I figured out a magic trick recently!
I can go up to a NT and make them handle the load of the conversation for me, so I can focus on interacting!
They're reading a book, "That looks interesting, what's it about?", they're staring off into space, "So, what's on your mind?", they're working on something, "Ooh, what are you doing there, can I see?"
Then just build off what they say to judge how to work from there, people seem to be more honest when asked direct questions about something they're interested in, without specifying how they have to respond.
Taken me 29 years to figure this out.
I don't really get why, but it works!