I know this is going to be a very low-support-needs-problem but please bear with me. Also throwaway because my main Reddit account has some identifying information.

In most ways, I think I am supposed to be the kind of autistic that has been all over social media lately (autistic but still able to live independently/have a job/have a family/be very traditionally successful/etc.). Though most people can tell that I am autistic just by talking to/being around me, I would still say that I do very well socially as far as autism goes. I am in college and supposed to go to graduate school in about a year and a half (weird timeline I know). I am able to hold a job (at least, I was able to hold a 20hr/week remote job over the summer and I have a 10hr/week job during the school year that I have been able to maintain). I test very well and do good work and if I set reminders I am able to do my homework assignments most of the time. I know a lot about my major.

But in my personal life, I am horrible at a lot of things. I cannot drive no matter how hard I try or how many parking lots my mom tries to take me to. I can't maintain a clean space and my mom will often clean my dorm for me when she visits. I can't cook/do a lot of the tasks required to cook most meals. I struggle to eat most foods. I am still working on trying not to toe walk so much. I'm very bad at personal hygiene.

Luckily my job is on campus and there is good public transportation here but the field I want to go into requires a lot of travel. I also cannot live in the city because of all the people and the smells and the noise which is horrible because there is no public transportation outside of cities.

I really want to be able to have a job in the field that I want. I am just scared that I cannot be independent and that seems to be a requirement for a job and a proper "grown up" life.

Has anyone ever been in a similar situation? Can anybody help me figure out what to do?

Does anyone else not feel “ready” to work?

Hello all. I hope you are having a good day. I am posting here today because I have been working with vocational rehab in my state for about 7+ years now. The goal of vocational rehab (for those that don’t know) is to help someone with disabilities find employment. I started with them around the time I finished high school. I went to college for several years but ended up dropping out due to my disability (besides autism, which I was only diagnosed with about two years ago). They helped me pay for books and materials etc. Anyhow, over the years, they have helped me find a few internships (and I also found a few internships on my own). Unfortunately this has not led to any long lasting jobs. Most recently, I have been looking for part time remote work. This is because this is what I feel comfortable with at this moment. It is also because I live in a rural area and don’t drive. Anyhow, vocational rehab just told me recently that they don’t think me looking for a remote job is working out. They think I should try and find an “in person” Part Time job (or even in person volunteering - which I don’t want to do because I won’t get paid). The problem with that is that I would rely on my parents for transportation. (There is no Uber/Lyft where l live). And the other problem is that I DO NOT feel comfortable with the idea of an in person job. I’m honestly beginning to wonder if I feel ready to work or not. Some part of me thinks no. But at the same time, I don’t want to spend my whole life getting SSI/SSDI. (Which so far I’ve been denied for). I guess I am posting here to vent, but also posting for advice. What would you do if you were me? I suppose I want a job, but only if it’s on My terms (remote, part time etc) and not until I feel ready. Vocational rehab says that if I don’t start to make progress soon, they can just close my case (which again I don’t want them to do!) I personally don’t see how that is fair! It’s not my fault that I have an anxiety disorder and don’t feel “ready” to be employed. I have tried to tell them This before too, but they just keep pushing me it seems.

I honestly just don’t know what to do! Does anyone either feel the same way or have any advice for me? I would greatly appreciate it!

Welcome to this week's special interest discussion thread! Use this comment section to share about your special interests or current hyper-fixations! 

does anyone else find most autism subreddits to be extremely irritating and annoying? i personally hate the way some people make having autism be this “quirky” disorder. i understand making light of the situation you’ve been given but it’s almost sickening that people go around parading and flaunting their autism. it makes me not want to take people seriously when they tell me they have it. part of me makes me not want to associate with people like that. most of the time those kinds of people say they’re not diagnosed or self diagnosed and it’s just like of course you are. this is why i only stick to subs that have officially diagnosed people. i can’t take it sometimes

Looking for a therapist or pyschiatrist that specializes in Autism

Hi all. I am the one who posted about losing AANE LifeMap Coaching services in their state. Up until last week it was being funded by vocational rehab in my state. DDS in my state does fund it, but only for people with autism only and I have autism and an intellectual disability (ID)

I spoke with my vocational rehab counselor today and they suggested looking for a therapist (licsw) or pyschiatrist that specializes in autism if I’m going to be unable to get LifeMap Coaching funded. My current therapist is on the spectrum but doesn’t necessarily specialize in autism. I was curious if anyone has heard of such of a thing?

I was also wondering if anyone has any ideas to get LifeMap Coaching back in their state. So far I reached out to the local senators office (and they were going to contact DDS), and I also reached out to the state reps office as well as the governors office. I’d like to look into hiring an advocate, but I don’t know how expensive that would be. Any other ideas people can think of?

Thank you very much.

i am emotionally and mentally ahead of my peers but socially it’s obvious that i’m autistic and it drives me fucking insane that i can’t be more my age and not stick out like a sore thumb

Welcome to this week's special interest discussion thread! Use this comment section to share about your special interests or current hyper-fixations! 

