New from Illinois (Chicagoland area), USA

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Here's my intro. I'm from Illinois, USA, 25 years old, somewhere along the line diagnosed as "semi autistic" growing up, not exactly sure what that means (maybe PDD-NOS? been awhile). I was also diagnosed with things ranging from ADD to emotionally disturbed and some other more graphic diagnoses, which honestly, I dismiss as labels of convenience anymore. As a baby, I showed at least one early sign of autism in the form of echolalia, which I guess excluded me from being in the AS subgroup of the autism spectrum, though for all intents and purposes, I seem to fall right in line with how many aspies describe themselves.

As far as I can remember, I had different types of therapy ranging from speech therapy to motor therapy. I also suffered the traditional being bullied, picked on, and it seemed like the even the most uncool kids could grasp a fleeting moment of coolness by making fun of me. To my memory, it was predicted that I would always need some form of assistance my whole life, I would fail out of college, and probably be unemployed the rest of my life. However, my college years were the years where I finally started figuring out who I am and how I can interact with the world, and honestly, I've come much further in these short years than any predicted (or dare I suggest, hoped) that I would come. All the therapy and assistance I received as a youth seemed more like abuse than help, as I always just wanted to be left alone.

Now, I'm a college graduate, but I'm actually back in college right now switching my field of study over to accounting, which I hope will lead to a greater career outlook for me in this economy, as the accounting work I've done has been relatively fun. I've also found that though I try my hardest to interact successfully with others, I can't exist in a career where people skills are an absolute must. I have them when I need them, but being a "people person", or throwing my neurotypical switch on, as I call it, burns a ton of energy.

Just some random blurbs about me, but since I've been slowly emerging from the closet as a citizen of the wrong planet (a trademark I guarded with my heart and soul for too long), I figured I'd give a shout out.

I'm also trying to make my mark as a working musician since I'm underemployed at the moment, just another random tidbit.

Welcome aboard the Wrong Planet, new-citizen and fellow-traveler, cantexactlysay. Here's wishing you all the WP best in your accounting studies and also with making your mark in the music world.

To WrongPlanet!! !

Thanks for the warm receptions! I have to say, living myself in the "real world" of NT, trying to earn a paycheck (which was more than anyone expected of me, guess that's a good sign), and beating my rear end off every day to appear normal in a way which others completely take for granted (doesn't help that the PR duties seem to get dumped on me wherever I work), just browsing through these forums has been a light of sensibility in a dark world of nonsense. I look forward to participating more often in these forums.

Life in the wrong world is a challenge for me every day, but I enjoy challenges more or less, and I think there are two types of people in the world, those who quit on the stool once the challenger (the NT world) turns up the heat, and those who step up and fight harder when the opponent fights harder. The world may not ever appreciate what I fight, but it just brings all the bigger smile to my face when I know what I'm fighting and what I'm beating, especially now that I'm fighting with my autism and not against it.

Anyways, probably about time I shaddup and start listening / lurking on these forums some more.

Hello! Welcome to wrongplanet! Everyone is really nice here.

Amazingly, I could never get into it so much. I graduated with a degree in aviation administration (essentially airline / airport managment), but airlines and aviation firms in general aren't exactly keen on hiring any staff which doesn't work in sales. I do have a private pilot certificate, and I've thought about at least going back to sport pilot flying if I have the spare cash. Being a bush pilot in Alaska would be extremely cool I think, perhaps one of my PDD obsessions.

I've tried, and I'm stuck in a sandwich of being overeducated and / or underexperienced. I like the accounting track that I'm on though, and as I say, airlines still need accountants.