To ask how you would have handled this scenario?

[EbbyEbs]

I’m diagnosed autistic, I’m also a huge introvert with social anxiety. I don’t do well in social interactions as you can imagine.

So imagine the scene … you walk into a small play park mid afternoon. the sky is black and thunderstorms are forecast. It’s deserted apart from a woman sat cradling/trying to breast feed a screaming baby. Woman appears to be crying.

You also have a toddler with you. It starts to rain, woman continues sitting in the rain with the well wrapped up baby.

How would you have acted?

Approached her? What would you say? Would you have given her privacy and left her alone?

As someone with autism too, I wouldn't have wanted someone to approach me if I was crying in a park, and probably would have felt quite embarrassed had someone witnessed my meltdown. It's impossible to know what's the right thing to do with people you don't know. You didn't do anything wrong.

Exactly.

It's difficult to know what to do ... years ago a girl was sobbing on the stairs at college, I approached her and asked if she was OK and could I help ... she snapped my head off .... equally I've offered to help people and three hours later they are still sobbing and giving me their life story ... I used to volunteer with someone and suppose I was a 'friendly ear'.... but it's over six years since we volunteered together and she still seeks (we live in the same small town) me out to unburden her problems on to ... I am running out of empathy.

Op she may be like you and not wanted yoto come over to her. If someone is crying it is not usually for attention, it may be the last thing she wants and perhaps just needed some space away from the house and some time to think particularly as it was raining, she was more guaranteed that. Of course, she may have appreciated a friendly hello but not always.

I understand where you are coming from. I was that woman once and honestly would have dies if someone had come over asking me if I needed help. I am also socially awkward and would prefer to be left crying on my own.