When my parents take me to other people’s houses I am surrounded by people. Why? I just want to be alone so I can be with my own thoughts.
Listening to other people’s words can be tiring. Sometimes what they are talking about is boring and my mind cannot be free to do its own thinking. I don’t want to be with so many people sometimes because all I want to do is sit down and day dream.
Its different if there are people my own age. If they are interested in the things that I like then I can talk to them, like anything to do with sports or the books I am reading.
Sometimes, if they are children who I have known for a long time, I will make the effort to play a game that they are playing even if I don’t like it or if I haven’t played it before. This especially happens if I am with someone who explains the rules to me calmly before we start playing. I can then even have fun at the game especially if I am winning (if I am losing it can be frustrating).
But all this does make me very tired and I need to take breaks. I know when I have had enough. Thats why I always take something that I like to do with me when I go to houses. Then I can find a space to sit and do whatever I want.
People sometimes think sitting alone is sad but its not for me. That is how I relax and recharge.
Person with autism, age 11
