Hello and intro!

[BreaksOver]

Hello, I'm BreaksOver, just call me Bee. For a long time I've wondered what was wrong with me, why I kept getting taken advantage of or misunderstanding people's intentions, why I'm "like this" and so on. Many pieces of my life have never made sense. Holding myself up to the neurotypical standard is wearing me away. I think I'm autistic. I've spent lots of time researching - books, podcasts, videos, articles, blogs, studies, forums, self-analysis. When I'm ready, my therapist will help me pursue a diagnosis. I spent a few weeks lurking here and I've decided to try and meet some folks.

Interests: writing, drawing, collecting (songs in playlists, steam games, adult novelty toys, miniatures, notebooks, stationary, stickers). Lately I've returned to two childhood interests: Leverage (Tv show) and Warriors (YA book series).

Struggling with my full time job right now and just doing my best to cope. I'm rocking while typing this. I'm a bit nervous The end.

 

[tree]

 

[clg114]

Welcome to Autism Forums!

 

[Gerald Wilgus]

Welcome. Know that you are not alone here. Plus, it is good that you want to understand yourself. It has taken some of us a long time, and depending on our goals at times, we have learned to accommodate to ourselves or make the effort to persevere and overcome some deficits. I was able to learn to be social despite not understanding social communication and body language, yet still have difficulty conversing IRL.

 

[Nitro]

 

[Atrapa Almas]

Wellcome

 

[BreaksOver]

Welcome. Know that you are not alone here. Plus, it is good that you want to understand yourself. It has taken some of us a long time, and depending on our goals at times, we have learned to accommodate to ourselves or make the effort to persevere and overcome some deficits. I was able to learn to be social despite not understanding social communication and body language, yet still have difficulty conversing IRL.

Thank you I've been doing things to accommodate myself as of late and it makes such a difference. Like wearing headphones to the grocery store or limiting the number of things I do in a day. I used to think I just needed to give myself exposure therapy to social situations, but after many years I've realized that it doesn't work that way. And I'd rather work with instead of against myself.

 

[Thinx]

Hi and welcome, I hope that you enjoy it here. Yes exposure therapy doesn't work for issues caused by our neurology, I tried a long time with social communication issues before understanding that, in later life. It's good that you are so aware at a relatively young age! Please do join in threads or post your own, and share your ideas and strategies.

 

[Richelle-H]

Welcome @BreaksOver,

No reason to feel nervous here, as you will not be judged. I share a few of your interests (been reading since I was 7 or 8 and collecting books since I was 16). This place is low stress and I am sure you are aware of this if you have been lurking for a while.

Make yourself at home and join in when you feel the urge.

 

[BreaksOver]

Hi and welcome, I hope that you enjoy it here. Yes exposure therapy doesn't work for issues caused by our neurology, I tried a long time with social communication issues before understanding that, in later life. It's good that you are so aware at a relatively young age! Please do join in threads or post your own, and share your ideas and strategies.

Thank you!

Welcome @BreaksOver,

No reason to feel nervous here, as you will not be judged. I share a few of your interests (been reading since I was 7 or 8 and collecting books since I was 16). This place is low stress and I am sure you are aware of this if you have been lurking for a while.

Make yourself at home and join in when you feel the urge.

Books have always been my escape/a way for me to process the world. I really appreciate the warm welcome

 

[Suzette]

Hello and welcome!

 

[Loren]

~Welcome

: )

 

[VictorR]

Welcome!

 

[Gerald Wilgus]

Thank you I've been doing things to accommodate myself as of late and it makes such a difference. Like wearing headphones to the grocery store or limiting the number of things I do in a day. I used to think I just needed to give myself exposure therapy to social situations, but after many years I've realized that it doesn't work that way. And I'd rather work with instead of against myself.

I am fortunate that I am very analytical and observant, so, when I decided to understand how to be social since I desired some connection and relationship, I read all I could find about social communication and how to like yourself, and tried things out to make progress. You can say that I worked with my strengths to effect positive change.

 

[SusanLR]

Welcome!
No need to feel nervous here.
It's a great place to be and to be yourself.