Hi all, just wanted to know what you guys think. Is it possible to become lower-functioning over time, let's say due to events in life, or something that could act as a "setback"?

I've heard about this thing called autistic burnout which sounds something like this. Sounds pretty serious and pretty permanent too, unless pro-active steps are taken to restore the functioning of the autistic person (which will be different for every autistic individual too of course).

I think I may have experienced this, all as a cumulative effect of failed social endeavours, romantic relationship endeavours and the like. All my trying to do normal things, and then failing at that, I think has had some kind of corrosive effect on my functionality. I started out as high-functioning Asperger's, but truthfully would regard myself now as somewhere mid-spectrum.

Direct evidence or manifestation thereof is going to be mostly elusive as usual, but I have noticed, over the last few years, what seems to be a definite worsening in interactions with people, social situations, and just an increasing amount of withdrawal by me from situations that might lead to social interaction. I'm starting to notice concious efforts on my part to avoid social interactions, whether it be giving someone I know a wide berth before they see me so as to avoid them, or actively seeking solitude in places that I know have nobody in them.

Bottom line is, I think my autism is getting worse. I just wanted to know if anyone else has ever experienced what seems to be a decrease in their functioning.