So do you connect with people at all?

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Just wondering something... I know we supposedly lack empathy and can't say the right things in social situations; but are all of our efforts lost when attempting to connect with people?

Don't try to sell me on the myth that all autistic people lack the desire to seek connections-- I think a lot of us desire it very strongly, making rejection hurt worse than for those of us who couldn't be bothered. It's not defining of autism to be 'self-centered' and not want interaction at all, that's just some of the cases, some of the time.

We're still human, so there is that part of us that is a social animal and we need to feel like a part of something, even if it's just interest-related.

So do you connect with people at all? Do we strive in vain, or do we give people some honest, simple comfort when we do our best to 'be nice' or 'be friendly' (what!? really!? so vague, so I do try, at least as much as I can understand it).

Comments? Anyone with someone, at least one other person, that truly cherishes and enjoys your existence? I think it can make a real difference.

I think that you will find that we do connect with people. There are many people on here who have boyfriends/girlfriends/husbands/wives/partners/children. I think that some form of connection must be established in order to build the support for those types of relationships

I connect (although the connecting is in various ways) with a few people under the right conditions, but in the majority of cases it's uncomfortable, awkward, or frustrating. I have two close friends and in order for me to meet new people, we need to have a HELL of a lot in common (oh, and he or she has to accept my weirdness).

To answer your question, outside of my direct family I don't really have a strong connection with anyone. And even with them I feel as if I'm not truly connected with them at times.

The people at work seem to like me, but the "connection" that is purely work related, does that count? Other than that I have some online friends, but I doubt that they truly cherish and enjoy my existence.

Sometimes I wish I didn't feel the need to "connect" with people and that I could be perfectly content living all alone. Just so that I wouldn't be lonely. I mean, I'm around people every day, but I still feel like something is missing.

I feel disconnected at large with humanity. I honestly don't think that'll ever change.

I generally feel disconnected from humanity. I would like some connection with a few individuals, but the kind of friendship I idealise doesn't seem to interest anyone else. I have no interest in romantic relationships, especially not with marriage and family and rose petals, even thinking of that almost makes me nauseous.

I don't connect with most people, even many people who say they connect with me.

There are a small number of people I do connect with, and I am glad to have found them. Or they found me. Whichever.

I wrote a long response... but it seemed like too much info... too depressing. But no. I don't connect with anyone. The only people that touch me, are doctors, and nurses. I haven't been inside another persons house for years.

It would be a rare thing for me to connect with someone. The only connections I make are superficial, no-one really knows me except myself. I think none of us truly connect which is why we feel so alien in society.

I may connect to persons, but not to people. (Bad grammer, but I'm trying to make a point)
I think the issue of how people perceive us as uncaring can be explained very simply. I'm terrible at displaying my emotions, but that doesn't mean I have none.

It happens rarely, but I have felt connections with people.

By and large, the most common connections I have had is with well-developed, realistic characters in film, literature and other narrative forms, but that is because there is typically absolute transparency between the reader and the characters in question.

In the real world, I have maybe connected strongly with a few people, including one family member and some friends who I have fallen out of contact with. With me, it becomes a matter of transparency. If someone is too opaque regarding who they are and how they feel, then connection for me is pretty much impossible. However, I remain optimistic that I will connect with more people as I meet them, especially once I get out of this fake bubble of cultural astroturf known as college.