Despite some difficult times, Myrtle describes being incredibly fond of her husband and, when she was in ill health for a number of years, Peter looked after her like ‘an angel’. Peter was diagnosed with Asperger syndrome when he was 80. He is having counseling which is helping him to become more aware of the extremes of his behaviour and to control his temper.

Autism >> Life on the Autism spectrum >> Men in employment/education >> Richard and Sue - Interview 10 >> Sue finds it easier to interpret some of Richard’s behaviour as an aspect of his AS and she can now say “I’m here with my disabled husband”.

Richard was diagnosed with Asperger syndrome seven years ago after being referred to a specialist diagnostic centre. He is working hard to change aspects of his behaviour for his wife and family.

Autism >> Life on the Autism spectrum >> Men in employment/education >> Richard and Sue - Interview 10 >> Sue describes how her husband could never relate emotionally to anything happening at home and did not recognise when she was upset.

Richard was diagnosed with Asperger syndrome seven years ago after being referred to a specialist diagnostic centre. He is working hard to change aspects of his behaviour for his wife and family.

Autism >> Life on the Autism spectrum >> Men not in employment/education >> Luke - Interview 35 >> Luke describes how he and his girlfriend work at their relationship.

Luke was diagnosed with Asperger syndrome when he was eight years old. He has written three books and is a keen photographer.

Autism >> Life on the Autism spectrum >> Men in employment/education >> Richard and Sue - Interview 10 >> While Richard can give a dictionary definition of the word enthusiasm, he says that he has never actually felt the emotion.

Richard was diagnosed with Asperger syndrome seven years ago after being referred to a specialist diagnostic centre. He is working hard to change aspects of his behaviour for his wife and family.

Autism >> Life on the Autism spectrum >> Men in employment/education >> Richard and Sue - Interview 10 >> Richard describes, while he has learnt some body language over the past two years, “I don’t communicate own emotions usually because my emotions don’t

Richard was diagnosed with Asperger syndrome seven years ago after being referred to a specialist diagnostic centre. He is working hard to change aspects of his behaviour for his wife and family.

Autism >> Life on the Autism spectrum >> Men in employment/education >> Richard and Sue - Interview 10 >> Sue has had a difficult relationship; she is cautiously hopeful about Richard’s attempts to change his behaviour.

Richard was diagnosed with Asperger syndrome seven years ago after being referred to a specialist diagnostic centre. He is working hard to change aspects of his behaviour for his wife and family.

Autism >> Life on the Autism spectrum >> Men in employment/education >> Richard and Sue - Interview 10 >> Sue talks about the profound impact it has had on their children growing up with a father on the spectrum.

Richard was diagnosed with Asperger syndrome seven years ago after being referred to a specialist diagnostic centre. He is working hard to change aspects of his behaviour for his wife and family.

Autism >> Life on the Autism spectrum >> Women not in paid employment/education >> Debbie - Interview 19 >> When someone told Debbie that they would start working with her in four weeks, she expected them to do that.

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 >> Men in employment/education >> Steve - Interview 37 >> Steven talks about how what a relief it is to interact on the internet rather than in person.

Steve and his son have been diagnosed with Asperger syndrome. Steve is studying for a degree in autism using distance learning and has heightened sensory sensitivities and some OCD traits.

Autism >> Life on the Autism spectrum >> Women not in paid employment/education >> Vicky - Interview 38 >> Vicky finds it difficult to communicate with people.

Vicky was diagnosed with Asperger syndrome when she was 33. She lives independently and has a good social life and supportive family but has found it difficult to get employment.

Autism >> Life on the Autism spectrum >> Women not in paid employment/education >> Neil and Catherine - Interview 55 >> Catherine describes the difficulties she has had in work.

Catherine, 27, was diagnosed with Asperger syndrome when she was 23. She works part time as a volunteer gardener.

Autism >> Life on the Autism spectrum >> Women not in paid employment/education >> Vicky - Interview 38 >> Vicky worries if people are late and thinks they have been involved in an accident.

Vicky was diagnosed with Asperger syndrome when she was 33. She lives independently and has a good social life and supportive family but has found it difficult to get employment.

Autism >> Life on the Autism spectrum >> Women not in paid employment/education >> Vicky - Interview 38 >> Vicky finds dealing with bureaucracy difficult.

Vicky was diagnosed with Asperger syndrome when she was 33. She lives independently and has a good social life and supportive family but has found it difficult to get employment.

