An example I remember her saying is that my need for constant positive attention and external validation "isn't from NPD" but from "a need to feel seen" bc of my childhood trauma, for example. I am also autistic so I imagine she is seeing the same overlap that you do between you and your autistic friends! Stuff like my maladaptive daydreaming of myself as the most loved, charming, intelligent etc. person; making friendships which mainly function to boost my self esteem; and the hierarchal way I categorise who is worth my time and who isn't, I said I thought was normal and she didn't disagree. She said all she saw was a person who was deeply self-aware. I wouldn't say my jealousy is all-consuming to be fair, but insecurities definitely. I do have complex trauma so I guess that's to be expected