Hello (again)

Hi all,

I introduced myself almost 14 months ago as someone who suspected they was autistic. http://community.autism.org.uk/discussions/general-discussions/introduce-yourself/starting-understand-myself-0

I feel like I should do it again, this time as someone who now knows they are autistic. I have finally received a diagnosis and feel like a weight has been lifted!

Hi! I am Grant, I am 28 and I have Aspergers (although they don't use the term anymore, I identify with it better).

I have a son who is 6 and is a high functioning autistic and now attends a special school and is doing so much better as a result. I also have a daughter who is 4 and shows some of the traits but no diagnosis (yet).

I work for an IT company building applications and cost models for Architects, Project Managers and other sales-ish type people use to predict costs for providing services to our customers. It's an aspies dream job as it is numbers, analytics, process logic and programming. You need a high attention to detail and "wanting things to be right" is the perfect mindset for the role as mistakes can cost the company money. My traits and strengths allow me to perform well.

I have had other jobs where I really did not do well. I used to be an Architect and I was customer facing, had to work to constantly changing requirements and timescales and had very little control over my work load and schedule. People expected me to be really great, but I struggled and had to ask to be re-assigned.

I have difficulties with socialising, if I have a topic of conversation I am fine but small talk is painful. I am over sensitive to taste, touch and sound. I've had anxiety and depression in the past but I manage it quite well now and have not had a depressive episode in over 2 years.

I've been fairly active on here anyway, but I no longer feel like an "imposter" now I have a diagnosis.