Do you forget you have autism?

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It affects every part of my life, and I am very often reminded of the differences between my perceptions, experiences, etc. and those of NTs, or even those who are at the “high-functioning”/“mild” end of the spectrum. So I am not really ever given the chance to forget that I am autistic and that I am not “high-functioning” (and never will be).

Sometimes if I am focused on an interest.

Most people I know who were dx in mid life still need to remind themselves to go slower. Such was the unconscious drive to survive pre dx. The dx gave them permission to step out of the rat race. This is what I meant about forgetting they had autism. The awareness of their sensitivity was a gift, but having spent most of their lives unconsciously denying it, they needed a way to consciously affirm it. Hence forgetting and the need to remember.

I was diagnosed at 56. I am not sure "forget" is the term. I guess I have difficulty in separating what is autistic and what is not. Part is just habit, part is just the ambiguity of the manifestations or presentation of autism. It has taken me a while to see the autism in myself. For example, I did not think I stimmed, but now I am noticing that behavior: I am actually surprised I did not catch on sooner. I guess it comes down to self awareness.

When I was diagnosed and was unpacking what the new explanation of myself meant the question of what is autistic me and what is my personality caused me angst. What is an learnt skill and what is me faking myself? I eventually came to the conclusion that at this late stage my personality and my autism have fused together to such an extent that trying to figure out what part of me is what is an impossibility and a waste of time and energy.

I know I should not be posting in this thread at all, but I was diagnosed when I was 13.

At first, I had no idea what my specialist was talking
about because I thought my specialist was saying "Alzheimer's" or "Asparagus."

Over the course of time, I have accepted me being on the spectrum
as part of my human essence.

My life changed radically around the time I learned about AS, so my awareness of it is just part of my new life.

As a teacher of the Alexander Technique, I work with clients who have chronic life long conditions. Often, one of my clients will say, "I had a good week last week, that is until I over did it and did too much. I just forgot my limitations and pushed too hard."

This is a very good example of how many people in the spectrum or otherwise, can forget their disability and need to remind themselves to live more mindfully with their limitations.

I can forget quite a few times, generally until I realise I have done something social or people related in either a clunky way or been trying too hard and come accross perhaps a bit odd.