Some general questions

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I have a few questions for people with Asperger syndrome.

On getting a diagnosis:

I'm fairly certain that I have some level of AS, and after many years of largely keeping it to myself, I am beginning to think that a formal diagnosis might help me to explain why I am the way I am to people. I don't really feel comfortable saying that I have a particular disorder to people other than family and close friends without having it confirmed by a physician.

My question related to this is, how do people react when you tell them about it? Are people generally knowledgeable about it? I've seen AS stigmatized as a "fad" disorder despite the fact that I know it is real because it impacts my own life very strongly, do people react this way?

On employment:

I've had a very rough time finding a job since I graduated from college last year. I think that this is mostly due to the recession, but I honestly blame my AS to a large extent. Job interviews and even just being in an office environment can be extremely rough for me. I've managed to get a job but I'm overqualified for it.

What are some strategies to use in job interviews? If I had a formal diagnosis, would telling an interviewer about my AS make sense?

When I tell people about my sons diagnosis they usually say something to the effect of " I think he's fine" or " I would have never guessed". Lots of people think its a fad diagnosis.
I have had a mixed reaction to telling people about myself as well.
Not very many people know about AS in my life, so I have to explain it to them
I would not tell an employer in the job interview. After you get the job and get to know the mood in the place then I would let people know, if you felt like it.

I only got a preliminary diagnosis this year. I told a couple of people I know and one of them I have not heard of since. I told my mother but I don't think she understands it. I would never tell an employer in an interview. It is none of their business at that point. It only becomes their business if they offer you the job. And even then its up to you whether you tell them. My advice would be: if you can hide it then do so.

I was given a really good set of notes on interviews. It listed typical questions that you get asked at interviews and then gives an account of what the interviewer is really asking with these questions. It has served me well. Unfortunately I only have paper written notes so could not pass them on. But I think it would be a good idea to type them up and post them on this site.

If anyone would like them I will do that. But you may have to be patient.