What can I do with my life?
I was diagnosed with aspergers and ADHD when I was 13. I'm 21 now and pretty much grown out of both, but I still have lingering symptoms of aspergers (mainly I just suck at socialising and tend to procrastinate unless I'm told exactly what to do - maybe I'm just a shy lazy guy?).
Currently I'm living alone in my student flat, studying to become an English teacher at uni, but it ain't really working out. I have too much freedom here, and tend to just waste time playing computer games and watching tv instead of studying. So I decided I wanted to join the navy and train to become an engineer (since I enjoy tinkering with computers and building them). However, it seems that people with autism aren't allowed to join. I'm hoping that they will at least consider me though, due to how mild my symptoms are - I'll just have to wait to see what the doctor says really.
Anyways, I'm really starting to feel like I have no direction in my life. I have a ton of mediocre qualifications, but I just can't decide what kind of career I should go for. I can't decide what I would be happy doing either, because I don't really enjoy anything in life. I lack focus, and have no hobbies or particular interests. The only 'skill' I have is my ability to work with computers, which is kinda boring but it's the only thing I'm good at (but then again, every 21 year old is good at this too
I think it's just a generation thing)
The navy sounded like the perfect option for me. Structure, discipline, routine and people giving me constant orders - would be like a dream come true, but now they say I probably won't be able to join up - it's left me wondering what the hell I'm gonna do for the rest of my life...
What kind of jobs can people like me do? What can I do with my life?
I really don't want to end up living at home till I'm 30 years old and working as a bloody IT technician, I wanna do something more interesting!
Hell, I'm starting to wonder if I even have aspergers anymore. I mean, back in school I was a completely different person than I am now (a hellish nightmare for anyone who tried to teach me, basically). Would it be worth getting re-tested by my doctor to see if I grew out of aspergers (or learnt to live with it or whatever)?
You might find this topic gives you a few ideas:
http://www.wrongplanet.net/postt95590.html
Main thing is not to give up....I know what you mean about not wanting to rot away doing some nerdy IT job (not that I'm saying IT workers are nerdy, just that I can appreciate the loneliness that some might feel). In the UK there are a number of employers (usually in the public sector) who have a commitment to providing jobs for "disabled" people, including Aspies - not that I like the term "disabled" for Aspies, but if it gets you through the door, use it. And if you've found coping strategies for most of your traits, you'll probably make an excellent worker once you find your niche.
Not all neurotypical people are judgemental and rejective. Some of them are very caring and decent people, well worth associating with. I've known lots of people who have accepted me for what I am.
There's an old Jewish saying comes to mind - if you don't get a thing you want, it's because you didn't want it enough. Some truth in that, IMHO.
Good luck!
It sounds like you have a very good intrinsic sense of yourself. You are probably thriving much more in the "real world" socially and professionally right now than I am so it seems, to me, a bit presumptuous for me to give you any type of advice. You seem to be on a level beyond getting a basic sense of what sort of future you want for yourself. I do think, however, that your Aspergers might just be dormant, and, if you were under some stress, as you would be in the Navy, your AS might return with a fury. Contrary to what some of the "experts" say, no one "grows out" of Aspergers.
I would recommend looking through a community college class guide and seeing if any classes stick out to you in your head that might interest you. This can help get your brain going to see what sort of path you might want to take going down the road.
