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Hi,

Welcome John, I too was diagnosed late I was 29 almost 30. I feel I should have worked out there was something different about me. The reason I was diagnosed as a child is due to my family life being ... ah ... I'll go with unusual so my behaviour & depression was attributed to that. My mother has apologised for not noticing. But I am rabbling again I do that too much lately, welcome it is a very supportive friendly place here.
 
Joel, I always knew I was different but I never knew why and until recently I did not know anyone else was similar. It has been a very isolating experience at times. Thank you for the welcome :)
 
I always knew I was different too but way lead to believe I was just damaged by what happened when I was a child. It is so good to learn that it is not because I'm as good at coping as others in my family but that my brain is wired differently.
 
I am not going to pry into your history but my coping mechanism has always been to withdraw. I avoid conflict wherever possible and I think this part of the reason I was overlooked for so long and my condition not recognised by family or any professionals.
 
I ran away a lot when I was a kid. Once after throwing a cement block at someone I ran off & walked halfway across Newcastle (Australia) to my father work. I think I was in grade 2.
 
I did run away once but sleeping rough on busy streets is not fun. I never felt safe and there was too many people wanting to talk to me when I only did it to be alone.
I get more peace in solitude and by withdrawing than I find in the company of others.
 
I always stupidly returned in a few hour or so and most often I would go somewhere natural with trees and water to de-stress.
 
I walk at night to destress. No people and I get to look at the stars. I also have a strange quirk that when I look up I tend to forget what I am doing so stargazing helps after long days too.
 
The first time I walked around a large creek nearish my home in Mackay when I was 14, I was wearing ugg boots because I ran away close to midnight. It is so peaceful to walk at night.
 
I wear walking boots all the time even if going shopping. They are comfortable and I hate to feel things beneath my feet. Obviously I would never go into a city centre at night as there are too many noises and people. I am more worried about that than my safety if I went.
 
After leaving school I wore boot every where including the beach, that did get some reaction however. I was known as the weird guy who wore boots on the beach by my younger sisters friends. Apparently I have even feel asleep while wearing boots. I never thought until now that it is because of any thing to do with AS I always just thought I'm peculiar
 
I think I need something that keeps me grounded and is constant. Walking boots do that.
I sleep in an onesie during the winter and feel safe in one. I would never leave the house in an onesie but I do like the feel of one.
 
I generally wear something to bed I wound feel fine leaving the house often I don't get changed for bed. Ido have some baggy light cloths I call pyjamas. I have felt like I need to be ready to run always & I hate feeling trapped.
 
I would prefer to be trapped at home than out on the streets again.
I only walk on streets I know at night and know I will see very few if any people.
 
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