Poopsie

I don’t normally go around thinking that just because someone acts very differently, it means they have a disorder, but my new bf exhibits such odd behaviors, that I started wondering. A friend of mine said that he sounds like her brother, who is autistic. These are my observations:

He has had a hard time keeping a steady job, and has been to 3 different colleges. He gets As in his 2 law classes, but asks very peculiar questions in class.

If I touch him, sometimes he gasps. Or if I touch him in a nice way, sometimes he says “ouch.” Whenever I hug him, he grimaces, but still hugs me back, although it feels a bit awkward.

He doesn’t like to wear jeans because they are uncomfortable. One time, he said that his stress level was high because he felt “trapped” in his clothing, so he took off his shirt. He likes when I wear soft clothes.

He doesn’t compliment me ever.

He doesn’t look directly at me, but seems to be getting better.

Once I pointed out to him that he had a big smile, and he told me not to tell him that. He then covered his ears and shut his eyes.

Sometimes he smiles at odd moments, and makes rude comments.

He told me that I talk really fast, and did an impression of it. I know I don’t sound that way, although it was funny, and I didn’t get mad at him for it. He says that when I talk close to him, he can feel the vibrations. He also said that I “move” fast. (Not meaning our relationship.) He said that my brain “moves” faster than his, and that I should not get all the advantages, or something like that.

General stuff like he seems really shy, has a messy apartment, has tummy problems, no friends. At times he seems normal, but others, somewhere else. I don’t have a problem with him as of yet, but I don’t know for absolutely sure if he has it, or if he even knows. He’s mentioned that he’s 31 and doesn’t know why he’s not farther ahead in life. I feel bad, but I don’t know if I can handle this long-term. Like the job thing, for example. I told him that he was very unique, and liked his abstract thinking, and he curled into a ball (we were sitting on my bed) and said, “No one has ever said that before, nope, no one.” He was laughing, and then I started laughing. I’m not sure why, but it was really funny. He’s really nice-looking, gets good grades, interesting to talk to, and really likes me. I like him, but sometimes I get a bit freaked out by his behavior and I don’t like his rude comments. What can I do, if anything? Maybe I just need some reassurance? I don’t want to point blank ask him, either. Can you tell I’m confused? (I hope no one is offended by this post.)