Hi, New and in need of advice

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Hi, I'm a 22 year old male from the USA. I have not been diagnosed with any autism spectrum disorder, but I strongly suspect that I have Asperger's syndrome. My hobbies are playing chess, playing poker, German language, economics.
For a long time it has seemed likely to me that I have undiagnosed AS. I for example: feel like I have to correct someone if they make a factually inaccurate statement, often respond to small talk questions in a literal fashion, I pace back and forth constantly, people always think that I'm in a bad mood when I'm in a neutral mood and ask if I am OK a lot, can only seem to understand social cues on an intellectual level and from the ages of about 12-20 I was absolutely obsessed with playing chess and I did this to the exclusion of almost everything else for 8+ hours per day. I could go on with other things about myself that seem to indicate that I have AS, but I won't waste your time.
I've realized that I have social problems for a long time, but I always figured that it would be something that I can learn my way out of. As I keep trying to learn and continue to have very few/no friends it seems apparent that this strategy is not working. I am wondering whether getting diagnosed will help me, or does it not really matter? Are there any programs that can help me at this point? I did terrible in high school and quit going to community college after doing terrible for a semester, which in my mind is most likely linked to this and not due to a lack of intellectual capacity on my part. I'd like to go back to school, but I don't feel like I can/should unless I have the proper skills to deal with these problems that I have.

Welcome to Wrong Planet!

If you did terrible in school, why exactly do you want to go back?

http://www.rosesforautism.com/inner.cfm ... 7702&pid=0
I found this job training site for folks with Autism. I wouldn't be surprised if they hire folks just because they appear to be autistic--it isn't the sort of thing a NT could fake.

Ideally, an Aspie would be employed in a field that lets you use your special interest all the time--chances are you aren't going to learn much more about that by going school if that isn't your thing.

I might add that a college degree isn't as important as it was for your parents--who grew up with lots of other young people.

As I see it, there will be a shortage of folks who can do physically demanding work, simply because our country is aging. Plus we have had very costly wars--which disabled a lot of otherwise healthy people.

Ok thanks for the advice. What I am really interested in knowing is whether or not getting a diagnosis can be helpful for me or if it is a waste of time?

Getting a diagnosis, and (if you're lucky) the services and support that come with the diagnosis, can be life changing.

If it's not, then you'd need to improve the system in (wherever you are) - that's the stage I'm up to, and that's life changing too.

Without a diagnosis, you're just another whinger (australian vernacular for someone who doesn't like doing the hard yards) - nothing personal, that's just how the system works.

To WrongPlanet!! !

Welkome to WrongPlanet.

The WP Kink