What makes autistics happy and living good lives?

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After several failures with publications and potential University affiliations this year, I think it is time to research the very important issue of how autistics can live good lives, and then try to publish it.

So, post what you believe would make you happy and live a fullfilling life. I might use some of these suggestions in my research if I find them reasonable & interesting.

For me I have a good friendship with my daughter. I am happy to also spend time with my thoughts and interests. I find it very rewarding to spend time in nature. I need to find a way to reduce getting stressed by work.

I'm not going to say it is sufficient for being happy and living a good life but a good start would be an appropriate job.

I just stumbled across this yesterday but it seems applicable:

"Choosing the Right Job for People with Autism or Asperger's Syndrome"
Written by Temple Grandin

I wasn't always happy when working but I was generally good at what I did and the jobs allowed me to retire at age 56 and that made me very happy!

Making enough money to live the 1950's American Dream would make me happy.

I think these are quite common and relevant.

I think I disagree. Money will not make anybody happy. Not a well-payed job either. I prefer a job that is interesting over pay.

I live my best life when things are consistent, predictable, and stable. Routine is a biggie for me.

Beyond that, I benefit from getting outdoors, moving my body, getting decent sleep, eating healthy enough... things like that. I don't need much money, but enough to be able to keep the power and water on certainly helps...with enough left to get food and basic supplies.

There's probably more, but that's all I can think of at the moment.

Non-existence would be a fine thing.

There have been studies that show that making enough money to meet your basic needs like about 75,000 to 100,000 a year results in improved happiness. I am not talking about super rich but your happiness plateaus and levels off at around 100,000 in today's dollars. I have to live at home with my parents in a miserable home life because I make less than 1,000 a month so I would be happier if I could afford the American Dream or even rent for apartment. I cant even afford food so I think at a certain point money absolutely makes you happier. I know I would be a lot happier if I made enough to meet my basic needs and I could have a decent standard of living for a civilized society but I cant because I am disabled. I bet you would be happy if you made enough money to keep from being homeless. Money is the most important thing for me when it comes to a job.

I really wouldn't know, but I think accepting yourself for who and what you are, and having family and friends who do also, is a good start. Too bad the rest of the NT world seems unaware of this.

A job that pays well enough and gives you enough personal time to pursue a full time special interest.

I don't think you need to earn as much as $75,000 to $100,000 to live a decent life. At least not where I live. I have a good job with a pretty decent salary (about half of the above), but I don't need that much and actually only work 75% know, and still have more money than I need for my hobbies & special interests.

I agree that if you cannot afford food or basics needs, that will affect happiness, but basic needs is not $75,000.

Being surrounded by people who have some acceptance and understanding of you.

They are cliches but not taking for granted and appreciating the mundane things life.

Money is not the be all and end all of life. Not having it creates a lot of obstacles but it can be addictive and create jealousies.

Well actually basic needs in America is well over 75,000 a year in America if you are including a mortgage on median price home.So I would need to make quite a bit more than 75,000 a year just to afford the American Dream today.I know its different where you are but even 100,000 is considered low income in places like San Francisco and New York City.

What makes THIS autistic person happy and living a good life is being allowed to seek my own joy and live my life as I see fit, without some misguided emo type getting all butt-hurt over something I said or did that is: (1) legal, (2) moral, (3) ethical, (4) factually correct, and (5) none of their damned business.

Then I'm doomed, then.