the best thing I've found is to be around people who are familiar with autistic traits and people you feel comfortable around. also I've had to adjust to accepting that I benefit from things like noise cancelling headphones, and so carrying them around with me often makes it easier to remember to use them

as someone who was also diagnosed in adulthood, its hard to not feel ashamed. Autism is often fed to the masses as an infantilized mental disorder. finding support within people close to you is very important to feel comfortable. Of course, you do not need to wear autism on your sleeve either. It often isn't obvious when someone has autism (it doesnt matter anyway BUT it helped me earlier on to think that no one knew). If anyone ever begins to behave differently around you that isnt to accommodate or to comfort, be careful and remember your worth.

just be yourself. you don't have to start "acting autistic" to be autistic. I never learned how to mask, but i think that's mostly because i dont care how other people perceive me. it's just never been important. feel free to talk about your feelings more, etc. but you don't need to start running around the store flapping and melting down constantly to "prove" yourself to anyone