I really like a girl but I fear my mates and my autism might spoil it for me

DEAR DEIDRE: I’M trying my best to be proud of my autism but sometimes lose my confidence and get terrible anxiety.

I’m a guy of 18 and single. I’m studying computer programming, love my course and have made a few friends.

I was diagnosed with autism at 13 and am fine with this – it answered questions I always had about myself.

I can be the class clown and people seem to like it. They laugh at the things I do and say.

There’s a girl at college I was out to impress.

She’s 17 and really pretty. She was in the canteen yesterday and I was messing about, trying to catch her eye. But my mate held his foot out and I tripped up, dropping my whole tray.

Everyone laughed. I was mortified. I can’t face college today because I feel my stupidity is down to my autism.

DEIDRE SAYS:  This could have happened to any of your friends. Tripping up has nothing to do with autism.

It is perfectly normal to feel worried or embarrassed in front of somebody we are out to impress. But although you’re feeling this way, the girl you like may well admire the confidence you give off.

Find support through Ambitious about Autism ((020 8815 5444) and anxietyuk.org.uk (03444 775 774). My support pack Learning About Relationships will hopefully help you too.

Pictures posed by models.