At the beginning of the year, I had watched a podcast about “Stranger Danger.” This concept was enforced by my parents early on. They did this as soon as I understand things. Over time, I developed a strong understanding of what was acceptable and what was not. This happened because I gained a better understanding of what was logical to do and what was not. The world is very dangerous today. It is important to be aware of strangers. Always be cautious in these situations.

As I moved out on my own, I got my second apartment. I had to learn to be more independent. I became keener on knowing who was acceptable to entertain and who was not. There is significant value in having surveillance cameras where they are needed, as they are in my situation. They are a valuable prevention tool. These cameras prevent interactions with those who try to prey or knock on your door. They act as a defense mechanism so you don’t have to engage with the person in real life.

A few days before I had watched this podcast, I had a scammer come to my door. They tried to make me believe something that wasn’t true. I had the ability to interact with them through my phone. This allowed me to be safe without becoming vulnerable. Where I live, many people try to get our attention. They include people running for elected office. School union members come with petitions. Others leave fliers for community events. Various soulwinning religious groups also visit. I have had them all at my door. I can interact with them without being near them. I only get close if I know I am totally safe. This prevents issues from happening.

The same can be said for the online world too. While I have made many friends in a safe way. They are at levels that are different from those in real life. The things I share with them differ for each circle of trust they are in. Sharing is also influenced by how it is done. It also involves recognizing boundaries and comfort levels. Understanding when something makes me uncomfortable is crucial. It signals a full stop from the situation. It is also about recognizing that a true friend respects your boundaries and wishes. A true friend is not needy and does not cause a toxic friendship that can bring you down mentally. We as autistic people can crave connection. There are healthy ways to do it that makes it safe. It requires logic and understanding. It also involves work, common sense, and a moral ground for pursuing what we want in a connection.

Autism can bring us down. But I am grateful and blessed. I have always understood stranger danger. I respect myself and others, along with my and their privacy. I understand boundaries and expectations. It’s just common sense and awareness of safety in a world that seems scarier as time passes. I avoid being too trusting and know there must be limits to what we do. Sometimes, it just takes limiting ourselves to those we fully trust to keep us safe.