ajlposh wrote:
. . . Now, I figure sooner or later, she's gonna have to know that I am an Aspie, and I think that time is drawing near. . .
This is good. This is feel and texture, and right brain, and trusting and developing your gut instincts.
It's going to be a process. It's going to be a series of medium steps (probably) and trust yourself on this, too.
Mindslave had a good opening "You ever notice how I do such and such? . . . " Then you might add that 'the book' on Asperger's is strong in technical areas, awkward on social areas, and then perhaps that 'the book' is not across the board true in all cases. (For example, I myself have patchy social skills. That may or may not be true in your case.)
And that might be plenty for a first discussion. Or, her interest might be piqued, and she might have some questions. Again, this is where you have to use feel and texture, and be approximately correct rather than anything exact.
And if you do break down, actually I think that's kind of a good thing. It shows heart. Basically, either way, if you break down, it's okay. If you don't break down, that's okay, too. Just keep it real.
And probably cut it off a little early, for your own sake. Don't exhaust yourself on the topic. Just one of several matter-of-fact conversations.
Maybe the first conversation with your mother there. Or maybe like first one or two on your own, and then the third or fourth (casual) follow-up conversation with your mother present to give her observation regarding a sticky point. Trust your feelings on this, too.