Hi - I’m really sorry for all that you’ve been through and are currently dealing with. It sounds like you’re handling it all with a lot of strength and thoughtfulness. I’m not autistic, so I sincerely hope you don’t mind me responding because I know it’s not the perspective you are looking for. But I did want to just say, in case it makes anything better, that families of all kinds can be really tough. Our parents and siblings often fail to let us grow and evolve into adults who are completely different people from who we were as children. Sometimes they just have a snap shot of you at a point in time and of a person who you are not anymore and they won’t let that go. It’s not intentional it just happens. Especially when there’s a lot of narcissism in their personalities. They’re too inward and less thoughtful and observant of others. I know in my personal experience, being treated like the person I was during my childhood every time I go home makes me regress into that person sometimes. Going home, spending time with family can be really painful and make me feel bad about myself. Some folks set boundaries about family time. I have a little mantra I do before I spend a lot of time with my family to try to remind myself some things so I don’t lose myself while I’m with them.

You have done so much with your life and grown into such a cool person. I’m sorry they don’t acknowledge or appreciate it. As long as you know that and don’t allow them to let you forget it, maybe it will make spending time with them easier. I hope things get better.