In friendship, like many autistic people, I am sort of shy. I saw a friend the other day who was meeting some new people. He covered his face and hid in his jacket. I used to do that sometimes when I was small. Sometimes I even hid in my closet when a lot of company came over.
Though I don’t hide anymore, I’m still shy. I hide in myself. People hide in their stims too, or by leaving the room. It’s anxiety, I think, not stupidity or indifference to people. It’s sensory overwhelming sensations that come in strong emotions.