Can't genuinely relate to anyone at all, even others that are struggling.

@SomeRando @That is tricky. I have felt and feel this way most times. I am autistic and when I got my diagnosis I went on a journey of self discovery and this has been a great revelation into who I am and the whys of my loneliness and unrelateness to everyone around me. I learned nothing about this when I studied to become a psychologist, so if you do access psychologists , it can be hard as not all are trained in identifying autistic adults, especially women. Joining the autistic community helped me to feel such relief that I was not alone and not an alien! It's a journey though. I now work with teenage autistic kids to support them in finding their authentic selves to navigate a world that is not very relatable to us. In them and in the community I have found myself. With challenges, victories and everything that goes with being a part of something. You don't need to have a diagnosis to be part of the community. Self diagnosed is very acceptable. 😉 but I didn't know that then and because I really needed to know and could, I did.

@Charlie17 Are there any autism communities that you can recommend? There are a few people with autism that I know but they are much different to me, they all have some type of visible quirks, behaviors, or patterns of speech that I don't find relatable. I have seen some 'neuro spicy' social media posts and videos and would not fit in with that group either.

@SomeRando @There are some people that don't externalise behaviours. Or they think they don't 😉 But everyone is their own person. Maybe follow MorgaanFoley on FB and instagram and see if you relate.

• Neurospicy, The Austism comedy club on FB, Fully spectral also on FB, Austism inclusivity on FB. I like to read but haven't made many connections. I have found more connections with special interests or passions though. For example, some dog people, cat people, Scouts, it's taken a long time though. Some people from work who are also neurodivergent. But it's not easy

Hi @SomeRando

I have a diagnosis of high functioning autism spectrum disorder, and I can totally relate to a lot of these! I can definitely say that being one myself has always been a struggle, when I’ve been so hard in the past to try to ‘fit in’ and act like a normal functioning person. But yet, nothing has worked, despite all the advices that all mental health professionals have given me in order for me to improve on the skills that I still have barriers of that I could never seem to get myself to build up on.

I used to be on Centrelink jobseeker at one point too and have only worked two jobs, but neither of those have lasted long which is part of why I’m now on the DSP. That being said, I’m wishing you the best in your current job searching and that you’ll be able to find another job that can better suit you ❤️

I know how it feels to not feel like we belong to society, and I want to let you know that you are definitely not alone in this! It’s actually nice for me to see someone who I can relate to and that totally ‘gets it’. 😊

It's nice to know that there is someone out there that feels a similar way. The socialising aspect of life is always difficult and forced with very minimal genuine connection.

I have an autism test booked in. It won't change anything but it may at least be hard, written proof of why I am like this rather than just not being able to be a normal person.

@SomeRando true that. Till this day, I’m still trying to get myself to find and join at least a group where I can or may connect myself with other people that are on the spectrum, but at the same time, idk it’s just too overwhelming trying to put myself out there.

I hope the test appointment goes well for you! 😊

I think having an official diagnosis would be a good one to obtain, as you get to know what level/type of autism you actually have & you can use the report as part of evidence for any future applications too, including DSP (if you’re up for it though, no pressure if not choose to 😊). As far as I know, you’re likely to get accepted into DSP if your autism is at level 2 or 3.