Debbie was diagnosed with Asperger syndrome when she was 35 years old after experiencing bullying in the workplace. She now does voluntary work and looks after the home for her father.

Autism >> Life on the Autism spectrum >> Women in employment/education: >> Miranda – Interview 05b >> People should see the person and not the disability.

Miranda was recently diagnosed with Asperger syndrome, after three years of her being aware that she may have the condition.

Autism >> Life on the Autism spectrum >> Men not in employment/education >> Simon – Interview 16b >> Education professionals should have more autism awareness training, and they should involve people with autism in this.

Simon, aged 22 was diagnosed with autism when he was 5 years old. He has developed his own strategies to cope during social situations. Simon is interested in animals and aims to find employment in this area. Simon does talks on autism to help people to understand.

Autism >> Life on the Autism spectrum >> Men not in employment/education >> Richard – Interview 12b >> Richard is having independent travel training and likes going out.

Richard, aged 22, was diagnosed with autism when he was just over two years old. He lives in independent supported living accommodation.

Autism >> Life on the Autism spectrum >> Men not in employment/education >> Simon – Interview 16b >> Simon thinks that teachers assume you can’t do anything, rather than acknowledging you find certain things harder than other people.

Autism >> Life on the Autism spectrum >> Men not in employment/education >> Simon – Interview 16b >> The Jobcentre staff had “no clue about people with autism”. Simon was told to go to a doctor to prove he had autism.

Autism >> Life on the Autism spectrum >> Men in employment/education >> Oliver and Suzie – Interview 11b >> Oliver finds it frustrating that people with autism can fail filling in job applications when they can probably do the job. He has found face to face

Oliver was diagnosed with Asperger syndrome two years ago. His mother and younger brother had also been diagnosed with Asperger syndrome previously. Oliver describes his family as easy going and not concerned about what other people think about them.

Autism >> Life on the Autism spectrum >> Women in employment/education: >> Miranda – Interview 05b >> Miranda thinks she doesn’t come across very well to employers.

Miranda was recently diagnosed with Asperger syndrome, after three years of her being aware that she may have the condition.

Autism >> Life on the Autism spectrum >> Men in employment/education >> Damian – Interview 03b >> Damian has always had a problem with being told what to do, especially when “it is ill thought through” and he isn’t listened to.

Damian was diagnosed with Asperger syndrome a year ago. He is well educated with a degree, Master’s degree and a PGCE, and is now studying for a PhD. Damian lives with his son, 7, who has classic autism.

Autism >> Life on the Autism spectrum >> Women not in paid employment/education >> Alex – Interview 04b >> It has taken a long time for Alex to get an appropriate care package. She had a long period of being passed between learning disability and mental hea

Alex was diagnosed with classic autism aged three years old. She lives independently in an adapted house, with some care assistance. A few years ago she was injured in a road accident and, as a result, now has epilepsy.

Autism >> Life on the Autism spectrum >> Women not in paid employment/education >> Alex – Interview 04b >> Alex’s social worker admits she has no understanding of autism which is “scary”.

Autism >> Life on the Autism spectrum >> Men not in employment/education >> Simon – Interview 16b >> Simon thinks that people with autism should be used to help support people, as they actually understand what the difficulties are.

Autism >> Life on the Autism spectrum >> Men in employment/education >> Oliver and Suzie – Interview 11b >> While Oliver now has support at university, he feels there are people who might need support who don’t realise it is available.

Autism >> Life on the Autism spectrum >> Men not in employment/education >> Simon – Interview 16b >> Simon gives talks to parents about “how autism affects him”.

Autism >> Life on the Autism spectrum >> Men in employment/education >> Mark - Interview 58 >> Mark talks about his experiences of commuting and how baffling his experiences were for other people.

Mark, 27, was diagnosed with Asperger syndrome when he was 26. He is returning to university to study economics and accountancy.

Autism >> Life on the Autism spectrum >> Women in employment/education: >> Miranda – Interview 05b >> Miranda was pleased to get answers even though she was over 40 when she was diagnosed.

Miranda was recently diagnosed with Asperger syndrome, after three years of her being aware that she may have the condition.

Autism >> Life on the Autism spectrum >> Women not in paid employment/education >> Mary – Interview 01b >> If Mary hadn’t been diagnosed, she wouldn’t be seeing a support worker who understood her.

After researching various conditions on the internet, Mary was diagnosed with Asperger syndrome aged 21. She also has OCD and experiences anxieties.

Autism >> Life on the Autism spectrum >> Men in employment/education >> Tim and Julie – Interview 09b >> Tim is not able to concentrate on driving and holding a conversation, and has some difficulties with spatial awareness.

Tim was diagnosed with autism eight years after a paediatrician suggested that there was a family link between himself and his son. Tim has a very supportive wife and they have two sons who also have autism.

Autism >> Life on the Autism spectrum >> Women in employment/education: >> Harriet - Interview 42 >> Harriet describes the pleasure she gets from technology, science, driving, tennis and her allotment.

Harriet was diagnosed with high functioning autism when she was 39 years old. She has aspects of her life which she finds difficult like changes in routine, sensory sensitivities and a dislike of social interaction.