Anybody struggling to find their place here on WP?

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It's well known that High Functioning Autism (HFA) presents that dichotomy of "not being quite able enough, yet not being quite disabled enough" in the world at large.

What has received much less focus is that same dichotomy here on WP - that is "not being quite able enough, yet not being quite disabled enough" here on WP.

I've never felt that, but I assume some do. To me, it's a community of like-minded individuals and is comforting.

stick around a while, and you will find yourself drawn to certain members, feeling better understanding with them than with others.
I find that I don't identify as much with the younger members, I was born a few decades too early to have much in common with them, but I do find that among the many older members I am finding more comfortable insights and ways of interacting.
In any group it is not always going to happen that there is instant rapport.
Just because we all share autism doesn't mean we will have anything else at all in common. I tend to just stick to the autism related discussions.
Just like if there was a group of thousands of members all with brown eyes or having only one other thing in common, it would take a while to sort out those you find most interesting, safest to communicate with, etc etc.

When I am in any group "in person" I tend to stand to the back of the crowd and watch everybody else interact until I get a 'feel' for whats going on. I am new here but I am starting to find others I do tend to interact with or relate to more as time passes. Sending best wishes.

I don’t really fit in because it seems most people here are what would be classified as ASD level 1, whereas I would be classified as ASD level 2 (moderate), and it seems to me like there’s a world of difference.

Sometimes I feel out of place, but that's more due to age.

The (nice) Dragon person definitely has a place on WP!

No doubt about that!

I know my place though. Not 'outside', not 'inside', not this or that side.

It's somewhere that is neither. Something undefined.
That's because I don't have a lot of opinions to begin with. Nor I've admit to be into any fandoms.

I've been open with my own agenda...
People are seem to confuse where my allegiances are -- only that one may knew what aligns and what doesn't.


What truly made me out of place are two things:

One is cultural gaps. No real issues there. It's natural. This I can easily accept.

Two is that I don't reasonate with a lot of members' woes and worries and priorities -- sure, even with similar circumstances, yet different reactions causing this sort of funny dissonance.
It doesn't matter what the functioning level is, nor any autistic's intellectual inclinations and social aspirations are.

Gained Number Post Count (1).
Lose Time (n).

Lose more time here - Updates at least once a week.

I generally feel like I don't "fit in" but have decided it doesn't really matter. Autists are all different and there are so many differences it would be impossible for us to all feel like we fit.

OTOH, I have seen what the OP is talking about. There is little acknowledgement of the struggles facing those who are less able, level 2 if you will. A little less willingness to understand that others may not be functioning at the same level as "you." (editorially.)

Few people, NT or ND, can comprehend that others do not understand the world in the same way they do. IOW, if I can see it/understand it, then so can s/he.

What I have seen as valuable in this forum is the range of new people and new perspectives on life, the support for autism challenges, and the information on autism itself.

But it does taking hanging around for a while to get to all the above.

This is my second account here. I have no clue why I stopped posting quite a long time ago with my first, but I don't remember having any trouble. Probably just stopped including WP in my daily rounds and forgot about it.

Now that my favorite politician is likely never going to run for any office I can vote for, I have a lot of online forum-y time available and I remembered WP. Surprised and happy Facebook hasn't managed to kill it.

I wouldn't worry about fitting in too much.
Just be yourself. Most people are O.K.

I keep in mind that the majority of the people on this forum, including myself
have some problems with various aspects of life, and mental health issues.

I do what i can to help people, if i have advice to offer. Not for my own benefit
but in hope to help others find their way.

WHOA, this discussion thread grew quickly!

Thank-you for your responses.

I strongly felt that relating the topics of navigating life in the world at large, with navigating WP would encourage active interest. Personally, I feel that this is one of those threads which might just "break the ice" so to speak in feeling confident in developing friendships - after the pandemic been brought under control.

A link to the WP thread 'How is Pandemic Influencing Social Skill Concerns?' is included with LINK.

LINK: Within the discussion thread (LINK) 'Does The Average Person Know What Asperger’s Syndrome Is?'

I strongly advocate becoming acquainted with NTs (or NT-like people with HFA) whose experiences with HFA adult clientele are largely professional - yet people who are receptive toward the more or less informal relationships.

LINK: viewtopic.php?f=3&t=394125&p=8710109#p8710109