Walking away in conversations/not reacting

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Does anybody else do it?

Not much of a problem in formal situations where I make the utmost effort to be mindful of social rules. But it is in situations with family and friends where I'm more my normal self. I'm pretty sure it's not the ADHD, but the autism.

It's difficult to describe, but I'll try.

They tell me something – then I sort of "forget" to stay to listen and walk away. J. tells me about a series we like, we talk and it is her turn and I walk out of the room. I'm still interested though.

They ask me something – I talked to them before but then I don't answer. Mom asks me about dinner but I don't react. I want her to make the right thing for dinner though and tell her if she asks again later or when I notice she asked me to get an answer.

I hear them just fine.

Or I'll talk and then stop just like that until I remember or get reminded to continue. Sometimes I walk away while still talking.

I participate in the conversation before and I notice afterwards that obviously my conversational partner did not start talking to the wall but that they were (still) talking to me. And that I need to respond.

Well family and friends are used to it. I don't think they care. So I guess trying to stop/change is unnecessary. I never noticed so much before today anyway. But I do this in so many conversations, either walk away and come back or answer questions after several prompts. It's rather funny, especially because nobody minds.

I remember this being my usual reaction when spoken to by somebody from before I improved much at age 5. That's why I think it's autism-related, too.

Any idea? Does it happen to you? Did it happen in your childhood?

I used to space out and look the other way during a conversation, loosing track of what the other person was saying. I don't do that anymore though.

Yes, I've gotten in trouble for walking away from conversations I didn't know weren't over.

I do this all the time. I guess I should work on it. Another thing I do is stand around looking creepy because I want to say something to someone and they are busy talking to someone else. I don't know when to interrupt or how to join in on their conversation. It's very difficult for me to get into the rhythm of conversations.

Oh, I know that too, being uncertain whether a conversation is over. I've worked a lot on it for conversations with strangers.

Hmm... what I described above feels different to that somehow.

If I walk away like this or forget to talk, I do know the conversations are not over. I listen to them still and know what they're saying, too.

The other person gets the impression I'm not listening or haven't heard them.

Though of course, family and friends know by now that if I do not react it usually does not mean I'm not listening and that I'll resume the conversation afterwards.

Use to do it, now I just make myself stay.