SSI Benefits?

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I just honestly don't even know where to start with this. I am skilled and educated and feel that I should have every capacity to be able to hold down a proper job. It is ultimately my goal to find something that I can do within my field (psychology/sociology/anthropology) that benefits my community. The thing is that I have such a difficult time relating to other humans that work becomes so difficult I become physically ill. The "work" is always wonderful and usually comes easily. It's the interpersonal relationships and team work stuff that gives me issues. I just took tests and my lifelong issues finally make sense. I get overwhelmed by others really easily. I'm startled easily. Sudden, loud noises make me ill and will send me into an anxiety spin for hours. This is just the tip of the iceberg. I finally got the silly notion that I might be autistic, and for fun took a pretty comprehensive test regarding this and it appears that I am an 8.7 our of 10 on the Autism spectrum and am considered Neurodiverse. I don't have a lot of information yet, but a whole lot of pain in my 29 years of existence suddenly made sense. I guess any help or advice anyone can give me to point me in any kind of a direction would be helpful. I am also interested to know about SSI benefits. I don't want to be "dependent on the system" for life, because I don't personally believe in that, but I would like to know what the heck my next direction is. Thanks in advance.

Well to get SSI benefits you will need to get medical records of standardized tests and diagnosis of disability conditions you have. So to start on that route you'd need to start seeing a doctor and get an ADOS or other autism test by a professional. When you apply it would be best to include any other potentially disabling condition you have. So for example if you depression, PTSD, back issues that prevent you from standing for longer then 30 minutes etc etc etc. Also you'd want to include any hospitalizations or expenditures that you make because of your conditions.
It is hard to get SSI so I'd suggest not getting your hopes up.
I'm going to assume that you don't have a job and are therefore limited on income. So I would recommend utilizing other public social benefits for low income people. You can visit healthcare.gov in order to get your states mediciad health insurance plan or a subsidized health plan.
You can get Food Stamps at a local office (go to an office by using google maps or something)
http://www.fns.usda.gov/snap/snap-appli ... e-locators
Lifeline is also a program that can pay 9-13$ a month for internet or phone service.
http://www.lifelinesupport.org/ls/apply ... eline.aspx
Go there for more information.

Anyways I wish you well.

I'm a full-time student, mother of two, and pregnant, so currently am not employed. We are utilizing other public services, which is helping a bit. Do I have to be currently employed in order to apply? I have many work hours "under my belt" so to speak, but it has been about two years since I worked. I'm going to begin the doctor process soon. Thank you for that advice .

No you do not need to be employed to apply.
SSDI (social security disability insurance) will provide benefits based on past employment income.
SSI (social security supplemental income) will make sure that after SSDI benefits you get at least $700 a month as long as you meet certain asset tests.
Also to let you know the benefits will be retroactive. So if SS decides you became disabled 1 year ago you will get an initial payment of 1 year in benefits. So that can help with any urgent bills though it can take months and months before they approve of your status.