Autistic or emotionally immature, struggle with my conscience

That's interesting.  Someone else on this forum lives in the Netherlands, and I thought they mentioned that things are more congenial out there.  Clearly that's not your experience.

I'm glad that at least some of us have and had posiive effects of mentioning their ASD. I feel they'd take someone else instantly. That is what this society is like anyway. I live in the Netherlands.

I've had 26 jobs in 40 years!  Looking back, I can see that the problems I had in many of them were connected to my then unknown condition.

Care work is stressful, but I've only ever done day service, with regular hours.  I couldn't do residential.

I worry about things like I'm currently experiencing - bullying by another colleague.  I didn't mind working in an open-plan office, but I don't like too much noise - and yes, a radio would drive me nuts.  That's one of the big drawbacks with my job.  Whenever we go out in a vehicle, the radio is always on - and usually to a dreadful local commercial station that plays mindless modern pop all day.  Many of the service users want it on - but mainly it's staff.  I never have a radio on or music playing if I'm driving alone.

I'm not good at multi-tasking, either.  And when an advert says 'Good team-player essential' I stay away.  Inevitably, most jobs require you to work in some sort of team, and I can co-operate with others.  But I much prefer to do my own thing.

I've been a medical secretary for years in various departments. It's always hit and miss whether the office will be open plan or have a radio on in the background (my pet hate). I have spent many weeks before starting a new job not worrying about whether I can do the job but worrying about the acoustics, where my desk would be, whether the chair would be comfy or have that awful itchy material . So I would be happy to mention or ask at interview what the office is like (if I get a diagnosis). I have had  dozen jobs is as many years. And it would be great to say that I don't multi task well or enjoy change that much, rather than pretending I'm the perfect employee. 

Here I'd only say something after I'd been taken on and had the three month trial period.

But I worked in support positions and call centers. And freelance editing. None of those are stress free and all have deadlines you need to stick to. My 'condition' is of extreme disadvantage in those jobs.

And yes, this implies none of them are suitable for someone like me

I've always mentioned it at the job interviews I've had since diagnosis, and it hasn't been a problem.  These have all been care work roles, though, so in some senses my 'insight' can be seen as a positive attribute.

There is another aspect to it, though.  If you don't mention it, you always run the risk of its being found out about at a later stage - and this could easily happen because of a problem at work that is connected to your condition.  Supposing some extra stress led to your having a meltdown - as it did for me at work a few weeks ago?  If that had happened and I hadn't told them about my condition, I could have been in all sorts of trouble.  As it is, I've managed to negotiate some reasonable adjustments.

It's a difficult one.  You don't want to prejudice your chances with a job (though some employers are actually enthusiastic about taking on Aspies, because they know about the many positives: honesty, attention to detail, wanting to get things right, etc).  They aren't allowed to discriminate - but, of course, we know that they do.

Personally, though, I would never feel comfortable about not disclosing my condition at a job interview.

I think I would never ever say anything about ASD at an interview. I think it could only work against me...

I agree. I would only find it helpful when applying for jobs and perhaps mention it at the interview stage or even after once offered a job verbally. They couldn't then withdraw the verbally offer. 

No need to hack that one... I think we already know. I’ll ask the kids to represent in it an emoji! :p

I was diagnosed but haven't told anyone. In fact, I haven't really told anyone anything. And I might just leave it like that. 

I find you've got so much explaining to do when you do say ASD, and ASD is so vague and wide-ranging.

If they can find out how the Brexit negotiations etc. are really going... ;-).

I too once thought I was a HSP (the Elaine Aron description you mention). I had looked into seeing a therapist many years ago and by chance the one I looked up specialised in this as she was HSP herself. I remember reading her blog saying how if she went out for a meal why, oh why, did it have to then turn into a pub crawl when she would have been happy just to go home after the meal? And that she needed time to chill out after the socialising. I would rather not even go out for the meal to start with :)  As it was she wanted a 12 week commitment at £50 per week and I was out of work, yet again so I never pursued it but wonder whether I am barking up the wrong tree with looking for an ASD assessment. I don't have any diagnosis yet but parting words from my mother after an emotional row last year was "you have a problem". Yet, I can imagine if I was diagnosed with ASD ,she would poo poo it as nonsense. I don't suppose I'd bother telling anyone in my family. 

Computer Science.....year 7 coded Flappy Birds last Friday.. all groups on cyber security with hacking challenges this week.. 

I miss when computing was fun.  Now it's all...

But what do you teach children?  Surely you should be learning with them from a 'dult? :-D

Funny you say that.....I got onto early Pink Floyd in the early 80's, Goth in the 90's. I have consistently been seen to be several years younger. I think a lot of ageing is social ageing, though the baby boomers are probably a bit different. 

I'm still a child - and as I get older, I see just how old people are inside. No fun. No idea how to enjoy themselves.

Because of my eternal inner child, my wife has stayed fun and youthful too. We notice how everyone is so miserable. No smiles anywhere. We're off to Disney again in January and we've already booked our character breakfasts.

I am also childish.., which is why I teach children... 

Blank said:

I was also very much aware during primary and secondary school and university that I am at least 10 years behind on everyone else.

Yes.  These are the precise words I've said all through my life.  I cotton on to music, fashions, etc., at least 10 years after they've passed.  I became a punk in the late '80s.  I got into The Smiths in the late '90s.  And people can't believe it when I say I'm 60 next year, because I've maintained a young face and a young outlook.  And I still seem 'young' emotionally.

I consider myself very enotionally immature. Even though I prefer Martian Tom's view, I really am and don't seem to catch up either. I was actually told by teachers and friends that I am 'childish'. I was also very much aware during primary and secondary school and university that I am at least 10 years behind on everyone else.

I used to laugh at stupid things during important meetings, things that I found hilarious and other people never understood. I was also told to freeze my face ('please!') in meetings if some hot-shoimportant person said something I thought was utterly stupid. Apparently it showed straight away. I think my boss was very polite for not calling me childish. Though he did say I reacted quite primarily

I also look years younger than my actual age, and don't seem to catch up.