Finally had a chance to discuss with my mother

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And while she had shot down the possibility of autism before, this time she said "Oh, it makes sense." and gave me a handful of anecdotes (apparently I hated hugs at a very early age, among other things and a family friend told my mother he thought I was autistic, just for two).

This was nice because she'd also given me some anecdotes about my early hyperactivity the other day. It's nice to have my own research and observations confirmed by observations from early childhood - and she knows more about autism than most people do. She doesn't assume autistic means one particular favored stereotype ("low functioning nonverbal, possibly self-injuring child with constant meltdowns), and is at least I think much more willing to listen to me.

Anyway, I think this is actually a good sign, depending on whether she'll be involved in my upcoming evaluation or not.

That seems to be a positive step in the right direction. It's grest that your mum is now willing to listen.

Good for you, and hope the evaluation goes well.

She did bring up my grandnephew, who is autistic (diagnosed with autistic disorder), but she didn't compare us, just mentioned him.

I didn't really have a chance to discuss just how much autism seems to be in my father's side of the family, though.

I can't seem to get to get a lot of info from my mother in one sitting. I'm taking some baby steps with this. Too many questions at one time gets diminishing returns, and it seems to drain her a bit.

Hope this helps.

Yeah, I can't get all the information I want from my mother in one sitting, but I can't remember all the questions I want to ask.

However, I'm going to have her read one of the four coping mechanisms that Tony Attwood describes, because that is how my father behaves toward everyone.