That's a nice, negative outlook and seeing as this is based on personal observation (ie anecdotes) and you made a grand sweeping statement: It's not hard to see that you are wrong if you've spent any time interacting with someone on the spectrum that has found a spot in society they fit into.

I'd say that this is no different for neurotypical people. If you find a good place where you can work and someone can pay you for it, and you can furnish your life in such a way that it doesn't clash with you, then you will be happy. Your premise that it compares at all to something that gives someone constant low-key pain is spurious and does a disservice to the fine human beings it refers to.

I'm talking about falling into the uncanny valley of appearing almost human, and creeping people out.

I'm talking about getting blindsided by some bad noise or light or thing moving wrong, and having to leave right in the middle of something.

I'm talking about remembering to actively suppress your urge to rock or fidget, because otherwise people will start treating you like you're nuts.

I'm talking about not knowing that people are pissed off at you, for weeks, even years, even though everyone around you knows it, but won't say anything because you're expected to know.

I'm talking about not being able to look in someone's eyes, but knowing you're expected to, and some days it's especially hard.

I'm talking about the room suddenly becoming silent, again, and you're left wondering what you fucked up this time.

I'm talking about relationships slowly going off the rails because you can't seem to express yourself properly, and the other person, though trying to be understanding, is losing patience.

Like arthritis, it creeps and moves, and some things are painful one day, not painful the next. But it's ever present, and catches you unaware.

I just want to say that you captured the pain and suffering you feel very well here. This is very well put, it's beautiful and poetic in its own way, and it really helped me understand how you must feel.

> Autism is at best as much fun as being born with arthritis.

...for some but not all autistic people.