Can you get worse???

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I can really relate to this topic. Some of you have posted about having increased problems with judging distance, multi-tasking, etc. I find that these things have changed for the worse, for me. Also, when I was younger, I made more of an effort to socialize, and cared more about having a network of friends. Now, I spend increasingly larger chunks of time alone and actually enjoy it. I also find that my handwriting has gotten worse, and that even typing contains many letter reversals. Sensory overload happens a lot sooner, now, and tolerance and patience are sorely tried a lot sooner, too. The statistics of single-hood and chances of finding friends or spouses make a lot of sense, also. This thread has been very validating.

[url=http://www.autistics.org/library/more-autistic.html"]Help, I seem to be getting more autistic[/url] is something I wrote for autistic people in this position. No, it's nowhere near unheard of. I don't consider it "worse" though.

I kinda feel like my autistic related things are getting worse (like sensory stuff, anxiety), but I am also starting to learn certain adjustments now that I never knew before. I am only recently diagnosed.

I am 36 and was not diagnosed until recently.
My 'social skills' are much worse now, i think there are a number of reasons for this.
Mainly due to lack of practise and change in environment.

When at college and university i never had any problems in making friends. I have always loved music, movies and books and some sports (and drinking). Finding friends with similar tastes was not too difficult.
As you get older, your peers pair off, get married and have children. So it is more difficult to find friends with similar interests, they are usually busy with other responsibilities. It also makes you aware that you may have a 'problem': doing the same things you were doing a decade ago,; not being able to 'grow-up' or 'settle down'.

Also stress plays a part.
I never felt under any stress while i was in my twenties. But now, there are bills to pay, etc.
When i feel stressed and anxious, then overloading of senses becomes more likely. This hardly ever occured in my youth (or i was too drunk, stoned or high to realise it).

I've noticed that stress and hormonal shifts increase the severity of my AS.

So (just my experiences) I am more aspie on some days...not so much on others.

ALSO dietary changes, changes in my physical activity level, and illness can alter the severity of symptoms.

And except for a handful of people my desire to socialize has gone down from a 3 to a -3.