If Asperger's or HFA and employed, what are you doing?

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kirayng
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11 Jul 2012, 11:13 am

I'm a line cook at a fine dining restaurant at one of the most high-end resorts in my state. I can't do regular cooking at chains and stuff because I don't have the speed anymore but I like the detail that goes into fine dining-- we really do have time to make it look nice, which is something that caters to my perfectionist side (sorry for the unintentional pun).

Anyway, I've done this kind of work for as long as I can remember, from fast food joints to supermarkets to corporate cafeterias. I want to finish my bachelor's so I can get out of this industry; I'm getting past my prime.

Anyone else in the restaurant biz? One of the most common employers of all sorts of people, I've worked with several suspected spectrumites (omg the alliteration). I'd also like to write but there are too many food writers already. Probably will go on to redesign some of this inventory software like ChefTec that is just terrible for the working cook-- who the hell would be able to do a 1/4 Tablespoon is beyond me, why can't the software do real conversions into things the cooks will actually use!? hahaha anyway, back to topic. 8)



viv
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11 Jul 2012, 11:19 am

I don't want to say anything too specific because my circumstances are pretty unique and maybe I'm being paranoid but I don't want anyone I know doing a google search and finding out. But . . . I'll say this

I think professions, accounting, law etc. often have entrance exams that seem, in my mind, to be very Aspie friendly.

I think this is also true of trade union positions like electrician, plumber, etc.

Might be something to look into.



XFilesGeek
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11 Jul 2012, 11:28 am

I'm in the military, but my career is pretty much in the toliet and I'm not planning on re-enlisting.


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FMX
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11 Jul 2012, 11:36 am

I'm a software developer, working freelance from home. Not very secure, but the money is good. I've previously worked in a regular office job and can certainly do well in that environment, too, but I sure don't enjoy all the interruptions. Now that I work from home, I think it really is the perfect Aspie job! Reading WP helped me appreciate just how lucky I am in that regard.



beautifullight
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16 Jul 2012, 3:15 pm

I had a miserable time in the career field until I found positive thinking self help and until I discovered that I hate math and hate conflict. I have had the best success in 2 different office management admin assisting positions. I got them because i prayed for the right job for me. I like people but at a distance to give them what they want and then have them go away and leave me alone until the next time they need me. I live jobs where I am appreciated and the tasks change. I also like the freedom to research and think at my desk when no one notices or needs anything. I just man my post and think.

I have be fortunate enough to find my niche by age 35 I hope you will too. :D



Dirtdigger
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16 Jul 2012, 3:24 pm

I retired in 2009, but I was a Robot Operator and an Inspector. By the time I left my last job before I retired, I was making $17 an hour.

I have to say I've been very fotunate considering I'm Autistic to continually stayed employed since the late 1960's after I graduated(just barely). And I have to admit that I let my dreams guide me through the new places I would be hired at. I've had some really good paying jobs because I did listen to my dreams.



BlueBean
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16 Jul 2012, 3:33 pm

When I last worked, it was as a Barista (and I made really good coffee) and as a sandwich maker. I really enjoyed the process of making a good cup of espresso, since it actually takes some skill and knowledge that many people seem to not care about (this is why Starbucks coffee is so inferior, their staff is generally all about speed and not quality so they ruin the shots). With sandwiches too, I liked taking care into putting them together according to individual orders.

Unfortunately, at least here, if you're not a bubbly perky customer-service type it doesn't matter how good of coffee/sandwiches you make, since I got fired from both jobs for basically not being cute and social enough.


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LostInEmulation
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16 Jul 2012, 4:13 pm

I work in technical support in a callcenter. Yes, really.


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MathGirl
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16 Jul 2012, 5:09 pm

I work various odd jobs related to special needs (some involve working directly with special needs, some indirectly). They're not the most stable or well-paying, but they have been obtained through connections. I'm also an undergrad university student, so my options for now are very limited.


