Well, I did exhibit a few symptoms as a child that can overlap with the diagnosis of autism, such as echolalia and palilalia (repeating phrases from yourself or others). There were also periods in my childhood (generally later on, more likely related to trauma than intrinsic communication difficulty), where I did find it sometimes difficult to communicate with others in certain situations. I highly doubt a child would have gotten diagnosed with autism in the 80s though if they weren't far along the spectrum for it though. I haven't been diagnosed with anything, but I'd say ADHD is likely more fitting as a diagnosis were I to receive one, as I do get rather obsessive with interests and find it difficult to focus on that which I am not passionate about. I don't think autism applies in my case, given that I am actually quite astute in regards to reading other people's emotional states. I'm very aware of what is socially appropriate, and good at navigating nearly every social situation. I'm quite aware of my own complex soup of feelings as well, and am always able to determine why I feel the way I do about any given thing (or think I do anyway, I'm sure I'm wrong sometimes).
I am a weird dude though, and though I am quite good at talking to anyone, it did take some time growing up to become skilled at this. I tend to not rant excessively to most people about my various passions to others, for example, because they generally don't care. If I sense that they will be ok with it, I'll open up more, and etc... All social interactions I undertake, I'm trying to read the room and adapt my behavior accordingly. It's something that happens at a subconscious level at this point.
Being here is kind of nice though. I am really able to express certain facets of myself that are generally more muted in most social interactions I have in real life.