porchrocker
New Member
I feel somewhat silly asking - as though it really shouldn't be this complicated - but I feel stumped and would greatly appreciate any advice.
I didn't grow up having any personal experience with friends or family, or even strangers, with autism, until now. I am working in a household in which the adult son has autism. I suppose you would call it functional autism, as he he has a part-time job and communicates well. The only thing immediately and noticeably "different" about him is that he is very quirky. Some might describe him as "nerdy."
My issue that I am requesting guidance on is this... I am a middle aged, petite woman. He is in his early 20's and nearly 2 feet taller than me and I would say double my weight. He is always kind, complimentary, and interested in getting to know you and your interests so he can tell you everything he knows about it. BUT he is also often very touchy-feely and seemingly quickly attached. Once I give him an inch, he takes several miles! His family members often have to step in and tell him to back off. Hugs, leaning on my shoulders, following me around and overwhelming me with the conversation. (I'm typically a pretty quiet, private person.)
This seems to greatly embarrass him and it makes me feel bad that I am not comfortable with engaging with him. His large stature paired with the desire to always be so close makes me uncomfortable. And I'm not the talkative type, so I get lost trying to keep up with simply listening to him talk.
It just makes for an awkward encounter every time I'm around him and I don't want it to be that way. But I'm not sure how to approach it, physically or mentally.
I didn't grow up having any personal experience with friends or family, or even strangers, with autism, until now. I am working in a household in which the adult son has autism. I suppose you would call it functional autism, as he he has a part-time job and communicates well. The only thing immediately and noticeably "different" about him is that he is very quirky. Some might describe him as "nerdy."
My issue that I am requesting guidance on is this... I am a middle aged, petite woman. He is in his early 20's and nearly 2 feet taller than me and I would say double my weight. He is always kind, complimentary, and interested in getting to know you and your interests so he can tell you everything he knows about it. BUT he is also often very touchy-feely and seemingly quickly attached. Once I give him an inch, he takes several miles! His family members often have to step in and tell him to back off. Hugs, leaning on my shoulders, following me around and overwhelming me with the conversation. (I'm typically a pretty quiet, private person.)
This seems to greatly embarrass him and it makes me feel bad that I am not comfortable with engaging with him. His large stature paired with the desire to always be so close makes me uncomfortable. And I'm not the talkative type, so I get lost trying to keep up with simply listening to him talk.
It just makes for an awkward encounter every time I'm around him and I don't want it to be that way. But I'm not sure how to approach it, physically or mentally.