Funny, You Don't Look Autistic: A Comedian's Guide to Life on the Spectrum

by Michael McCreary

As someone with autism, I need closure. I need a concrete understanding that if we plan to meet somewhere at a certain time, it’s going to happen, and that if you need to cancel, you’ll notify me as early as possible. But a lot of people don’t think that way, because they have this device that lets them contact someone immediately, anytime.

It took me a while to learn this, but I finally realized that the people who matter are the ones who make time for you. Friendship is deeper than having mutual interests. Friendship is setting aside time in your day to help someone forget about life for a while.

Something every young adult on the spectrum has to work out for themselves is how independent they can be going into the future.

A conversation is like a relationship. It’s built on trust, and both parties must be engaged.

“You have to be on time, easy to work with, and good at what you do. If you are two out of three of these, you’ll be fine.”