Should I tell them?

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I'm going to try and get a job at this animal rescue center which is run by a huge (and I mean HUGE) vet clinic. I want to try and volenter there as a way of getting my foot in the door to the vet clinic (they're only a few feet away from eatch other really). Should I tell the people there that I have Asperger's Syndrome? A few months ago there was a teenage boy who had AS and he murdered his classmate. It turns out that he had been being bullied by the boy for quite some time and he had just had enough. My parents took me out of public school and homeschooled me when I started started to complain of being picked on. Anyway, eversince this happened, people now seem to think that ANYONE who has AS automaticaly is a potential killer. Should I still tell the people at the rescue center/vet clinic that I have it. People also don't seem to take it seriously when you tell them yourself. I wanted to have my mom get the job for me and tell them. But I'm thinking maybe it's better that they find out after I'm already working for them. The main reason I think they should know is that I have trouble interacting and socalizing with people and they might find me rude becuase I don't automaticaly make eye contact with a person. I think that's part of the reason people think I have this "connection" with animals. Animals don't like being stared at in the eye and regualar people are all "Oh what beautiful eyes!" I just can't look people in the eye any longer for maybe two secounds and then I look at someting else. So should I tell them or keep it a secret.

There is really no reason to mention it, IMO. Unless you are going for a job that directly relates to Asperger's (clinical study work or something) then a job interview is not the time to mention anything that could be construed as negative or disabling. Once you are there and know people, you can tell them that you are an Aspie, but an interview is one of the worst places to bring up something like a medical condition or lifestyle.

No.
I've had many problems interacting with work-colleagues.
Some people will assume that because you do not make eye-contact, then you must be ignorant, rude, suspisious, etc. These people will still view you in the same way even if you do tell them about aspergers. Mostly likely they have not heard of it anyway: last time i was in employment nobody had.
Not saying to keep it a secret; if somebody asks or it comes up in conversation with a colleague, then thats a different matter.
But i would not tell people beforehand.

Do not mention it in at a job interview unless you are directly asked.

It's just volentering. Does that matter?

I don't think so.
If you needed a job, then it would be a serious mistake to mention it in an interview.
The fact that it is volunteer work means that they will be probably glad to get the help and will give you a try.

I dont see what you have to gain in mentioning it 'up front', is all.

I mean you can say things like.. i have a special connection to animals.. or i get on better with animals than people, etc. without mentioning AS.

bear in mind also, that anyone is actualy capable of murder. You would be there to work anyway, so poor social ability should have no bearing on it at all.

People are always going to think you are different, weird, strange, whatever.
Telling them you have AS is not going to change this.

Going in to work, enjoying what you do and giving a good effort is the best way to gain rapport with colleagues. So long as you do this, then you will gain their respect otherwise it is not worth having.

However, the only reason I am doing this is to try and get traning and expirence as a technican at the vet clinic next door.

I just got a job working with animals (pet smart hotel).I didnt mention AS before the interview but said something very cassually to co-workers after working there for awhile,(few know about it and even the "experts" cant seem to agree about it and there are a lot of misconceptions about it....each As person is different,has different sensitivities,etc)

Many people working with animals have some AS traits and prefer animals to people,so you might relate to them better.I think it is enough to mention that you are a bit shy and awkward around people but love being around animals and find they like you as well.The important thing is to very briefly mention a weakness but stay focused on your strengths.I try and let people know that it's not that I dislike people(this is a half truth,really),but that sometimes I find them confusing.(very true).

Good luck.I love working with the animals,the people,some are very nice,some....not so much.