Autism >> Life on the Autism spectrum >> Women in employment/education: >> Harriet - Interview 42 >> Harriet went on a course about AS when the trainers commented on her responses during the course.

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.

Autism >> Life on the Autism spectrum >> Women in employment/education: >> Harriet - Interview 42 >> Harriet won’t do “social mixing” unless she is forced and avoids situations with more than three adults.

Autism >> Life on the Autism spectrum >> Men in employment/education >> James - Interview 49 >> In his last year at school James found that he had made friends without realising it at the time.

James was diagnosed with Asperger syndrome when he was 12 years old. After spending some time in a psychiatric ward, James went to a specialist unit on the site of a mainstream school and is now in his third year studying psychology at university.

Autism >> Life on the Autism spectrum >> Men in employment/education >> James - Interview 49 >> James talks about how he felt his life was “an absolute nightmare” but it turned around and how now he “probably wouldn’t have it any other way.

Autism >> Life on the Autism spectrum >> Men in employment/education >> Peter - Interview 50 >> Peter has found a support organisation helpful in finding employment.

Peter, aged 33, was diagnosed with Asperger syndrome three years ago. He is seeing a psychologist regularly which helps him with depression and he is finding life is getting easier over time.

Autism >> Life on the Autism spectrum >> Women not in paid employment/education >> Neil and Catherine - Interview 55 >> Catherine and Neil were pen pals for a few years before they moved in together.

Catherine, 27, was diagnosed with Asperger syndrome when she was 23. She works part time as a volunteer gardener.

Autism >> Life on the Autism spectrum >> Men in employment/education >> Peter - Interview 50 >> Peter describes how he can work through his problems one by one now and is able to ask for help at work without feeling stupid.

Peter, aged 33, was diagnosed with Asperger syndrome three years ago. He is seeing a psychologist regularly which helps him with depression and he is finding life is getting easier over time.

Autism >> Life on the Autism spectrum >> Men in employment/education >> Duncan - Interview 51 >> Duncan often didn’t realise when people were talking to him.

Duncan, 17, was diagnosed with Asperger syndrome when he was thirteen years old after originally being diagnosed with dyspraxia. He is currently in sixth form doing his A levels and hopes to go to university.

Autism >> Life on the Autism spectrum >> Men in employment/education >> Duncan - Interview 51 >> Duncan describes “social suicide situations” where he says something that makes him feel stupid.

Autism >> Life on the Autism spectrum >> Men not in employment/education >> John - Interview 52 >> John was pleased that the psychologist understood him and how “it just fitted into place”.

John, 65, was diagnosed with Asperger syndrome when he was 62. He had a series of jobs and started some university courses over the years but is now unemployed and fills up his days ‘by wasting time’.

Autism >> Life on the Autism spectrum >> Men not in employment/education >> John - Interview 52 >> John describes how people with Asperger syndrome interpret things literally.

Autism >> Life on the Autism spectrum >> Men not in employment/education >> John - Interview 52 >> John walks around and feels that “everyone has ‘got it’ apart from me”.

Autism >> Life on the Autism spectrum >> Women in employment/education: >> Laurie - Interview 53 >> Laurie says the hardest thing about Asperger’s is the difficulty she has making friends.

Laurie, 46, was diagnosed with Asperger syndrome when she was 44. She is starting a university course in journalism and works part time as a market researcher.

Autism >> Life on the Autism spectrum >> Women in employment/education: >> Laurie - Interview 53 >> Laurie describes feeling like a “really tiny person in a huge big world”.

Laurie, 46, was diagnosed with Asperger syndrome when she was 44. She is starting a university course in journalism and works part time as a market researcher.

Autism >> Life on the Autism spectrum >> Men not in employment/education >> Daniel and Margaret - Interview 54 >> Daniel describes how he notices very little when he is concentrating on something and sometimes he forgets to breathe.

Daniel was diagnosed with Asperger syndrome when he was 11 years old. He does voluntary work one day a week and Margaret runs a support group for people with Asperger syndrome.

Autism >> Life on the Autism spectrum >> Men not in employment/education >> Daniel and Margaret - Interview 54 >> Margaret constantly worries about Daniel killing himself after he took an overdose a few years ago.

Daniel was diagnosed with Asperger syndrome when he was 11 years old. He does voluntary work one day a week and Margaret runs a support group for people with Asperger syndrome.

Autism >> Life on the Autism spectrum >> Women not in paid employment/education >> Neil and Catherine - Interview 55 >> Catherine could not bear to speak in front of other people and describes the fear she experiences if she goes into a situation with lots of people.

