles on that site, at this level: https://www.neurologyadvisor.com/topics/autism-spectrum-disorder/

It's a rabbit hole that definitely I want to fall into when I have the time.

 

[Rectify]

I don't remember them interviewing me, but clearly they must have.

I loved that

I don't recall as much the facial expression thing...which makes me wonder whether I was getting it right naturally or if all my life people have wondered about me But the other things - yes.
Also, it IS exhausting. I'm middle-aged now and I am literally so exhausted with trying that I've backed out of much of it. I'm a homebody. Home's great because I can be myself and don't have to struggle.

 

[Nervous Rex]

Also, it IS exhausting. I'm middle-aged now and I am literally so exhausted with trying that I've backed out of much of it.

100% yes. I've shared this several times on this forum. Here I go again: When the counselor was writing my formal diagnosis and documenting what I had to do to get by, he thought to himself, "No wonder he's tired all the time."