I realize this is a bit personal, but I found it very difficult to express love and affection toward family and friends in the past, but now it's easier for me to do so. It felt like struggling against a bag of heavy liquid pulling me down and pushing me back. It felt like a chore to do it. However, the feeling you get from doing so and getting the same in return is wonderful. ASD's can be very hard on a person's ability to express feelings and putting them in words.