Social situations

[Emsky]

Hi, so I prefer being in the company of people I'm comfortable with and I can't help who I'm comfortable with, I was in the process of diagnosis when I was 2 but it never got followed up waiting on appointment now. Anyway my partner gets mad at me a lot for not being social, I explained to him that there's a high chance I'm autistic and he agreed it made sense. But now he's saying he's annoyed that he's taken me out and I'm not being socialible and that I don't look happy, I just don't know how to speak to people I'm not familiar with, I've noticed I'm finding it more difficult the older I get, once I started working is when I realised I find it hard with new people. I'm just finding it hard to explain to him especially when he doesn't think I have it even though when I told him he said a lot makes sense. Just upset as I can't help who I am, I feel once I have my official diagnosis that it'll be easier as he can't say anything about it then, just hope it comes through soon!

[kevinmhickson]

It would be good for you and your partner could read a little into the subject of autistic experience if you have not already done so. Even though you do not have a diagnosis, you will most probably be able to relate to much of what someone experiences when on the autistic spectrum and this could help your partner be more understanding and empathetic.

[Emsky in reply to kevinmhickson]

This is the thing someone close in his family are on the spectrum so I thought he'd be most understanding, but I think because we aren't exactly the same he now isn't convinced I have it, but it's a spectrum and it's not exactly the same in men as it is women, I just feel once I have my formal diagnosis it'll be easier as their won't be any doubt that I have it

[kevinmhickson in reply to Emsky]

good point made about gender difference and that the spectrum experience is different for each person, which can of course make it more difficult for everyone else to understand it clearly!