Are most autists unemployed?

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I had a gainful career for many years but left because of autistic burnout. My career was intellectually fulfilling but the social aspects were overwhelming and I can't even fathom how I survived. I was hospitalised for adrenal failure while working full-time because of the sheer exhaustion of masking my personality all day. I suffered extreme depression and anxiety because of the social requirements of my work, and my lack of privacy or down time. I might add that I didn't know I was autistic during the time of my career.

I cannot go back to work because of Complex PTSD (unrelated) and I also suffered a stroke.

The autistic men in my family have all been Engineers with very dedicated work histories and stable careers, except for my grandfather who eventually shut down and went reclusive.

At least you got your degree, Aspie 19828.

You are probably high-functioning—but feel stymied by things. It can be rough when you’re high-functioning, too.

Autistic workers Union would be a start. A movement that fights for equality, freedom and democracy for Autistic people to have their rightful entitlement to employment and acceptance within society. 80% of Autistics are unemployed and 20% of Autistics are employed, clearly proves that Non-Autistic society discriminates against Autistic people. Autistic people are more efficient and focused on working and doing their jobs, instead of wasting time on social media.

Can you live off part time?

It can be done. I work way beneath where my education should put me, but I pay my own bills. You just have to accept that you may not get the job you deserve. That said, there's no need to starve because of that, or live badly. You can get something. The sooner you start trying to get any job, the better. it is much easier to get a job, if you have one, so if you're unemployed long-term, take any job and then move on as soon as you can.

Its going to be most common to either be getting by on being supported by parents or getting welfare/disability benefits. Most autistics are not able to find work, and many who find some kind of job can't meet the social or other demands of the job. For example, warehouse work might not be socially demanding, but can require you can find things fast and empty a pallet of boxes fast.

So it is really hopeless after all, thats why i want to die, because i have no future. And yes i will die soon.

Some are, some are not. You are just 19, your life haven't even started yet. As others have mentioned, take your time and build up some skill or interest that can land you a job. An aspie with lots of time can achieve miracles. I *know*.

When i was your age, i never knew what i wanted to do. I took random college courses (free here in Sweden), and drifted through them.. mostly unseriously. All the time, i was tinkering with computers.

I was unemployed until 21 when i got my first 6 month internship, then i was unemployed again for quite some time. I got 6 months here, 2 years there. Then i focused on something i wanted to do, i had always loved doing IT-security and took a 2 year course while living with my parents. Then i got a more stable job at a government agency as a civilian specialist (IT-Security Analyst) and life finally started to look good - at the age of 36(!)

A few months ago, i left another job (IT-security engineer) and got a new one 2 weeks ago. I work as a Threathunter for a security company monitoring some large corporate networks for intrusions and mallicious activity. My aspie brain is perfect for the role, and because i did things earlier like programming, i can write my own tools to help.

This did not happen overnight. It took a crapload of reading, tinkering, programming, talking to people, watching conference videos, reading academic papers and googling. If you are willing to put some effort into learning something, you can become exceptionally good at what you do.

Through life, you will end up in s**t situations, i've also heard that "you did not fit in with the others" (culture BS), some managers will be pure psychopats and sometimes people will actually work against you because you do a good job, but also making them look lazy and inefficient. If that happens, look for a new job. In fact, keep in contact with potential employers all the time if you need to make a quick exit.

One problem i see is parenting. Parents want to protect their autistic children from the "evil world" but by doing so, they shield them off from reality and their kids come out of their parents protective bubble totally incapable of surviving on the outside. Fact is that once you grow up, most people need to make money - including autistics.

I expect to be unemployed again some day, or maybe totally change careers. That is why i don't run around buying stuff all the time and save money instead, it's a security buffer for me to survive on. It takes a long time for me to get a job, way longer than any unemployment benefits can cover. I recommend this to anyone on the spectrum. We need to be choosy to get the right job. My current manager knows that i have Aspergers and the previous guy probably had autism as well, given what they told me about him.

So, really, there are good employers out there, and fun jobs to be had. You just have to figure out what you want to do in life and go for it. It may seem like a daunting task, but deal with it like you would eat an elefant - one small bit at a time.

Good luck.