I think I usually have a high self esteem.
I think MOST aspies consider themselves at least gifted earlier, and later think they are dumber. In some ways, they're right. BTW that describes ME also, so don't consider it an insult. Oh well, my IQ is STILL above average, and I think I do well with it. HEY, I ***ASPIRED*** to a middle class salary. I don't even tell you what I wanted to make! Today, I make about 4 times that. That STILL doesn't seem like enough. I always thought I had a bright future ahead of me. NOW, it isn't quite so bright. 8-( I WON'T pray! It doesn't help! As for being homeless, etc... that could happen at ANY moment! I have ridden through about 5 bad situations. I have NEVER been homeless, and rarely even hungry. But I KNOW I will have my career ONLY as long as I have the temperment, ethics, reputation, intelligence to pull it off. If even ONE gets tarnished, the whole thing could disappear.
So put things in perspective.