So I have been practicing my game lately and I'm starting to notice my sticking point. I am able to approach, I know when to use situational openers and when to be direct. I can be engaging and I am pretty good with topic threading and shaping. My biggest problem is kino escalation. I'm not sure why but I just freeze up and it even ruins my "verbal game" whenever I even think about initiating kino. I've never been the kind of person that touches everyone and I've even kind shied away if some one touched me (I'd flinch from some one putting their hand on my shoulder, not from fear but just discomfort). I think the lack of kino ultimately lands me in the friend zone and/or creates incongruence. I try to "just do it" but it usually throws me off and I am unable to escalate.

Does/did anyone else have this problem?

Don't think, just do it. Physical touch is far more important than any verbal routine. Don't care about the outcome.
If she's resistant to your touch (she's not an animal she won't bite you, you know), don't make it like a big deal just smile, it's her ASD responding to you, just make sure that you try again later - persistence = attraction.
Every set try to embed the kino into your game, at first fake that you are comfort with it (if you show that you are discomfort with the touch she will also feel that way), and within time you'll get used to it and eventually you'll see how much fun it is to escalate fast without any witty comebacks or some special routines.

By the way, if she's not resistant to your touch, you are in. Now escalate further.

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"Despite all the giggling, blushing and talk about having a deep connection, it all ends
with a cock in her mouth." ~60 Years Of Challenge