People-pleasing and its paradox

Autistic people are often told they lack social skills. That is wrong. In this episode, I break down the one skill autistic people are actually missing, and why it is not your fault.

I explain how this skill is supposed to be learned, why many autistic people never get taught it, and how that gap causes constant misunderstandings with other people. I share real examples from my own life, at work, in friendships, and in everyday conversations.

You will hear why people say things like “you should just know,” why guessing social rules is exhausting, and why masking feels like the only option. I also explain how this missing skill links to anxiety, shutdowns, burnout, and low confidence over time.

Most importantly, I explain what you can do instead of blaming yourself. You can build clarity. You can reduce confusion. You can stop assuming you are broken.

If you have ever felt behind, confused by people, or tired of pretending, this episode will help you understand what is really going on.