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I am not a morning person. Living in a state of mild but constant anxiety isn't really conducive to a "good eight hours" sleep. I am generally lucky to get four.

I work as a freelance website designer and my job can take me anywhere in South Wales. Driving, while processing everything that's happening around me, requires an awful lot of concentration. I need to mentally prepare myself for the tasks ahead, so I use public transport.

I have to go over the details of the journey in my mind several times before leaving the house. I need to take the correct change for my fare, plus some extra in case the fare has gone up without anyone telling me. I have to arrive at the bus stop or train station at least twenty minutes early. I work out where everything is: my phone, keys, wallet and my passport (I always have it with me). I keep an empty pocket for my ticket.

Work can be gruelling. Social interaction works by using subtle and beautiful rules, verbal and non verbal. Most people know these rules without thinking about them; unfortunately I was never given them; I don't really know if you are happy, sad, angry, curious or bored.

I find it difficult to socialise and small talk is a complete mystery to me. I don't want people to think I am being standoffish, but I find it very difficult to initiate a conversation, let alone keep one going.

Meeting new people can be overwhelming for me, so before I arrive at a new client's office, I prepare a couple of phrases. These vary a bit. If I am particularly flustered, it is usually something along the lines of: 'Can you believe all of this rain we've been having?' Or 'its a lovely day, shame we are stuck in the office isn't it?'

Sometimes if I remember, I may ask something like: 'have you worked here long?' Or 'are you looking forward to the weekend?'

This gives me time to get my bearings, process who this person is and what they are called. I find myself saying the same phrases a lot throughout the day, hoping that nobody notices.

I have to be careful, because if I start talking about a specific subject, I tend not to know when to stop, which can make people uncomfortable.

I am very sensitive to the fluorescent lighting in offices; they flicker 100 times per second. It gives me a headache and makes me sleepy. I always carry paracetemol with me.

My evenings are strict routines of cooking, surfing the web and TV, interrupted only for a cuddle and some time on the sofa with my partner Emma. I try to be very aware of Emma's needs because it is easy for me to become absorbed in things. I can break routines for Emma, although I admit breaking routines can make me a bit short tempered at times. The best part of my day is time spent with her.

Then, the arduous struggle to get to sleep begins again, as my brain inevitably fails to shut down for the night. Half of the night is spent reading. I visualise anything I read, which helps me drift off to sleep eventually.

Autism blogs I have enjoyed recently

•. Stuart has a young son with Autism and provides great support articles for parents and some very insightful opinions on Autistic issues.

•. This is written by an incredibly talented artist called Amy Murphy, who has Aspergers. Amy sees the world in a very unique and wonderful way.

• is a blog and autism community. It is a fantastic resource for news and views on all types of autism supported by a vast community - as far as I know the biggest autistic community on-line.

Lee Anthony Smith blogs about Autism issues at . Or follow him on Twitter .