robert7111a

Hmmm...some very good points but I don't think it's as easy as it sounds for me personally. I cannot be a chemeleon, blend in and then act like somebody else. This could be construed in the wrong way by some people and get you into trouble. Why act out of character? Perhaps I am missing something. For me, this is confidence. I would not have the confidence to blend in a group and imitate certain people without making a t*t of myself. I really lack confidence in a group situation and it shows. My anxiety really shines through. I think I will sit this one out and perhaps ask A-S Warrior to seriously consider confidence in your next episode...this does tie in with motivation. If you are not confident about something, you will not have the motivation to do it. Sorry A-S Warrior but I don't think I can relate to this one unless you can prove to me otherwise

The first time, gave me a real rush. I was 16 and driving an electric passenger train (with driver watching) which was illegal. But in those days, drivers could flaunt the rules before the H&S stepped in And you didn't have all the idiots who cut you up, didn't indicate, etc etc

When I heard somebody I used to work with trained as a life coach, I did ask myself the same question. But, I've had to learn social skills by observation etc and still have a long way to go. Seeing my daughter converse naturally with her friends makes me feel I'm missing out (and brings back the fact that I missed out during my teens). She knows (after I told her) about my AS and although she is fine with it, I still need to learn the social lingo of teens (in particular) and body language etc.

I hope everything goes well for you and hassle-free. Do report back and tell us how it went

The only ones I would remember (and use the most) are LOL ROFL WTF? OMG! IMO IMHO and that's about it. But it's nice to have a kind of dictionary on here to look things up if needed but I would probably be too lazy to use it

I'm a maybe but would be extremely self concious and anxious with a crowd, therefore 1 or 2 people at a time would suit me better. And then what happens if I feel the meet doesn't go well, will this influence the views of the other person or change the dynamics on this forum? On the one hand, I would love to meet some of you but on the other hand would be constantly worrying if it didn't go well. But then I suppose this is the same for everybody... Oh and I'm a bit old for hitting bars...I can't take all-day binge drinking.

Shnoing, are you willing to share your experiences?

Less pressure and anxiety with strangers.

Um, I'm not up on all this lingo Darkshine so I'm most grateful and will find a way to "sticky" your post.

I learnt to drive later in life simply because I never had the need to own a car. My parents never owned a car and we walked everywhere as work/school was at most, 3 miles away. The first "lot" of lessons I had was with a very well known national driving school where the instructor treated me like a dork. He didn't know I had anything wrong with me. After 8 lessons, I "sacked" the company and went with an independent bloke who treated me like a proper human being and I passed first time. I couldn't wait to get out on the motorway in my "new" second-hand battered Astra just weeks before my daughter was born. I have driven trains before on British Rail but obviously these are different monsters. I don't have problems multitasking in a car apart from not being able to concentrate properly with passengers and the radio going at the same time.

Yeh thanks pabs, I saw his site before but didn't get round to contacting him. I'll do it after the weekend

I've never heard of anyone ironing laces...

ARRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRGGGGGGGGGGGGHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I feel better now....

Seeing my wife and daughter after a looooong week Buying that bottle of wine to take home on a Thursday night Being behind a camera and grabbing that shot listening to the chord of Gm on the organ in quiet and its relative harmonics being a bit wierd....

Exactly my point Special_talent123, even MIND's own website says BPD is "contraversal". So either there is a personality disorder - or there isn't

Admittingly I don't use the eye moisturiser as often as I should so can't really comment on whether it works. I still have the bags... The Bic is usually clean and with the protective thing on so unless she has used it, washed it under the shower (with shower gel and girlie shampoo) to hide the evidence and make it look like new, I would never know...(winks as can't do smilies on this PC) Personally, like you LancsLad, I don't believe in shower gels or their purpose especially when you're going to wash it all off anyway. I'd rather spend the money on a bottle of plonk but I'm veering off-topic now

Cheers Darkshine ! (and on a works PC so can't do smilies - hrumph!)

I agree with Tally and a couple of your ideas. Preparation is key and knowing the schedule beforehand will be one less thing to worry about. Is this a church wedding? Are the boys likely to be disruptive? Your daughter especially won't want to be embarrassed as it's a big day for her too. Perhaps if the setting allows, could the boys play outside with an occasional watchful eye. Otherwise it might well be they would have go back to the Travelodge and watch TV etc or they can bring some games etc to keep them occupied. Perhaps they could even play these at the back of the church (providing the sound is switched off!) so at least they are preoccupied and won't disrupt the service or cause any embarrassment

This sounds like an impulse-compulsive disorder where Charlie's mind feels detached from his body - i.e. an altered state of conciousness (such as seen with mind-altering drugs or substance abuse). Occurs in tandem with OCD, anxiety and depression where the person always feels shame and guilt. Other than anxiety drugs (which themselves can be mind-altering), insight-orientated therapy or CBT seems to be the only treatment for this disorder. More research is needed...

My wife's disposal "Bic" razors, aftershave (which she bought for me),her deoderant, her soap (except for shaving), my own under-eye moisturiser for my bags - does that mean I'm a big sissy...? Not a fan of shower gels, face scrubs etc.etc

Hello to all Does anyone know, or has even heard of a life coach who specialises in people with ASD? I have tried googling in my area (London) and nothing comes up Clearly a niche in the market here...

You haven't mentioned Friday or Saturday... As for the resturant meal, if my wife was paying, I would jump at the chance!

Erm...the link didn't work ! (ahem...) But cheers anyway sport! I know it's nice to be appreciated hey...

Oh I forgot, your GP could run basic health checks like bloods etc to check for hormone imbalance etc etc

Could you not go with a trusted friend? You cannot do this alone