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Hi, after much research and introspection I have self diagnoses myself if AS. I am in my late 50’s and I have suspected this for many years. After talking with my step- daughter (she’s an RN and my son-in-law is a general surgeon) we found a couple of on line tests which put me well into the AS range. It made sense and explained a lot about who I am and how I got here.

I have been as aerospace engineer for 35 years and feel like I have had a successful career. I have been a Chief Engineer, an Engineering Manager and a Director of Engineering. But in all cases I usually deal better with Tech than I do people. The more I read about AS the more lights came on in my head.

It all fit. I am not as introverted as I use to be and have managed to develop survival skills for social situations, but only if I have some sense of control. Put me in a room with my non-technical co-worker (finance, HR, operations, etc) and I am lost. Put me in a room where someone shares and common interests and I will rattle on.

Looking back I think the only way I got through college was by mimicking the behavior of others in social settings that I would otherwise not know how to act.

The last time I changed jobs the pressures at home and work almost drove me mad . My job was stressful and things and situations changed by the hour during the day. I smoked a pack a day and was heading down the road to alcoholism. My step-daughter suggested that I take Wellbutrin to stop smoking. It didn't work that way I expected. I lost my need to drink. I finally quit smoking when I just got tired of the time and money to took away from my life (and the fear of ED).
I was able to think clearer and do something that I could never do well before and that was multitask. It’s like a wonder drug to me, does anyone else have experience with this medication?

I can’t change the past, but at least it makes sense now. The real problem right now is that my wife thinks I am using this as an excuse to justify why I am the way I am (and not the way she wants me to be). I tell her I just want to understand why I do things that illicit a negative reaction from her. The thought that helps me through this is “I’m not an Ahole, I have Asperger’s.”

“When are you going to grow up” is her usual reaction to things I like to do as a hobby. I like to build and collect plastic models (Space and Sci-Fi), I like Japanese Anime and I build flying model rockets. I work with a group of high school students in an upcoming national championship rocket design contest. I tell her it helps to keep my mind young and fresh and creative and that helps me in my job.

I feel I have done well over the years. I was a NASA engineer and worked on the Space Shuttle. I designed and built autopilots for Drones before anyone even knew the word. I have been all over the world and I am still creating things that keep me employed.

I feel at this late stage treatment is really not necessary, and I am not sure my insurance would pay for me to get officially diagnosed and that would be just to convince my wife of what I already accept.

It was glad I found this site and this forum and I look forward to connecting with the community.

William

Well, welcome.

Greetings and welcome to WP from another engineer (retired). I too discovered very late in life what/who I am and like you, it explained a very great deal.

Welcome!

And yeah, I've been on bupropion for years with good results.

you desreve a better hi then I can give, right now. I'll try a bit...

I will say, loved ones aren't easy to... I don't want to say deal with after a revolation.... but, well... It is one hell of a moment when things, all of sudden start to fall into place.

As hard as I have tried and I've been at this an awful lot of years, I never could explain wtf is going on with my Bipolar. They, spouses (loved ones, even if you don't think you can feel) are always in my doc sessions, can ask questions, free to learn. But yet, it is damn near impossible to always know, in the moment, what to say in real life to let them know what is going on inside. I stopped, but haven't given up that there is a way.

I said that awful word Bipolar, I have more going on than that. Aspie still fits like a glove and I no longer care. My last doc laughed in my face, over the phone and said "you can make eye contact", I said, "I have coping skills that can bore a hole through the back of your head". We're not on good terms and that isn't waht I really said to the as*hole, but good for here. My attention problems came first, long long time ago and then came my first misDX, in, I think in 71.

I had to giggle a bit, but feel a lot of pain over those "hobbys" you mentioned. I had one and became a contract Archeaologist because of those....little "toys". I was good, nooo, really good.

Hope you don't misunderstand this...please be a stranger, but when you aren't, do it here, pleased to meet you. And as always, welcome home.

Glad to meet you all and thanks "postpaleo" I know of what you speak.