Catherine, 27, was diagnosed with Asperger syndrome when she was 23. She works part time as a volunteer gardener.

Autism >> Life on the Autism spectrum >> Women not in paid employment/education >> Neil and Catherine - Interview 55 >> Catherine and Neil talk about how they support each other and they have both learnt a lot through their relationship.

Catherine, 27, was diagnosed with Asperger syndrome when she was 23. She works part time as a volunteer gardener.

Autism >> Life on the Autism spectrum >> Women not in paid employment/education >> Neil and Catherine - Interview 55 >> Catherine has learnt how to “sit about with people” from Neil and is amazed she can now do that.

Catherine, 27, was diagnosed with Asperger syndrome when she was 23. She works part time as a volunteer gardener.

Autism >> Life on the Autism spectrum >> Men in employment/education >> Mark - Interview 58 >> Mark always felt different to everyone else.

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 >> Men in employment/education >> Mark - Interview 58 >> Mark soon realised that people with Asperger syndrome are all quite different “and there will be people you like and people you don’t”.

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 >> Men in employment/education >> Steve - Interview 37 >> Steven thinks people on the spectrum like computers because they are safe and predictable.

Steve and his son have been diagnosed with Asperger syndrome. Steve is studying for a degree in autism using distance learning and has heightened sensory sensitivities and some OCD traits.

Autism >> Life on the Autism spectrum >> Men not in employment/education >> Richard – Interview 12b >> Richard feels uncomfortable about jokes made by a member of staff.

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 in employment/education >> Richard and Sue - Interview 10 >> Richard and Sue talk about their different use of internet chat rooms.

Richard was diagnosed with Asperger syndrome seven years ago after being referred to a specialist diagnostic centre. He is working hard to change aspects of his behaviour for his wife and family.

Autism >> Life on the Autism spectrum >> Men in employment/education >> Tim and Julie – Interview 09b >> Julie lets Tim know she is joking by saying “joke alert”.

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 >> Men in employment/education >> Ian – Interview 13b >> Ian finds it difficult to know if people are laughing at him or with him.

Ian is 22 and was diagnosed with autism with he was 8 years old. He is currently doing a vocational waiting at table course and is interested in palaeontology and film making.

Autism >> Life on the Autism spectrum >> Men not in employment/education >> Jamie – Interview 02b >> Jamie “bumps into difficulties” now and again because he misinterprets things.

Jamie was diagnosed with Asperger syndrome when he was 9 years old. He uses certain techniques which helps him gain comfort and confidence in social interactions. He’s working towards finding employment and leaving home to live independently.

Autism >> Life on the Autism spectrum >> Women in employment/education: >> Miranda – Interview 05b >> Miranda is happy to be on her own after some unhappy relationships in the past.

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 >> Mary has been obsessive since the age of three or four. Her first obsession was about food and she could talk about nothing else.

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 not in employment/education >> John – Interview 08b >> John finds his difficulties socialising are magnified when he is with women.

After having a lot of contact with mental health services over the years, John was diagnosed with mild Asperger syndrome aged 45. Previous employment has proved problematic for John and he feels employers should be more aware of Asperger syndrome.

Autism >> Life on the Autism spectrum >> Women not in paid employment/education >> Mary – Interview 01b >> Mary puts on an act to appear more confident than she is.

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 >> Damian – Interview 03b >> Damian’s relationship with his son is “the best thing”.

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 >> Men in employment/education >> Tim and Julie – Interview 09b >> Julie has to mediate misunderstandings that occur between her husband and two sons.

Autism >> Life on the Autism spectrum >> Men in employment/education >> Sam – Interview 17b >> Sam “hated school” and around the age of 15 his ability to cope declined “pretty quickly”.

Sam was diagnosed with Asperger syndrome two years ago. He is studying for a PhD and lives by himself.

Autism >> Life on the Autism spectrum >> Women in employment/education: >> Gail – Interview 06b >> Gail didn’t realise until much later why her stories she wrote at school were entertaining to her classmates.

At 18 year old, Gail suspected she may have Asperger syndrome, but did not feel the need to get diagnosed until more recently. She was diagnosed with Asperger syndrome two years ago.

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 not in employment/education >> Russell – Interview 07b >> Developing an interview technique is something Russell finds difficult.

