Do autistics get exhausted from socializing?

Do autistic people typically get easily exhausted from socializing?

Hmmm…

Let me tell you a quick story. A number of years ago a friend and I reunited via email. She asked me when we could get together for a dinner.

I thought it over for a moment and said: “May”.

She said, “That is 6 months away”.

I responded, “Yes I know, I can’t get together with a friend more than once per month, and that is my next free engagement” (That was me before I knew I am autistic).

She thought I was kidding—I was not.

Post-socializing

Let’s see if I can show you in pictures what I’m like post-socializing:

This is me after my friend and I went out for a nice lunch:

And here I am after the cashier at the store asked me about my day:

Then here I am again after parent–teacher interviews:

And this is me when I get back from after taking my dog and myself for a walk, and the other dog owners like to chat:

Here is the day I had friends over last year for a meal:

All images above from: Amazing Creatures

Spending time with friends is a HUGE thing for me. And even when I decide, “yes, that would be a great idea” and do make plans…