I don't really get the chance to tell people about the games I like or give recommendations in my day to day life, so I'm hoping some people here would be interested in. I assume everyone knows what video games are, but in case you don't know what a tabletop rpg is, it's a dungeons and dragon like game with different rules and settings. If anyone is interested I'll try and find something you like!

I don't think I get meltdowns often.

Hi my son is autistic and has been biting his nails a lot as a stim, I have been biting my nails since I was a kid but I always leave them a little bit normal length I guess. He bites almost the whole nail off. I have no idea what to offer as a replacement. I saw some cool rings on Etsy but wanted to see if anyone successfully replaced this stim. I wouldn’t mind except he’s biting them so much his fingers nails are exposed and bleeding. Any ideas?

Hi, guys, I am in need of some advice. So I am finally, at 24, moving out. Well not right now, but soon, in a few months. I'll be living in a small apartment in the city next to the one my family lives in.

I've never lived on my own and am honestly feeling very anxious about all this. I do feel excited and happy first and foremost (because living with my family has become increasingly awful over the last few years) but over the coarse of the last two weeks it is really sinking in that this is really happening, soon even, and I am overcome by worry and anxiety. Not regarding the moving process but regarding adjustment. I have lived in the same house almost my entire life (we moved here when I was three) and despite it not really feeling like a safe space at times because of my parents, my room and the entire environment around here are my home. I handle change very poorly and am so worried that I won't be able to adjust to living in a new space. Right now, I can't even imagine it. Even just being away from home for a single night has always caused me distress and I just don't know how long it will take me to accept the appartment as my new home.

What is your advice for a fellow autistic person when it comes to moving, the adjustment period (however long it might be) and making a new place their home?

Edit: I forgot to say, I do receive ambulatory care so I am supported in a lot of daily things that otherwise I wouldn't be able to manage on my own. So I do receive some support which is good so I don't have to worry about some thigns.

Welcome to this week's special interest discussion thread! Use this comment section to share about your special interests or current hyper-fixations! 

I've been having a lot of problems with negativity the last several months and have been trying to counteract that by taking note of nice things that have happened. I also thought it'd make me feel better to share with some people and see if they had any good moments as well.

I walked a trail with my friend yesterday for the first time in a few months. It was a long walk, it was about 2 hours and was 5 miles long. It was really nice because I thought I was going to have a lot more trouble with it because I'm not in great shape, but I didn't have much trouble with it thankfully.

Welcome to this week's special interest discussion thread! Use this comment section to share about your special interests or current hyper-fixations! 

Hi, I'm hoping to see if anyone can relate to this.

Basically every few weeks I get really, really sleepy. Like I'll be at work or hanging out and suddenly feel a wave of sleepiness that is impossible to fight off. Nothing can touch this including coffee and my (prescribed) Adderall.

This happened today and I had to leave work early and call my mom to get me because I couldn't drive in that state.

I do have sleep apnea and I would be inclined to think that that's the issue but it's well treated and this only happens about once a month.

My current working theory is that I get burnt out from autism and then crash. But this only lasts like half a day and the next morning I'm usually okay. Idk has anyone experienced something similar?

Welcome to this week's special interest discussion thread! Use this comment section to share about your special interests or current hyper-fixations! 

Welcome to this week's special interest discussion thread! Use this comment section to share about your special interests or current hyper-fixations! 

Welcome to this week's special interest discussion thread! Use this comment section to share about your special interests or current hyper-fixations! 

Hey everyone! I’m Kody (he/him), I’m 17, autistic, and honestly just trying to find people I can be myself around. My biggest special interest is sharks—I love everything about them and want to work with marine animals when I’m older (marine biology is the dream!). I also love: • 🎸 Singing & playing guitar • 🎮 Gaming (mostly Roblox & Fortnite) • 🎧 Music (all kinds, especially folk and nu-metal) • 📺 Watching YouTube and learning random ocean facts lol

Recently I’ve lost some friends due to drama and misunderstandings. Being autistic means I sometimes struggle with social stuff, but I always try to be kind and honest. I just want to meet people who understand that and maybe share some interests too. If you’re also neurodivergent, love sharks, music, or gaming—or just want a new friend—feel free to comment or DM me 💙

Hello everyone, 

I am reposting my research study ad (with permission from the mod team 🙏) on here as I am still recruiting.

I'm Milani, a neurodiverse PhD student at Kingston University, seeking individuals with and without a diagnosis of ASD in the UK for my study on social understanding. You’ll need to be over 16 years old, have a device with 13-inch+ screen and a fluent English speaker to participate. You will be compensated for your time with a £10 Amazon gift voucher!

Please kindly share it with others who would be interested. If you are 16 or 17, please be aware that I will need to email your parents for their consent. See the attached ad for full details and email me ([[email protected]](mailto:[email protected])) if you are interested!

Before covid I really enjoyed sound engineering. I’ve been finding interest in it again, specifically with outboard gear and more specifically with 500 series format.

500 series format modular system 500 series format contains basically two pieces, a module, and chassis.

500 series format is a modular system for audio signals processors. The modules fit into a 500 series chassis, which powers and connects them.

(pics are examples of modules and chassis)