Aspergers Challenged Support Group

I'm also more how I was when younger. I LOVE it! Puberty is crazy. I remember people saying how much they don't miss it. But then them saying don't take it for granted. Confusing. But I get it now!

In my opinion, when I talk about people being the same, I mean like how they were as a kid mostly. Because that is when we are most innocent and you know, know less. We go with our gut as kids. Some people have miserable childhoods in every way possible though.. I guess my thoughts on personality don't make much sense.. But, I thin kI said previously, how much that word confuses me...

But luckily personality changes don't have to affect job choices much

Well I find I can't keep a job because the social stuff takes over eventually. I love working and feeling useful and having money but I burn out socially. I can only last so long pretending I understand all the unspoken references and body/face language and deciphering whether something was an insult or one of those damn "jokes". And after a couple years at one job I find the awkwardness gets too great and people notice I'm different. But I will keep trying of course.

Hi Clara. Nice to meet you.

I feel similarly to you about the "social stuff". Also, my experiences affect my perception. At my previous job, there was mean jokes which the boss allowed cause that person "brought in the businness." At my present job, what I thought were mean jokes were accepted by the person to whom they were directed, and as I relaxed and recovered from the previous job, those particular jokes did not bother me. But they would have if they were directed at me.

This past week I had several social problems and they are related to the fact that the boss was out all week. Now I have the weekend to recover and the boss is back Monday.

Hi Libby thanks. Yeah. The mean jokes. My last job they were directed at me. I decided since I can't tell when people are joking or really mean I'd just assume they all like me and it's affectionate joking. Who knows if I got that right but since people seem to love to make fun of me and how I respond (or don't respond) to events and conversations I just let them have their fun. Since I'm 35 and they were mostly 20 I was able to think of them as teenage kids. Not as hurtful as my peers giving me a hard time.

Anyway I'm glad to hear in your current job the jokes aren't directed at you. Good job finding a job where the boss actually makes things better!

Hi Clara and welcome to the group!

I can't imagine working in an environment like that where you have to discern the jokes and possibly deal with the bad eggs. Due to my medical limitations, I've heard working from home will probably be best for me, but... I worry that will just make me an even worse hermit. It's hard for me to get out and do something enjoyable as is... and staying at home, I'd just focus on work 24/7, as that's how my mind works.

Hi Yoshi thanks. Yeah it would be really easy to become a total hermit working at home. When I have a job I find sometimes the only time I leave the house is to go to work. It keeps me out in the world. When I don't work I try to make myself go out once or twice a week. Ultimately going out is easier when I know I'm being counted on to make it to work though.

I can only advise on the UK side if anyone is from the UK here.

Get in touch with Pure Innovations as they can be a great help.

I got help from them last year after my mum was concerned about my loneliness (I am still alone, but I get out a little more and make some money)

They'll look at what you can do and cannot do (I cannot talk on the phone fo example), and try to find something you want to do and provide a Work Trial (which I did).

It may take awhile for some of you, but they will get something for you eventually.