6) My autistic brain makes me exceptionally skilled at pattern recognition and knowledge synthesis, and thus, unlocks exceptional learning and prediction capabilities in me. This is my superpower that drives my professional success.

4) I’m super literal and direct, and didn’t know that is not the societal norm in North America. Self-secure people seem to really like me, but insecure people…it depends on whether my views align with theirs.

5) I mask probably 80% of my waking hours, and it’s exhausting.

3) I’m very particular with how I do things because I need to understand exactly what I’m doing and why I’m doing it to feel comfortable doing it.

1) I get overstimulated often. Social withdrawal is my brain’s attempt to protect me.

2) I get painfully uncomfortable making small talk bc I don’t understand why people talk to each other just to talk to each other.