Hello. I am new to this platform so I’ll keep this brief.
I was essentially raised in a cult with my autistic siblings being the only social circle I had for most of my childhood. I don’t understand much of anything and when I act like I do, it gets awkward.
My acting Professor said specificity in charachter work was THE key to a good performance. Now when my classmates don’t know an answer, every time, they just say the buzzword… “Uh…specificity?” Everyone laughs. My understanding was that the repetition was the punchline. In actuality, it is a satire of how seriously she takes the craft, since the buzzword often changes.
How can I learn how to socialize with neurotypicals?
Whenever you enter a new (sub-)culture, you have to learn the social norms. Some people have an easier time, others have a harder time. There’s not much advice we can give you, since every culture is different. Some value privacy, others openness and honesty. Some communicate stuff via head nods, others by how far you stand away, and others by pitching the tone of their voices.
You will learn too, but it will take lots of exposure and trying. Some people will dislike you for not understanding, others will be forgiving. How much you should make allowances and whether it makes sense to tell them that you are autistic depends on their specific culture and personalities. So, uh, good luck.
note: (sub-)culture here does not mean only the nation you’re in, but it can change group-to-group. Essentially it’s the vibe that a group has.