People on the spectrum at work...what do you do?

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I am interested to know, for those of you on the spectrum who work, what jobs do you hold? Which did you like best? What did you find yourself most successful at?

Have you in all cases felt your company needed to know that you were on the spectrum, or have you been able to keep it confidential if you so desired?

I worked child care, then library, then pizza restaurant, then produce department, then dairy department. All that time I was not able to pass as normal...my co-workers knew I was dealing with some yet un-named mental health issue.

I'm back to working library and I think I can be happy there. I'm hoping I don't get stuck doing the same thing for four hours straight. I brought up the subject of Asperger's Syndrome in one of my e-mails and the guy didn't reply....so I'll probably not mention it again directly. I'm really quite sure they *know* me based on how they have interacted with me.

I only just this year began suspecting I was dealing with whatever pervasive developmental disorder I have. This is my first work experience knowing what I now know.

I teach skills enhancement courses to homeless adults (money management, goal-setting, etc.) I do very well at it and my students love me. I think Ii can do this, because it requires very little interaction in the social sense. I lecture, dmonstrate, and take questions. Also there are very few surprises to contend with. My work there OUTSIDE of teaching, however, is quite stressful, as I have to deal with the clients one a one-to-one basis and there are many more of them than me., so at times, I feel like I'm under attack. I just try to keep some healthy distance as much as I can.

My boss and some of my coworkers know that I have a spectrum disorder, but as I work in human services, nearly all out my clients and about half the staff take meds and/or are in therapy for some kind of mental illness... or they have a close family member who is. That's the nature of social work. People most often go into because they dysfunctional backgrounds and can relate. I mean, my boss isn't going to think me strange for having Asperger's when she has a history of drug abuse....

I also work as a personal life coach and in that role I can really chose not to work with someone if I don't feel that I can. Also, I work on my own time in my own way, so I can set my own pace and don't get over-whelmed. When coaching, I generally don't disclose to my clients unless they are struggling with an illness or disorder themselves.

Hi dyingofpoetry. How did you go about becoming a life coach, and could you tell a little about what you do with clients? I'm very interested. If you don't mind talking about it, perhaps you could reply as a PM, it's probably a bit off topic.

I give assistance primarily in helping people set up a personal budget and to manage their finances. I help clients to find better jobs, to decide if they want to change careers, or just to be a better employee. Also, I give guidance in general personal leadership, such as deciding on short and long-term goals, setting priorities, taking risks, and so on.

Basically, a life coach is like a wise friend you can go to for advise.... except that this one charges.

I work part time at the animal shelter where I clean cages and feed and walk dogs. Although this is technically being very underemployed (I have a B.S. in education), I love my job and it's perfect for me. Most people there know I have autism, including my boss, but they just treat me normally.

I'm in the miltary. I've been in 10 years now. People were very surprised when I first joined because they thought that'd be the last thing I would consider getting into due to my apparent problems with authority, etc during highschool. I thrive in my job and it was a fortunate accident that I joined because the structure it provides is very comforting and I know what is expected of me and tasks are laid out plainly in front of me. Now that I'm being diagnosed AS, its interesting to read about how the military can be a very suitable career. Also, I don't stick out too much, aside from my social awkwardness, because I'm in a combat job and the guys I work with are all a little "off"... you need to be in order to do what we do, is an ongoing joke at work. My nickname at work was The King of Awkward for quite awhile... LOL!

....ill get back to this after a month i graduate as car fixser

I work as an ICT technician. I'm good at fixing things and the personal contact is at a level I can handle. I used to work security in a hospital. It was very interesting in some ways, but the shift pattern wasn't good for me and I was trying to live independently and having a bad time. I'm much happier in this job.

Mikey--do you mind the moving required of being in the military? Or was that something you grew up being used to, maybe?

I'm a data entry specialist. I've also worked at a vet hospital. Even though I loved the patients, but there were too many people, both the staff and the clients. I had a hard time with them.

I currently work as a music journalist. I get paid to review CDs, review concerts and gigs, and take photos. Money's not much but any money is good money I've been fortunate enough during my time to cover some big festivals and watch a lot of international acts for free [gotta love media passes].

In the past I've been a web designer and content writer, and I had a little business happening for a while. Then I worked in the government doing admin and intranet content [with a bit of web designing and photographing on the side].

I worn a few different hats. I worked in a meat packing plant for four months, was fired from that job. Worked in a metal fab shop, was fired from that job. Worked for seven years as grocery stocker while I put myself through college. Almost got fired many times and almost quit many times there.

In all of these cases, this was before I new about aspergers, so there was never the thought of telling someone about it.

I now work as a photojournalist and right now I have no desire to mention it to anyone I work with since there hasn't been any issues that would require disclosure.

Last edited by Scoots5012 on 07 Aug 2010, 12:42 am, edited 1 time in total.

Lots of people far more adventurous than me here. I won't contribute my career in this thread, anyway, since I can't prove I fit on the spectrum...but seeing this variety DOES make me surer that the fact that I work the kind of job I do doesn't automatically rule out being on the spectrum.

Currently an aircraft mechanic in the U.S. Airforce.

However, I'm in the process of getting kicked out for Asperger's.

Can't wait for the next gig....

I work for a cellular (mobile) carrier. I am the one who listens to people complain and suggests the best solution paths for them. Highly repeatable process, done on the phone so not as stressful or non-verbal as all out social engagement. Only issue is that I do burn out and have days where I get very worn out or exhausted because it requires a huge amount of mental effort to prod people through the processes at times. the metaphor would be herding aimless sheep. ends up feeling like busywork and i don't feel that my mind is properly engaged, but i make a lot and have very necessary benefits that have sort of kept me around even though i've searched for work in computer stores where i could work in repair/troubleshooting department...