I guess I will go ahead and introduce myself

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So, technically I joined almost a year ago, but I never bothered to post or get involved. In fact, I had to sign-up again because I was unable to recall what my password and nickname were.

Hopefully, my second time here will be more successful. With that said, I might as well introduce myself.

I am 28 year old graduate student (working on a joint JD/MBA), and I have been formerly diagnosed with ASD for two years (though I have known something was off since middle school).

I am trying to figure this whole life thing out. My biggest concern is surviving in a world that increasingly punishes and judges the socially awkward while rewarding the gregarious extroverts (whether they merit it or not).

That probably came off as rather bitter. I suppose having only a year left in school before I am thrusted into the working world is contributing to my negative sentiments. Perhaps I feel caught in a catch-22, where if I don't tell people about why I am so awkward, then they think I am weird and cold. But if I do tell them that I am on the spectrum, then, instead of trying to understand, they no longer treat me as a peer and patronize me.

No matter. I can only push on as I always do. Though I guess being alone for over two years (I left home when I went to graduate school) has made me weary. I suppose that's why I finally decided to reach out. Although I have a hard time speaking sometimes (stuttering, speaking clearly, and even forgetting words), thankfully my writing has gotten to the point where I can communicate and have a voice.

Representing myself in an effective manner is a rare treat.

I will see how this "experiment" pans out. If I feel that I am getting something out of it, then I will remain active. Otherwise, I will find something else.

Welcome to WrongPlanet.

And I didn't start really participating in discussions here until 2½ years after I signed up, so don't sweat it... .

Based on your post, you might want to look at the "Social Skills and Making Friends" and "Work and Finding a Job" sub-forums, especially if you are going to join the workforce soon...

Welcome (back?) to Wrong Planet.

I hope that you enjoy being a part of the community and that you find friendship and support here.

Your bitterness is entirely reasonable. This is an overlooked issue of discrimination which, unfortunately, effects many of us here. Social skills are being judged as more important than the actual skills necessary to perform effectively in any given job, and perfectly able workers are suffering as a result.

I've heard of Aspies attending social skills/confidence training classes, but the effectiveness of such classes is likely dependent on the individual...

Anyway, welcome!

Welcome, algegon

GPPViper:

Thanks for the welcome. I will also check the forums you suggested. Fortunately, I have another year of schooling left before fully entering the "professional world." However, tomorrow I do have an interview for a summer internship (keep your fingers crossed). I have a good chance of getting it, and I usually do fine in interviews (I only encounter problems in unstructured settings).

But next year is not that far away. I especially need to learn how to get my name out there (doing the networking thing). A law degree lacks the luster it once had, and my grades are only above average (though in a curved system that means I perform better than over half of my peers). Anything that helps with social skills will be a godsend.

Kuribo:

Thanks for the warm welcome. I hope I can find some community as well. I have liked what I have seen thus far.

Discrimination is a problem. My last job did not have a happy ending due to "perceptions" of my abilities. It was also a government position which tend to have the best protections, or so I thought. I could have filed a complaint, but the risk of damaging my reputation were too great. Even if I got a lawyer to represent me (unlikely because the reward of receiving backpay wages would amount to little value) and somehow prevailed, I would be forever barred from a government position. While cognitively atypical people are a protected class under the civil right laws, reality differs substantially from the system's legality.

So, I ended up bargaining that I would go quietly in exchange for keeping the reason for dismissal quiet. The official story is that I resigned to concentrate on school. Admittedly, I wish I had done things differently. I should have been more assertive in seeking out work, and especially the work I am good at. My issues with concentration caused me to make occasional mistakes. And my social awkwardness probably caused concern how I would do at court proceeding (one time I spent two full days preparing for a hearing, only to have an attorney take it away from me at the last moment).

Thankfully I learn from my failures and setbacks. My last job taught me the importance of seeking to add value beyond the purpose you were originally hired for. With luck, I will be putting that mantra into practice at the position I am interviewing for.

Welcome to Wrong Planet!

Greetings and welcome to the Wrong Planet. I hope you find the support you looking for.

welcome