Hi Danielle . I was diagnosed just before my 25th birthday and have had trouble with forming friendships and especially romantic relationships my entire life, I mean I've never had a girlfriend before. I don't think it's something you can heal by jumping in the deep end (just jumping directly into social situations) as that can have major negative repercussions on the person's mental state, because rejection is usually the norm. Sometimes other mental issues such as depression and social anxiety accompany an adult who wasn't diagnosed before, because the rejection by others was never understood. For me that was a large source of frustration and heartache. I mean we don't dislike people at all, in fact I long for interaction with people, and more than anything a loving relationship with a girl. But, my outward "message" or "expression" is one of repulsion or indifference towards others. So, it's like many have said here, I think therapy is the only way forward.

But, it's a dichotomy. Years of therapy to make someone with this condition into a "normal" person, might not make that person happy after all. It's the same problem I have, I cannot for the life of me decide whether I should get therapy or not. I have become so accustomed to my life and my peculiarities. Changing into a "typical" person seems almost unnecessary to me, as a matter of fact, I even like some aspects of myself, and I know no-one else has them or will ever understand it. But, then again, there is so much I seem to be missing out on, that I long for it (e.g. relationships), because normal people seem so happy when they are enjoying all the good things life can offer, that people like me simply don't know how to get and enjoy too. Only your son will be able to make the decision, and then still, he himself might not even know what he wants.