Anyone Here With Autism?

[ResidentEvil7]

This topic is for anyone with autism, especially Asperger's, like me. I have been struggling my whole life with people and getting hired somewhere anywhere. I want to work at my local Best Buy when a position in the back warehouse opens up, which could be anytime, because I love tech and I want to learn and expand my knowledge of tech and about the company so I can later do one of my dream jobs of being a computer/home theater technician since I am good with my hands. I mean, before YouTube, I self-taught how to build and do basic repairs on an old Compaq Presario PC and it worked. I also taught myself how to do web design through my former provider Webs.com. I really love doing this kind of stuff.

Sorry for telling such a long story about myself, but does anyone on this site whom may be on the autism spectrum know what it takes to get a job and hold onto it? I'm even asking about assessment tests on the applications and interviews. I'm 41 and the only jobs I had was construction at my stepfather's business (painting and laboring) and election judging at my former county (Kane County, IL). I never gotten hired by any company; I came real close dozens of times, but it didn't work out.

My best friend's older brother worked as a porter at a car dealership and he says it's the worst job he's ever had, because of the abuse he takes every day and I said "I know." When I applied a few times for the same position elsewhere, the manager and employees were in-your-face hostile and abusive and after dealing with assholes in my school years, I REFUSE to go through it again.

So if there's anyone here whose on the spectrum can help or relate to me? I really much appreciate it.

[ranger_scout]

I have Asperger’s/High-functioning Autism. I’m proud of who I am.

[Cowabung-Gal]

Fellow Aspie here.

Thing is, I didn’t even know I had Asperger’s until I was in my mid-20’s. My overprotective father actually kept it a secret from me until he passed away, and after the funeral my Mom finally told me the truth (they divorced when I was four and he threatened to take away her visitation rights if she ever told me about my diagnosis). I think it’s because he wanted me to do my very best in school and was afraid I’d use my Asperger’s as an excuse not to do my best, or maybe he was just in denial. I’ve always suspected that I was somehow different from the other kids growing up, so I was actually relieved to find out the reason.

[ResidentEvil7]

I am a high-functioning Aspie myself, but unfortunately my situation has made it tough for me with the job market. I have a tough time with psychological assessment tests that are on the end of the application. I get frustrated by the whole online process and if I'm lucky to get an interview and the manager asks me a question, I struggle with that also.

It could be the way I was treated by my school peers (made fun of, picked on, name-called, beaten up and laughed at and mocked and abused on a daily basis) and some other strangers and employers is why I became bitter of people and I think it shows at the interviews. I don't mean to sound sexist, but I'm even more bitter towards women managers, because they show their resentment of male applicants. I never once had a good experience with a female manager; they're mean, they're sassy; they're hateful! I may not of been successful of landing employment with anyone yet, but at least with male managers, they make me feel much more confident and comfortable.

I'm happy about the fact that I can teach myself technological stuff like: how to build a PC desktop; how to replace PC parts; how to construct a website (Webs.com got bought out by Vista Print and now my sites of 15 years are gone); how to recite the 50 US states in order when they were admitted to the union; and how well I did with learning about storms and tornadoes. What I'm not happy with is that I have all these self-taught abilities I became an expert at but no one will freaking hire me to do any of it over some things beyond my control.

My job situation got to the point to where I had to take my disability and apply for SSI, SNAP, Medicaid and Safe Link Wireless just so I can provide for my monthly obligations. The SSI pays me only a measly $628.67; and $277 in SNAP. I rather make my own money rather than taking from the government so my best buddy and I can share a bigger place where we can load it up with arcade/pinball/tabletop games.

[Stu_Padasso]

I did once set up an appointment to get a diagnosis for it after the advice of family and friends but I got distracted by organizing my DVD collection by genre and alphabetical order.