Hi @denmarkguy, I have dealt and am still living with a friend of mine who is autistic. We didn't know until she mentioned. Previously, I used to think why was it so tiring to talk to her eventhough she just basically talk about normal stuff. I kid you now, she is a nice person with good-heart. Later on, we found out together that her brain simply wired up in different way and she can't understand how we feel so when she talks or communicate, it does sound like everything is about her. But words are limited to express how she truly feels.
And yes, she ended up not having many friends. People will start to avoid her because they felt that they are tired whenever she is around.
When I am tired, I would cut down communication with her. Meanwhile, as of now, I am helping her to thrive more. I am still struggling to breath on top of the water because it is true, she suck out energy from me (yet it is not intentional).
I just need to learn to listen to her heart and not her words. To put on more patience when I talk to her. Or just simply being around her.