Hi E-Ticket,
I’m right there with you. Small talk, talk about non-substantive subjects, or talk about substantive subjects I care about but with someone who is clueless used to feel like death to me. I couldn’t stand it. I found that participating in discussion boards like this one helped a lot because everyone knows what they are here to talk about and many of them are quite knowledgeable. If you search the net you’ll find discussion boards on virtually everything.
It got a little easier when I had a child. I’m not really into bragging about my child like so many parents are, but at least it gives me something I have in common with other parents.
The best help came when I started taking Focalin. I’ve never found medication to help with my worst symptoms, but Focalin did help to be able to talk to others. Sometimes it helps too much and I don’t stop talking. I think some of our friends wish I would go back to the quiet guy they met 