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Originally Posted by InkyTinks
I find it easier to communicate in writing/typing when I've had time to process what the other person has said and to construct my response.
But as with facial expressions I struggle to pick up the 'tone' unless it's really obvious and tend to only use the really obvious ones as I'm unsure what emotion some of them are meant to be portraying!
By definition Autism is about social skills, relationships and communication...people often assume you can only have it if you have severe learning difficulties too, but thats usually seperate because a child was born with brain damage not because of the effects of autism itself.
Despite making it to university the way the autism has impacted my ability to relate to people and follow social rules has been severe. Without the masks and daily contact with others at college or work to copy and create a rough 'social template' I really struggle.
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I'm sorry you struggle with the social distancing thing affecting your ability to socialize. Being isolated and masked and distanced all the time, I struggle to socialize properly - online and esp. in person. I tend to be awkward when socially distanced outside with a friend. I don't know what to say because my mind is on all the potential dangers when I'm outside of my apartment. But online is not the same thing as real life, and so there's only so much you can read into words. The Zoom and Facetime and video health features help a little more, but the screen lighting is really tough on eyes and makes socializing like workplace meetings - somewhat more high-maintenance than what we are accustomed to. You also don't know if anyone is recording their time with you, which is unlike having more private conversations in person. All of that makes it more tough to socialize.
Having mental illnesses also makes it a challenge. For you it is autism, for me it is a bunch of things ranging from my DID to my PTSD to my OCD and more. I also struggle with energy, as I fatigue easily, so I can't stand or sit for too long, nor can I deal with lengthy conversations in real life. I deal better with reading, but not always. And I'm somewhat of a hypocrite because I tend to be very verbose online but more succinct in person.