Hi all. I've always just been a different kid. I've always struggled with communication. For example, if any of you guys have played baseball before, you may have done a drill where you yell each others name while playing catch, for some I just never could. I just couldn't yell the other persons name.
At work, somebody will try to talk to me and I'll respond with the most awkward thing ever. Someone asks me how I'm doing, and for the longest time I couldn't even answer. The words wouldn't come out. I grew out of that, and learned to say "I'm good, how are you" but then the conversation ends there. Like what do I say next? Well I know what to say, but I just can't say it. The words don't come out.
I struggle with eye contact big time. Especially when I don't know someone super well. Even if they're super important and the person who decides if I get a promotion or not, I can't keep eye contact. It comes off so disrespectful and I hate it.
I'm not sure if this applies, but when going to someone's house who has pets, I tend to spend a lot of time with the pets to avoid eye contact and conversation.
If I have autism where can I go to get tested? Just my family doctor?
Edit: I know WHAT to say. I just can't say it. Lots of times I say something and it is disrespectful or inappropriate and I don't even realize it