Learning to be NT

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Hi all,

I believe this is the case in my life for past two years. I learnt so much from NTs because I kept hanging with them. I also been involved with Aspie groups and that more recently. I find it interesting that NTs reactions are different when I was younger especially during high school and at UG uni. Now I am in a city and doing Masters degree at large famous uni. People's reactions are different than back then. I do disclose my ASD until last minute or when situation occurred. I only disclose my hearing loss because I required lipreading from people faces.

So, this is my first semester, and it has been so different experience than my first semester during my UG course. I meet more nicer and friendly people than the ones carry on mocking me and take alcohol into account. People are welcoming me and that. These are times when I feel that I don't even have ASD because I was 'fitting' into NT world. I only use my hearing loss as an awareness to people because I do have trouble understanding hearing other people's speeches. Despite that, I still have met some NTs who are sensitive to people's mental capabilities such as my social skills are different to NTs in general.

My reaction to those people is staying away from them because it is their problem. I only come across poor attitude people, who doesn't care about important things nor want to connect with anyone. I seen some Aspies on campus, majority of them are antisocials whose that always being on their phone in middle of group conversations and does not want to participate. I used to be like that, but now I changed my approaches because I realised that from the NTs perspective is seeing ourselves as a problem that they don't understand.

So, should we Aspies continually trying to find ways how to get engaged in and follow on with NTs and the mainstream world? I find that from my experience, is to keep trying and make different approaches. Just be assertive and open so people are being encouraged to like you, or invite you or want you to be part of.

I am hoping that many of you have similar experience as me, because it is interesting about learning new things.

Being assertive or engaging with NT's or compromising at to get along is fine. What won't work in the long term is trying to be a clone of NT's. 1. NT stands for neurotypical but there is no "typical" person so you will be trying to clone yourself after hundreds of people 2. You are not NT but an Aspie-Autistic.

Trying to be NT 24 hours 7 days a week leads to eventually psychical and mental exhaustion, anxiety and stress, depression, disaccosiation (forgetting who you are). Eventually is the word and how long a Aspie can "pass" is determined by the nature of their Aspergers-Autism and the nature of the people they deal with. Some have daily meltdowns/shutdowns, others can "pass" and pass well for years even decades.

I haven't exhausted yet. During my UG course I was easily because people kept put too much pressure on my life, and as well I have limited myself too much.

Now at the uni I am now, as being postgraduate student. Lifestyle is different because I have learnt so much in the past, thus making my approach to NTs differently. I have so many positive reactions and made friends easily. Moreso of international people rather than Australians itself, but I have been getting along with environmentalists people like myself; who are like minded people. Hippies usually more relaxing and open minded kind of people.

I am quite suprised that not many people come reply my threads on WP these days. Is my writing clear enough to read?