I struggle with socializing

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. I went to an autism social group and I struggled. It was overwhelming and I had to talk while playing a board game. I felt like people were judging me for taking a long time when it was my turn. I also struggled after the game was over and people were talking to each other. One of the women in charge started talking to me and I had a hard time. I couldnt maintain eye contact and I started to stim.

I think I stim too much. People have told me it makes them uncomfortable. I sometimes flap my hands when I talk or I rock back and forth. I also really like to spin. I used to get made fun of for it in high school. I heard the whispering. I spent almost a whole year of high school with no friends.

I find it so hard to talk unless I'm interested in a topic. Sometimes I surprise people. I will suddenly have lots to say. I think I sometimes annoy people though or weird them out.


Social situations confuse me and I dont do well. I dont maintain eye contact at all. It takes me a while to respond to questions. I feel the safest talking to my family. They dont judge.

Let me start off by saying this: I relate, a lot. Everything you said? That's definitely me. Didn't have much friends during high school either, with the only ones being my friends the occasional person from middle school or childhood that so happened to go to the same school as me, even then they were all grown up and didn't try to invite me anywhere or include me in their friend groups. I mostly hanged out with my classmates at school so I didn't look like a loner. They weren't good people either.

Your situation might not be the best but you're not the only one having experienced that. Don't worry too much, just keep making an extra effort to meet people, true friends will come if you keep trying instead of doing what I did during high school which was: wake up, school, home, sleep and repeat. Go out even if you have no one to hang out with. Making your home your comfort zone will hurt you in the long run, I know it hurt me and now I feel like I missed out on typical teenage stuff portrayed everywhere.

On the off chance you're already off of school, which you made it sound like so, University might be the best thing to help since there's more students than ordinary schools. You're bound to find someone. On the other hand if you're still not going to University, for whatever reason (such as money or not feeling like it yet), you could try getting a job, finding a hobby that'll help you with finding new people. Anything, just keep going out of your comfort zone. It's going to be difficult, sometimes it will be awkward and you won't be able to make conversation but you should still try. Just find people with similar interests, it's easier that way.

The internet serves more of a purpose than to watch youtube videos from your favourite content creators, connect with people in your area using it if you're unable to do it in person for the time being.

Forgot to add one thing: Don't worry if you can't do small talk. Most aspies can't. If you're only interested in talking about your interests then it's easier, that's why I suggested you find people with the same interests as you. Be it in person or via the internet (assuming you can meet up later) and don't worry too much about it.