I have created a matrix space for autistic people. the invite link is here

Please let me know if there are any problems with the invite link.

I have the "I hate feeling wet/oily when I'm supposed to be dry" autism. I also have the "It feels like 10s of itchy razor-blade cuts when my skin is so dry it cracks" autism. This cold front has my skin too dry and cracked. It's about to be worse than air drying after swimming at the beach and then putting on a shirt. I'm running out of meltdown prevention juice. Does anyone have any lotion or other remedies? I'm like 3 tragedies away from meltdown.

Winner: CeraVe Daily Moisturizing Lotion!! And CeraVe PM for the faceeee!! I feel my skin starting to be less mad at me already. Thank you everyone!

Disclaimer: I am not diagnosed autistic and don’t officially self identify. The following is just an attempt at understanding the lived experience. Nevertheless I relate to a lot of the experiences of the community and I am researching autism, as much as my energy and time allows for quite some time now. Also my doctor is telling me to look into autism as a possibility. This post is not describing my experience as a whole, but one aspect.

I have a question for people on the spectrum (especially that have masked very heavily) and I am trying to find people that relate to the following:

Did you have problems with your self esteem/ confidence, when it comes to decisions that may involve other people? E.g. you ask a lot if it is ok to do something, like putting your shoes in the hallway in front of my room (this is in a shared apartment). Afterwards I question if I have asked too much and if that was necessary, but also feel guilty, when I don’t ask.

How to make any good decisions if the mask is so ingrained in oneself? I feel like I will never be myself again. I can’t hide myself anymore and I can’t not, if that makes sense.

I wanted to explain more but I don’t have the energy rn. I hope someone understands this. I don’t even know if I’m asking for help or just getting things out of my head…

Edit: The reason I am writing this is because I feel like I don't have the energy anymore and am starting to relive more and more of the experiences that I had when I was younger and wasn't accepted most of the time.

Edit2: I didn't know if the post fits in this community. If it doesn't, I'll delete it and post someplace else.

I have been busy with studies and getting certified as a network person lately. how are you?

Hey all, and thank you to Pandoras_box for booting up this server.

So, the subject says it all -- I got a diagnosis last week! Maybe a year and a half ago I started watching vids on youtube about adult diagnosis (I'm in my 40s), and I kept going "huh. ok. well THAT would certainly answer this question.. and that about my childhood.. and my marriage.. and my obsessive hobbies.. and, and, and..." So I kind of rolled with it for a while. But it got to the point where I really needed to know. Imposter syndrome. Using a half-baked excuse with my family members like "well IF I'm on the spectrum, ..." But now I know! Such a relief.... I was so nervous in the days leading up to it, that I'd be told "sorry... you've just got a case of anxiety and OCD" or something.

Also, I haven't been billed yet, but it looks like it's going to be mostly covered by my insurance, which is amazing. (Honestly, I probably wouldn't have done it if it was going to be a thousand dollars+++ out of pocket.)

Umm. Anyway it's still sinking in. But I just wanted to share my excitement with y'all lemmings who understand. ^^_^^ Thanks for reading.

As a autistic trans person who has little to no ability to mask and the current "administration" we have in America. What is things I can do to survive it knowing that most places for community around me are not disability or autism friendly. At least not towards me.