Excellent post also Divine1966 Thank you.

I totally agree......It's important to get a professional Dx for this because it's the only way that you can get the appropriate help for whatever is causing the social awkwardness that you are experiencing based on the professional knowledge of what the cause is for it.

In my case after reading the book "The complete Guide to Asperger's Syndrome" by Tony Attwood, there was much more than just social awkwardness that made it obvious as to what I had been living with for 33 years....it explained all the behaviors that had caused so much trouble in the marriage & it helped ease my anger that had built up toward him for those 33 years because it gave me understanding that I didn't previously have. The behavior issues that went far beyond social awkwardness. Yes, it's important to understand that it takes a lot more than JUST social awkwardness to indicate that one is on the Autism spectrum.

It's very important to get a professional Dx because that's the only way to get the appropriate help & learn the appropriate skills from professionals trained to help whatever is the cause of the problem. Learning skills that are missing in life to deal with the problems is the only way to open the doors that are currently closed. It also provides valid understanding of self which gives more confidence in knowing exactly why one's behavior is what it is & to get help with smoothing out the things that are causing problems functioning in life.

For me the information helped me get closure on that time of my life so that I could move on.....but also speaking from personal experience.....both my parents had serious social awkwardness problems & I can tell you how much it negatively effected me growing up in the 1950's & 60's so even if the door is opened & the right woman is encountered & a family ends up being started.....getting help with the social awkwardness NOW will only be a wonderful benefit to any future family you might end up having. It didn't destroy my life but it sure had a lot of negative effects on it & caused a lot of fighting with my parents because I resented the way they were & how it effected MY LIFE. Professional help & understanding didn't exist back in those days.....so take advantage of the help that is NOW available & use it to grow from & to improve your own life as it will actually improve the lives of those around you also.