[LiteraryLark]

I've known my friend since middle school, but we never hung out outside of class. He recently confessed to me that he was autistic. I knew he was something because he always had an aide with him, but I never asked. He graduated high school with me so I'm not sure how extreme his autism is. He invited me to a movie night and I couldn't go because of a camping trip, then he invited me to go camping and I said I would go.

He seems upset lately because of some things he wrote on a facebook status, and then he got angry with me because I started suggesting things we could do when we go camping and told me "I'm planning the trip, so I get to decide what we do". I've never hung out with someone who is autistic and I would like to know some general rules about what I should and shouldn't say around him because I don't want to make him upset. I know I should let him make all the decisions because he got upset about "telling him what to do" earlier. It also seems like he is going to try to pay for everything which can be expensive. Should I let him pay or offer to help pay, or would that upset him? Should I pack extra stuff for the trip in case he forgets? What else should I know?

Thanks.

[Confusedinomicon]

It almost sounds like he likes you. Maybe you should make sure he knows the boundaries of your relationship with him.

I would also assume you would pack necessary things like toiletries, sleeping bag and maybe bring a book/mp3 player along too. I suppose you could bring extra snacks too.

Is there any way you could maybe talk to his mom/dad? Maybe they could help you understand him better.

[Jan1212]

He probably has a high inclination to follow rules, and the rule was that since he is planning it he gets to say how it goes, I don't think he meant to make you upset.

Be clear in what you want, so questions can be confusing, commands can sound aggressive. Try not to get frustrated but be patient and give him time to respond and try not to talk so much at once. Changes and flexibility can cause a good deal of stress he probably already has a schedule so if he has a list of things to do, he may need to follow it just like it is

Each autistic individual is different, he may be high-functioning, I don't think there's anything else different except the picking up of social cues, just be polite as with anyone else

Extra blanket, food, bug spray is always good

[LiteraryLark]

I'm currently trying to figure out the details of what's going on because I like to know what's planned and I'm not sure what he has planned.

It does seem like he may have a crush on me, but I'm not too sure. He asked if he could kiss me as a friend (because he told me he has a personality like Barney the purple dinosaur) and I told him only like a friend. I'm pretty generous when it comes to touching, but I want to be sure it's only as friends.

There is something he really wants to do and I really don't want to do, and that's swimming at the lagoon. It's this man made hole by the lake that little kids swim in, but it's also where all the geese swim and poop in too and the lagoon is green and gross-looking. I don't know if I should just go along and go in or tell him I'll sit out and feed the ducks. It seems like once his mind is made up it would prove difficult to change. They do have open showers there so I might just take body wash with me and then clean myself off after, but still I wouldn't even want to go all the way under and being splashed just seems awful. Not sure what to do about that.