My friends continually wonder if I am on the autism spectrum, but I've already had that ruled out by a clinical psychologist.
As the title says, my friends often make reference to what they consider unusual behavior or ways of thinking, and they ascribe this to potential ASD. Throughout my entire life, people have made comments about me being "odd", although I often don't know what specifically they are referring to. I can be a bit gullible, for lack of a better word, and take some things literally when they are not intended to be, although not always. Due to this and some social difficulties, I sought an evaluation with a clinical psychologist a few years ago (about age 23, now 27). In her write up and during the assessment, she made it clear she had no indications, based on my behavior, that I am on the autism spectrum. I pick up on social cues very well (maybe too well, ie social anxiety), had no developmental delays as a child (learned most things quickly and had some friends), and although I have facial tics and repetitive motor behaviors, she thinks they are better explained by anxiety. I was, however, diagnosed with ADHD (primarily inattentive), and this might explain some things I've described.
Overall, I still find myself confused, as people continue to find me "strange", although not typically in a way they seem upset by. I do struggle everyday with doing the things I need to do, and I have social interactions that leave me feeling embarrassed or misunderstood quite often. My friends and others seem so convinced there is some social defecit behind my behavior, but I feel as though I have no explanation as to what causes me to be this way. It makes me feel as if I have something inherently wrong with me, whereas if I had some sort of diagnosable reason I could excuse it within myself. What do they see that I don't?