I wish there were estereotypical traits consistent among all autistic people but unfortunately we are as diverse as neurotypicals.

If there was a rule book on how to be an autistic person successfully based on previous people’s experience it would make our lives so much easier, and reddit could be the platform to convey that message, but unfortunately, autistic people are all so different, just like neurotypicals we have our own wants, needs, preferences and experiences. What one autistic person likes the other may absolutely hate and vice versa. There’s no one size fits all.

Obviously social difficulties are usually consistent with all of us but even that is a mixed bag. And sensory needs are also different. I’m convinced the autism label doesn’t really matter at the end of the day & it doesn’t make it that all autistic people get along well. ND/NT are just colloquialisms. Just jive with who you jive with ND NT or otherwise.

I went 23 years not even knowing what autism is let alone that I could have it. I had many close friendships & relationships. Looking back they all had some ND in them. But I can’t be certain. They were just my friends and I loved them for who they are. My message is to not get too hung up on labels, it may hold you back from some very cool relationships.