Have you adapted sufficiently to 'fit in' to the NT world?

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There needs to at least be a "sometimes" option, if not a "no" option.

I can pass as NT some of the time, because a lot of the situations I am in do not require an immense amount of social skills. I doubt the checker at Wal-Mart finds me strange when I repeat "thank you" when he or she says "thank you", instead of saying something else. One-on-one I can usually get by in social situations, so long as they are structured or with someone who expects me to be... different. I also do fine when I'm able to talk about my interests. For example, I spent most of the day today working an adoption day for a rescue group I foster for. I was able to deal with the people for the most part and answer their questions, because I know the answers, and am interested in animals (to put that lightly).

But when I'm placed in situations where I don't have a script, or where the object of the occasion is simply small talk, I flounder. I also flounder socially with most of my classmates. They make no sense to me, and I make no sense to them. I don't do well in unexpected social situations, like phone calls from friends (or anyone), or friends stopping by my house without telling me first.

I don't think people think that I'm a crazy person, just a little awkward or shy. In truth, I am very awkward, but I rarely am in a situation that shows it. I avoid things that make me look stranger than I already appear most of the time.

Fitting in + ASD = oxymoron

I voted "Yes and it is sometimes/always intuitive", but now that I think about it, that's only with people who are my type, (artists, gamers, immature...) not the really super NT type.

I can usually mold the things I say and do into an NT-style tone... but I still struggle a lot with coming up with things TO say.

That's me, only I stopped making the effort in my middle thirties. I think a big trigger for me was my job. I had a great paying job but I was constantly forced to deal with people in crisis mode (usually a crisis forged in the fires of their own stupidity) and it began to prey upon me in a way I couldn't cope with anymore. I started to despise people and it poisoned every part of my life!

Now, I have a job that pays terrible, but affords me much more solitude and I'm much happier. I spend my free time going to school, studying things that interest me, and doing things I want to do rather than things i hafta do!

My old colleagues think I'm crazy for giving up the money, but my new found happiness is worth so much more.

i live my own life irregaudless of those round me. your poll only allows yes

During my teens and twenties --before I found out about Aspergers-- I had a vague sense that something was not right, especially with regards to interpersonal interactions. Starting in my mid to late twenties, I began to reduce the amount of interaction I had with other people (e.g., by keeping conversations as short as possible). These days, it is down to a bare minimum. Dealing with other people is so very draining. Also, I generally distrust people and I often have a vague suspicion that they are lying or trying to manipulate me. This paranoid attitude reduces the likelihood that I will be taken advantage of.

In a way, what has happened over time is I have adjusted my default settings based on my experiences. Does this mean I have "adapted enough to 'fit in' to the NT world?" Hmmm ... not really. I suspect that I come across as "aloof", "unfriendly" and/ or "unsociable". My life is far from perfect, but thankfully I have a job which requires very little social interaction.

bump

I suppose so since I can get jobs and hold them, but I never do well at "good" jobs since getting them and keeping them hinges on being in the right place at the right time and knowing the right people.

I don't know if what I do is "intuitive" or if I've just done some things so often I do them without having to think about them in a formal way as I do in matters I'm less experienced in.