new diagnosis

I probably have Aspergers though not yet diagnosed.  I struggled at school, I enjoyed learning but was bullied for being clever/quiet/weird, even by teachers, and that meant my results suffered, as I felt abnormal.  When I left school I was so relieved, and enjoyed being in my own world at home, until my mum broke my joy by telling me I needed to look for a job or go to college.  She was stubborn, and made me look through local paper until I found things to apply for, and made me apply.  I dreaded the idea of working, but I was offered the two apprentice jobs I had interviews for - so I felt confident about the job, even if not confident about working with people.  When I started, I did struggle with people and was bullied but getting paid help, and after a year could buy my own car and be independent (I need freedom).  A few years later I changed jobs, and worked my way up to a good salary but didn't fit and became resented, got more bullied and stressed, so I realised I needed help and quit.  I wish I could of got help before I started working, as I had to struggle by myself and could of done much better with help/support.  Its important to do something though, my partners son may be autistic and has quit college because 'its too much' and seems content to drift, and depend on others.  I've never been like that, I hate drifting, and don't like relying on others.

Anyway, I'm studying towards an IT degree with the Open University, which is hard work as I have to read, write, and understand academic stuff, and should of done it when I was younger and offered a sponsorship (but turned down due to anxiety about all the students there would be).  But I still love learning and I feel better about that, even if other people don't understand.  Its good to learn, and having Aspergers probably helps that process, but its also good to try and work at some point, even if part-time, otherwise all that studying is for nothing.  Having Aspergers can mean avoiding difficult things, like work, but you also need to try working to know what you can cope with, or not.  Might mean trying different jobs until it works out.  Thats what I've realised anyway.

Just try and encourage him to keep going, and go to tutors etc. for support, and maybe learn at home about academic writing/reading, etc..  Having Aspergers means having to try harder to do what comes naturally to others, it doesn't you aren't capable - if some tasks are really challenging, there's probably just something you haven't learn to do yet.  I used to write myself off because I couldn't grasp what was required, but now I see its my Aspie traits getting in the way.

Dunno if that helps.

I probably have Aspergers though not yet diagnosed.  I struggled at school, I enjoyed learning but was bullied for being clever/quiet/weird, even by teachers, and that meant my results suffered, as I felt abnormal.  When I left school I was so relieved, and enjoyed being in my own world at home, until my mum broke my joy by telling me I needed to look for a job or go to college.  She was stubborn, and made me look through local paper until I found things to apply for, and made me apply.  I dreaded the idea of working, but I was offered the two apprentice jobs I had interviews for - so I felt confident about the job, even if not confident about working with people.  When I started, I did struggle with people and was bullied but getting paid help, and after a year could buy my own car and be independent (I need freedom).  A few years later I changed jobs, and worked my way up to a good salary but didn't fit and became resented, got more bullied and stressed, so I realised I needed help and quit.  I wish I could of got help before I started working, as I had to struggle by myself and could of done much better with help/support.  Its important to do something though, my partners son may be autistic and has quit college because 'its too much' and seems content to drift, and depend on others.  I've never been like that, I hate drifting, and don't like relying on others.

Anyway, I'm studying towards an IT degree with the Open University, which is hard work as I have to read, write, and understand academic stuff, and should of done it when I was younger and offered a sponsorship (but turned down due to anxiety about all the students there would be).  But I still love learning and I feel better about that, even if other people don't understand.  Its good to learn, and having Aspergers probably helps that process, but its also good to try and work at some point, even if part-time, otherwise all that studying is for nothing.  Having Aspergers can mean avoiding difficult things, like work, but you also need to try working to know what you can cope with, or not.  Might mean trying different jobs until it works out.  Thats what I've realised anyway.

Just try and encourage him to keep going, and go to tutors etc. for support, and maybe learn at home about academic writing/reading, etc..  Having Aspergers means having to try harder to do what comes naturally to others, it doesn't you aren't capable - if some tasks are really challenging, there's probably just something you haven't learn to do yet.  I used to write myself off because I couldn't grasp what was required, but now I see its my Aspie traits getting in the way.

Dunno if that helps.