Can't look after myself properly.

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I have Asperger's. There are good points about it of course, but the main bad point is that I struggle with things that most people would find easy: going to the supermarket (sensory overload - I have had meltdowns in shops before), going to the bank/job centre/civic centre/etc (I go mute in them), filling in paperwork, dealing with my finances, communication/social interaction (a big problem for me), etc.

I have quite bad sensory issues. I also cannot understand metaphors etc and often get what people are saying wrong.

My main worry is that while I am intelligent and am doing a BSc University course in Pharmacology, I don't think I'll ever be employable. I need a full-time support worker in University to prevent me from going non-verbal/having a meltdown, and I also have schizophrenia, which means I often take days off University and I also need additional support for that.

Do you think I have any hope for getting a decent job when I'm older? I don't want to stay on benefits (currently income support, disability living allowance and housing benefit) and rely on them for the rest of my life.

I live in supported housing because I simply do not know how I would look after my affairs if I lived alone.

How can I go about solving these problems?

I wish I had some advice for you I'm just glad you have some support.

I also wish I had advice for you but I'm in the same boat. I just got my B.A. with strait As in my last year but I can't keep a job. Like you I have major issues with sensory overload and panic in crowds, I also can't multitask, offend people, annoy people , make people uncomfortable etc. and I have no idea how or if I 'm going to support myself and be independent. My mom currently cooks my meals , goes shopping for me, pays my bills etc, I live at home with her. I'm 27 years old......

Hmm, I don't know what advice to give but I know I have the same problems. I CAN do anything any average NT can do, but doing these things make me more anxious than it would an NT. Going to the supermarket makes me anxious, but I can do it. But I tend to avoid it because it makes me anxious; always feeling afraid that I might do something embarrassing like drop all my money so it goes scattering everywhere. I even worry about silly small things, like worrying about people looking at me (if I meet one person's eye I start getting all these paranoid thoughts in my head, making me want to get out of the supermarket quick, even though I should know now that just because someone looks at me doesn't mean they're thinking anything of me, but part of my brain still won't let me accept the reality of the issue).

I get worked up about things easily, which does hold me back from being able to do all the things anyone can do, like going shopping, paying bills (I think I would go direct debit), even taking a walk to my grandmother's (she is good to chat to). I've had CBT, and other counselling, but this still doesn't stop me from letting my fear of being judged hold me back from being independant.

Im in supported housing. Im clever and studied too but failed to apply my knowledge in the workplace and ultimately failed life. You wouldnt be alone.

Thanks for the posts.

I am seeing my Occupational Therapist tomorrow so I will be asking her for help.

I heard a statistic that only 15% of people with a diagnosed ASD are in full-time employment. I felt discouraged by this.

I worry that employers will only see the disability in me and not the ability, and won't employ me.

I'm sorry to hear that you all struggle too.

My father and grandfather were engineers, I am a breakdown maintenance engineer, so I tend to problem solve more than most males. Please excuse my manner

I would select a course of study where an ASD would not be [such] a hindrance to employment.

Personally I'm a big fan of self employment. A huge amount of stress is removed by not having to answer to a boss or co workers.

When I fix a broken machine, I am praised by those needing that working machine. Even if I make social mistakes, I'm still the guy that fixed their broken machine....

By choosing to work with machines, a huge amount of stress is avoided.

If this makes any sense, a vocational guidance counsellor may be able to apply themselves to you situation, and recommend professions in harmony with your abilities and talents.

Well my AS is "light" enough to enable me to have a job, I guess. Problem is that it'll probably bore me to death. I have ADHD too and sitting in a chair for 8 hours while doing boring stuff is hell for me (I've had a few internships, but I'm still studying). Not to mention co-workers. I think I'll feel misplaced.

Unless maybe I get a really great job. I'd actually love to do something very simple. I'd even prefer hard physical work to bureau jobs
if that means I don't have to act social.

I found Temple Grandins' 'The Autistic Brain' to be a really inspiring read in that regard. She quite specifically covers the idea of playing to ones' strengths. I see no reason that you can't find employment that you thrive in, so long as it's something that allows you to do so