I self-diagnosed my AS/HFA a little over a month ago, and I am slowly getting things in perspective. Maybe because of my age and this old dog's inability to learn new tricks, the first thing I am doing is just being myself ... and at least so far, dropping years of pretense and trying to be whatever somebody else wants has proved to be a great relief.
For the most part, my "fitting in" is a matter of intellectual assent and effort. And, one of my bosses is really being helpful. He willing discusses people and situations, and he explains his own approaches in detail.
Blindspot149 wrote:
I want to be less socially impaired.
The main reason being to improve the quality of life for my family.
In my own opinion, that is an ideal attitude and approach. I let my wife tell her friends, family and co-workers whatever she might want to say about me, and I do not ever correct her about anything she has said. As best I can, I explain myself to her (without making excuses or trying to justify anything), and I listen attentively and try to answer her questions thoughtfully whenever she might ask. Overall, my concern is that *she* be as comfortable as possible wherever she is for as long as we both still live.
Blindspot149 wrote:
I am getting better at allowing others too speak WITHOUT interupting.
It isn't easy. I start off trying to be interested, then I engage my patience, then I go into therapist mode and try to see myself as a sounding board.
That is the most difficult part for me, and especially whenever I believe someone else is actually wasting good "air time". But, I am trying to do that at least for my wife.
Blindspot149 wrote:
Has anyone out there licked this yet and if so has it become intuitive or is it simply a set of skills that you can apply quickly and apply well?
I wonder whether anyone ever really licks it, and I cannot imagine it ever becoming intuitive for me.
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I began looking for someone like me when I was five ...
My search ended at 59 ... right here on WrongPlanet.
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