I’m autistic (diagnosed, level 1) and work in a social environment 🥲
I wanted to reduce my masking and actually improve my communication.
At some point I realized:
The problem isn’t really a “lack of social skills.”
It feels more like a language difference.
I started treating neurotypical communication like a foreign language:
building “grammar” rules, learning cultural norms, picking up useful phrases, and practicing them in real life.
At first it was clumsy and slow, with a heavy autistic “accent.”
Then it got faster.
Now, in the areas I’ve trained, it comes more naturally.
As a result:
My social anxiety is lower, and communication doesn’t drain me as much.
I still have a slight “autistic accent,” but conversations flow more easily, with far fewer awkward pauses.
I’ve also made neurotypical friends.
I’m still exploring this.
It’s a lot of work, but it feels worth it.
Curious where this approach will lead.