It is all woven together, isn't it. I'm glad that you have a definite diagnosis, and that you like being autistic. I've been looking back at some possible autistic meltdowns too, although what I remember is that I wanted to be heard, and the meltdown was sheer frustration at the blank walls I was encountering.

Yay for not drinking or hitting people or practicing constant self-centeredness! I've worked at being unlike my parents in those ways too, and it's good to be reminded that that's a success, even if I'm not masking weirdness.