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outofplace
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16 Jul 2012, 6:08 pm

It's sad to say it but I deliver pizza for a living. I have been self-supporting for the last 16 years, own my own house and several cars. The job works for me because it limits the amount of time I need to be around other people. If I am having a bad day and just want to cry, I can usually hide it as I can get in, get my next delivery and then get back in my car. The current management likes me pretty well and lets me pretty much do what I do without interference. I make more money than anyone else in the store except for the general manager as I know my area well and can make plenty of deliveries. The interesting thing is that they never have me train new people. Maybe it's because of my quirky personality and they are afraid I will scare them off.

It also helps that I am quite technically proficient and can fix darn near anything. The car I drive was chosen for fuel efficiency and low operating costs, and I have gone through all of it's systems to be sure it's reliable and leak free. I am also gathering the parts to build my ultimate pizza delivery car some time in the future based on my current 1993 Geo Metro parts car. My hope is to see 45-50 MPG city as the other Metro I own only sees 38-40 mpg right now.

I will preface the above though by saying I do not have a formal diagnosis. I suspect I have Aspergers though because of the way my life has gone and the traits and experiences I have that match those of people on the spectrum.


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beautifullight
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17 Jul 2012, 10:30 am

:D I am in office management as I stated previously now reviewing answer i see you wanted details. Sorry was focused on what I wanted to say not wat you waned even though I did want to help.

kind, caring, cheerful but impersonal receptionist and operations manager in very small slow, non profit. i answer slow telephone and door traffic. i process people and help them connect to resources and supporters in and out of my org. I help them fill out the application. i like people who are nice to me and are fair.

I make $12/hr started at 10$

Walking in to the org as a client asking for help org my job search (overwhelmed and executive dysfunction)

very happy although stressed by the unexpected and pressure when it happens. I pray a lot.

This kind of work is always available. no one else wants to work in non profit for $10 with no benefits. Non profit always has jobs because people leave.

I went to a wonderful ADD class at kaiser. Had a fantastic teacher. She helped me after class ended to figure ou I also had NVLD and possibly Aspergers. She helped me work on a table of my strengths and weaknesses and my values. I always want to help people help themselves and not have conflict and as low a stress level as possible. That can happen in a small non profit.

There is much less competition for jobs in non profit sector overall.

I have done non profit work/ public/ government work for my whole career



Australien
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18 Jul 2012, 3:10 am

IT. I do a lot of programming that is oriented toward analysis and distribution of security-related data, systems and network administration to support the running of those systems developed via aforementioned programming, sometimes reverse engineering, sometimes advising other teams within the organisation or external organisations on security-related matters to support their investigations. I have a boss who seems to take it for granted that techie-types can be a bit weird and that this is not something that should be suppressed for its own sake if it's not hurting anyone.



raylit20
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23 Jul 2012, 4:07 am

outofplace wrote:

It also helps that I am quite technically proficient and can fix darn near anything. The car I drive was chosen for fuel efficiency and low operating costs, and I have gone through all of it's systems to be sure it's reliable and leak free. I am also gathering the parts to build my ultimate pizza delivery car some time in the future based on my current 1993 Geo Metro parts car. My hope is to see 45-50 MPG city as the other Metro I own only sees 38-40 mpg right now.
My special interest is auto weight reduction, and cars in general. :D

Nice to see another enthusiast and hypermiler on the forums.

As for my job, I am now back at my previous place as a cook. It's rough, but I work the closing shift so it's quiet and I follow a routine every night, which I like.


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autotelica
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23 Jul 2012, 6:08 am

I am an environment scientist who works for the government.



Kenjitsuka
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23 Jul 2012, 8:54 am

I used to self sustain writing articles for computer magazines from home freelance.
I still do it, but now am only able to write on article a month (opposed to say six to eight).
Now I do it to supplement my wellfare money (which is insufficient to support the mortgage I got into when things where going fine).

I actually have an University degree as a Data warehousing and Business Intelligence specialist which I've never used.


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oakenshield
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23 Jul 2012, 6:38 pm

I am an ICU Nurse (RN) and aspiring to become a Certified Registereed Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA).