Are you kept away from clients?

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This seems to be a haunting & recurring theme for many Aspies, including myself...harkening back to the teen years when I was told at fast food jobs that I'm better off at the back working the grill, or mopping floors, then serving customers...although I've improved greatly at interaction since those days, I still get regressing moments at jobs where it's seen as "not good enough".

This has happened in a recent job, and in a job of a few years ago, where as a system analyst I was told by the management that they didn't want me interacting with internal clients (functional dept reps) mainly because of my "different" style of communication, which didn't really hamper productivity, but was just seen as odd. Years ago, when I did technical/computer training, I was suddenly asked to only develop manuals and not train groups; I asked one supervisor about what they found off and she told me "well, it just doesn't seem...natural."

The only real detrimental issue I have is processing speed, to be able to follow group discussions which can pick up in tempo during a heated point - I suppose there is a "democratic" argument there that 6 group members should not have to slow down for the benefit of one, especially the one who's chairing the group. As a result I was told by one supervisor that I have no capacity to listen to a group of people, which was not completely true.

In any case, I find that the greater part of this drive to keep us away from clients is based on superficial factors, I mean like what if it the excluded person was a hideous burn victim, or somebody with a stutter, or a guy who's only 5'2" or something - there's all kinds of possibilities. I fit none of those, as I enunciate clearly, am medium height and above average in looks, but with my intrinsic difference in communication style they find another pretext for exclusion

That's why I think dyslexics have it much easier...they don't fall into the same vicious circle and languish as we do, as they don't need a book's permission to read it; but it seems that we perennially fall into the trap of needing more client-interaction experience, but are not granted that "luxury".

I've been told repeatedly that it's best if I don't deal with the customers. Suits me fine...for the most part. I find them needy and annoying.

I actually work in a customer facing role and they are rejecting my internal applications for other positions.

In my current situation I got placed in a position to replace another guy. My position is now as the main point of contact between our consulting firm and the client for this one area. I was also told it's the most important area for the work to be done correct and accurate.

I'm horrible at my current position. I have a degree in computer security. My current title within my consulting firm is software testing analyst. My firm has placed me into a business role where I deal directly with clients...I don't understand what I'm doing nor have any interest in it so it's hell on a daily basis.

The worst part is that I'm the best person for my company to have as a segway to the client in this role because it's an Indian company and I'm the only American on my team. Apparently Asperger's is chosen over the language barrier.

I used to work in middle management in an IT company. The company is American, but has lot of Indian employees. The Indians who could not sound or act "White" were not promoted to management and were discouraged from dealing directly with clients. Even if some of these same people were better at explaining things than most and even if they had management experience. Our aspie employees were treated pretty much the same way.

You gotta be a car salesman type person for most companies to promote you.