Autistic neighbour (new neighbour)

This individual sounds complex. Honestly, I’d avoid her.

Write her a nice straightforward note. Thank her for telling you she's autistic and ask her how she'd like you to interact with her most usefully.
The written word is consistent so she won't have to cope with your facial expression and tone of voice adding possibly confusing information.
Word it carefully and positively. It sounds like you're a friendly sort of person and keen to get on with others. Try not to use abstract or emotional words. Good luck.
Don't forget that there will be more to her than her autism. She may have unfortunate memories of a previous neighbour for example. It's likely that she'll be highly anxious too. A quite calm approach should help.

My experiences with people on the spectrum is that they are all so different. You’re already giving her some thought by trying a smile and a wave. If she appears unhappy with that, and is inclined to be combative, then ignoring her unless she specifically approaches you is probably better for both of you.
Things may settle down when she’s settled in-let’s hope they do.

I would let it be until she approaches you. If she is aggressive I would tell her kindly but firmly that that is not how you live your life, and then ignore her. Make sure you do not spoil your own activities and become very aware of what she is doing, just carry on as before.

As an equine therapist for many years, my wife worked with many autistic clients. If I understand her correctly, apparently autism is often only one among multiple mental challenges with which the individual struggles.

If I was in your position I would just be smiley and friendly towards her without getting involved in conversation Just a hand up and a good morning etc and carry on your way
that way you are showing her you are a pleasant friendly person without needing to get involved or be in any way threatening

I would just smile and say hello as you don't want to cause her to be fixated on you especially if she was a bit aggressive. Let her be if you can without feeling intimidated.

BlueBelle

If I was in your position I would just be smiley and friendly towards her without getting involved in conversation Just a hand up and a good morning etc and carry on your way
that way you are showing her you are a pleasant friendly person without needing to get involved or be in any way threatening

Sounds about the best thing to do.Does she live alone? If she needs anything she may come to talk to you in future.

Sounds as though she has announced she is Autistic and now feels she can behave as rudely as she wishes.

AVOID!

Well, I saw her again and smiled and said hello as we came face to face (Im just not a rude person but sometimes I wish I was!)

It seems like she's really uncomfortable with new people, but it really disturbed me when she said things that proved that she had been researching me. She knows too much for someone I've never spent time with! Very strange experience She was actually trying to sound like she knows more about my life than I do...

backing away slowly!

I wouldn’t be too happy with that. Keep a polite distance!

Onwardandupward
Have you put personal stuff on FB?

You don’t say whether she lives alone or with others? If there are others in the house perhaps you can have a word with them. Do you actually know she is diagnosed autistic or are you just taking her word for this? This is a complex situation with so many variables. It is difficult to see how to handle it .

She is an autistic person in new surroundings with new people.

Probably incredibly overestimated and overwhelmed.

You do not have to like each other. All you need is to be polite and have good boundaries. Simply leave conversations and situations that you aren't comfortable with.

Things may change in time

I don't know if she's diagnosed but I think she might live alone. I don't actually know anything about her other than she seems to know a lot about me.

She might have got stuff from FB, but I'm quite careful. I've got my security setting set as high as possible.

Overestimulated.

My phone does not know me well.

VS I am always polite (and friendly) but am now thinking of being much more reserved to people I don't know until they are more known- purely because I have clearly been researched to the point that I said something and she corrected me based on something she "knew" to be a fact about my life. She was actually wrong, but I let it go.

I think her observations are part stalky online research and part massive-huge assumptions. It has freaked me out a bit.

I'm not sure what else to advise

I wouldn't let it trouble you if it's not true

It's ok VS. I've never been researched to that level before- or at least if I have no one has ever admitted it. Unfortunately she did that thing people do when they only have half knowledge and jumped to huge conclusions about me that were wrong. It bothered me that she thinks she knows more about aspects of my life than I do, but I am going to practice being a lot more reserved. I have been saying for ages that I'm just too nice.

PS Oh, I just remembered she said she thinks she's Autistic but hasnt been tested yet.

To be fair, I dont really know what the right answer is to that when you haven't met the person before??

This is spooky stuff and you need to be careful. It does not sound like any autistic person I have come across but some do have obsessions and hers may involve researching her neighbours and you in particular especially if she doesn’t feel secure in her environment.

Yeah, it did freak me and I can't guess why someone would disclose that kind of information at first meeting.

Thanks.

Sago

Sounds as though she has announced she is Autistic and now feels she can behave as rudely as she wishes.

AVOID!

I agree with this, her autism, should not make you feel uncomfortable.

Be clear and set boundaries