Jobs for aspies

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Obviously, an ideal job for an Aspie is one in which Asperger's Syndrome is a requirement for the job:

http://www.specialisterne.dk/html/english/Home.html

I have a friend who works there. I think there are 35 Aspies and 5 neurotypicals in the company -- can't remember the exact figures.

I've always wondered as well. If you have good math skills then you got better options but unfortunately, some people with aspergers are completely awful at math like me so we could never do a job like the stereotyped engineering. I wish I could find a good job that doesn't require any math and much social interaction.

I'm terrible at maths. I nearly failed it in my final school year. For some reason that doesn't stop me from developing Lotus Notes databases, which is a kind of programming. The thing I like about working in Lotus Notes is that there's a lot of visual stuff -- I mean, you have to create views and forms and sometimes Web pages, so you can see the result of what you're doing immediately -- unlike regular programming which requires you to first compile before you can see what's happening.

PS: At one point it was my dream to become a copywriter. I still think I would have been good at that, but I now prefer having a profession that offers me more diverse activities. I have met several hyperlexic Aspies online who are very good at proof-reading and other skills associated with writing. I think these would be worthwhile professions to explore if you have that skillset.

Except for when my ADHD got out of control earlier this year (leading to my diagnosis) I think I would have made a good proof-reader too, given the right training. I have a fine eye for spotting problems in text, and I struggle to get through books sometimes, because I tend to mark all the errors as I go along.

I hate it when I make mistakes myself, and I always want my mistakes to be pointed out.

It's funny you mention that, I was a legal secretary for a while. It wasn't that I didn't enjoy it, but I *had* to do something else because the pay absolutely sucked. And the other office I applied for turned me down, I guess my interview wasn't as good as I hoped it would be. It seems here in MI the only offices that pay anything at all are the bigger firms where you are sitting with other secretaries. That happened to my sister (also an aspie) and she hated her job. That's why when I found a better paying job in retail I just took it because I figured at least I would make more money. But yeah 10 years of retail HELL are enough for me.

What does anyone think about vet technician? I know some websites say you have to be "good with people" but at least I'd be working with animals and I don't see why I would have to talk to people too endlessly except to ask the symptoms of their pet and then tell them how to give the animal medicine.

I already mentioned Vet Assistant, which is similar... Basically the same job, a Vet Tech just has a degree in it and gets paid more, lol. I looked into it for awhile, even took a Vet Assistant class... And, as a part of that class, we had to go to a couple different local veterinary practices and basically "job shadow" the assistants and techs there. The people stuff isn't really that bad, for what i've seen. You do need to be able to get the important information about each animal from the owners... But it's one of those social situations where it quickly becomes clear exactly what is expected. You ask what's going on with the animal, they answer, you write down the main symptoms or concerns, if any... Take samples or whatever you need to do, depending on what they're there for.. Then get the doc to come in to do all the decision-making.. Afterwards, if needed, give additional instructions to the animal's owner and then they're gone. It's not expected that you make a bunch of small-talk and really "socialize," you just need to get the facts. But, in the case that you are actually interested in trying to "socialize" with patients' owners, it does seem like it would give you an opportunity to do so in a more structured environment than most social situations are(you could get into a conversation about pets or whatever, and maybe get to know some people that way). But, yeah... You still spend much more time in the back(away from people, except for your co-workers) than talking to the animals' owners though. In the back you'll probably need to share test results and other information with the other assistants/techs and the vet, though. But, again, it's structured interaction not small talk that's required... There's always a chance that you'll have some gossipy NT co-workers to deal with, though. Being in the social "loop" isn't a job requirement, though.. lol.

Up here in Canada, especially Alberta, the pay is pretty good.I asked a few paralegals I know.

I had a good job working as an night stocker and I blew it by being dumb. It was only like 6-10 people I had to deal with everynight and most of them were good people. Plus you mosty worked by yourself in an designated part of the store assigned to you. So I think working 3rd shift would be most comfortable for us aspies. For one you don't have to deal with customers or a large amount of people such as a factory.

One i was surprised by was military and police. You have to wear a uniform so bad wardrobe decisions are not a problem. Highly structured work environment and your dealings with the public are very structured and non personal. My favourite job was working as a lab tech in a museum. I spent all day every day weighing bones and shells and never had to talk with or deal with anybody living.

Honestly, not all aspies are the same. I prefer to work in an environment where I get to interact with other people (although I want to be left alone when I must concentrate), and I don't like to have to wear a uniform (in spite of the fact that occasionally I do wear the same outfit for several consecutive days, with just a change of underwear). I have an extensive and varied wardrobe to suit a variety of moods and contexts.

It really depends on my stress/anxiety levels (words which I have only recently learned to apply to myself).

Part of my work involves presenting training/facilitation. I like this kind of work, particularly when I am teaching people to use project scheduling software.

Since we with Asperger's/autism are all different, I don't believe there is any one job that is ideal for all of us. And as the posts have stated, there are many quite good jobs that would work for many of us. My suggestion is to look at your personal special intense interests (assuming you have one or more of them). Then, try to find a job that is connected to that interest.

Many people are surprised that I went into teaching. My therapist asked me this question once. I told him that teaching kept me in an environment that I was accustomed to---the school. I really could not imagine working in an environment I was not used to. So teaching was perfect in that respect. I taught high school English for 19 years. In English, I could design lessons around my interests in regards to literature and writing assignments. Two years ago, I changed teaching positions. I am now a gifted intervention specialist---so I work with students that I can relate to better. It has been a good change for me.

Any job you can do better than everyone else you work with. Once I worked cleaning a nursing home, never spoke to anyone, kept myself aloof and had my own bizarre regime. Despite these eccentricities no one disliked me because I was simply lethal with the Hoover, keeping the place far cleaner than any of my co-workers could.