Having autism and a career

I wasn't diagnosed with being on the autism spectrum until I was about 23/24 years old.  I have been in work since I was 14.  Back then it was just a paper round but I've always been doing something.  As long as I had something to keep my mind focussed I was ok.  Then I got older and I thought having a social job might improve my social skills (myself and others thought there was a problem with me so I was trying to fix it) so I got stuck into retail, but I was more interested in sorting stock, merchandising, and cleaning, than making small talk with customers.  I didn't mind helping people if they were looking for something and they knew what they wanted, but as I moved on in the job I was expected to do more and more which involved me having to be more social.

As I had problems at school (walking out of classes, being disruptive, and just generally bored in most classes) I was told I was too stupid to go to university and there was no point in me even applying (I was told this by a teacher, not a pupil) so I never went and just spent my time believing I was stupid.  But, I wasn't earning enough at my retail job to live on (I had to leave home at 21) so I tried to change my career and took up IT as it was more hands on and a better challenge for my brain.  I seen an advert for people wanting to help out on a contract and how no IT experience was required, so I took the opportunity.  I enjoyed the job travelling and changing out equipment (as long as the people at the sites didn't talk to me and ask me loads of questions), but the contract ended and with my relationship breaking down with my now ex I moved cities to get a job as there were no more jobs for IT in my area.  This was not long after I was diagnosed so I thought it would be a better career for me.

That was 2 years ago.  My employers know and do try to understand my autistic situation, but they do forget/not understand there is a lot of things that I find stressful that seem normal to them.  II've got to that point in my career where I'm expected to take on more IT responsibilities but it's not something I am passionate about. With my lack of attention span and social problems I'm not coping with the current situation here.  My job used to be more about organising the database of IT equipment and helping out when required, but then one person from a team of three was always off sick, and then ended up in jail for something, so I was asked to fill his space.  The people that fill these spaces are either entusiastic about IT or have a degree in IT, which I am neither.  Both members of management have messed up this week too as they have put the other 2 members of the team on holiday so that leaves me and 1 temporary person, who doesn't know the system that well, covering all the work of three standard people.

With all these new people about, and my confidence already low as it is, I really don't want to be here.  I look at other jobs but I have no qualifications (I do have 4 highers) so all I look like I am good at is IT and retail.  I have started a science degree, just so I'm focussing on something, but I won't be completing that for another 6 years.  I keep thinking I should be greatful I even have a job because I see people on the autism spectrum really wanting jobs and here I am complaining about my own.  My problem is everything fascinates me so I could spend a day wanting to be a geologist and look at rocks, but then the next I'll want to be some sort of artist. But, there isn't any jobs out there for someone who wants to absorb science!

On my last staff review I was also told that I need to be more sociable to move on in my career and to also be able to do presentations every monday morning, but the thought of doing a presentation on something I'm not confident about is terrifying.

Am I stuck in this job forever?  I'm 27 now and have to think about money coming in to have a house, retiring, etc.  Sorry I typed so much, suppose I'm just having one of the tough days today.