Russell was diagnosed with Asperger syndrome when he was 12 years old. His awareness of potential difficulties is increasing as he grows older and more aware. Russell describes himself as being prone to outbursts and is taking anti-depressants.

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 >> Men not in employment/education >> John – Interview 08b >> John's dislike of social interaction and his obsessional focus have led to difficulties in the workplace. He is unsure about whether to disclose his a

Autism >> Life on the Autism spectrum >> Women not in paid employment/education >> Mary – Interview 01b >> As a child, Mary was very clingy and obsessive about friendships.

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 not in employment/education >> John – Interview 08b >> John thinks that raising awareness of autism among employers would help.

Autism >> Life on the Autism spectrum >> Men not in employment/education >> Russell – Interview 07b >> Russell mimics people from books so avoids reading them. He doesn’t feel the NAS represents people as they would want to be represented.

Autism >> Life on the Autism spectrum >> Women not in paid employment/education >> Alex – Interview 04b >> Alex recommends some books but thinks that whether people will enjoy the books depends on where they are on the spectrum.

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 >> Men in employment/education >> Sam – Interview 17b >> Sam talks about the support he has had that hasn’t helped him.

Sam was diagnosed with Asperger syndrome two years ago. He is studying for a PhD and lives by himself.

Autism >> Life on the Autism spectrum >> Men not in employment/education >> Simon – Interview 16b >> Simon likes Wikipedia and also found reading the Beano helpful when he was younger because the characters’ expressions where highlighted.

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 >> Women in employment/education: >> Gail – Interview 06b >> Gail finds the written word more tangible and is less distracted when writing online.

At 18 year old, Gail suspected she may have Asperger syndrome, but did not feel the need to get diagnosed until more recently. She was diagnosed with Asperger syndrome two years ago.

Autism >> Life on the Autism spectrum >> Women not in paid employment/education >> Alex – Interview 04b >> Alex thinks she “fakes understanding” sometimes and social care professionals don’t really understand her communication needs.

Autism >> Life on the Autism spectrum >> Men not in employment/education >> John – Interview 08b >> John is content to be on his own but that is “unacceptable by wider society”.

Autism >> Life on the Autism spectrum >> Men in employment/education >> Sam – Interview 17b >> Sam is more optimistic about the balance between socialising and being on his own.

Sam was diagnosed with Asperger syndrome two years ago. He is studying for a PhD and lives by himself.

Autism >> Life on the Autism spectrum >> Men in employment/education >> Martin - Interview 10b >> People irritate Martin who prefers his own company.

Martin was diagnosed with Asperger syndrome aged 12. His mother and older brother have since been diagnosed too.

Autism >> Life on the Autism spectrum >> Men in employment/education >> Tim and Julie – Interview 09b >> Tim and Julie discuss the ways in which Tim was different when he was at school.

Autism >> Life on the Autism spectrum >> Men in employment/education >> Sam – Interview 17b >> Sam enjoyed the academic focus at university and also met his best friend who he was able to connect with. As a postgraduate he found he was accepted

Sam was diagnosed with Asperger syndrome two years ago. He is studying for a PhD and lives by himself.

Autism >> Life on the Autism spectrum >> Women not in paid employment/education >> Alex – Interview 04b >> Alex is very trusting but is more accepting now when people lie.

Autism >> Life on the Autism spectrum >> Men in employment/education >> Ian – Interview 13b >> Ian finds it easier to make friends with autistic people as they think the same.

Ian is 22 and was diagnosed with autism with he was 8 years old. He is currently doing a vocational waiting at table course and is interested in palaeontology and film making.

Autism >> Life on the Autism spectrum >> Men in employment/education >> Oliver and Suzie – Interview 11b >> Susie thinks Oliver has a lot of friends but he finds defining friends difficult.

Autism >> Life on the Autism spectrum >> Men not in employment/education >> Simon – Interview 16b >> It took Simon a while to learn what a friend was and explains how he finds it hard to trust people.

Autism >> Life on the Autism spectrum >> Women not in paid employment/education >> Mary – Interview 01b >> Mary gets on better with people older or younger than her. She thinks this is because she is less interested in fashion and the music that people 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 >> Damian – Interview 03b >> Damian tends to go out with “odd ball misfits” and relationships have been very intense.

Autism >> Life on the Autism spectrum >> Men not in employment/education >> Russell – Interview 07b >> For Russell socialising is like “going into a battle of tongues unarmed” though he would like a girlfriend.

Autism >> Life on the Autism spectrum >> Men in employment/education >> Tim and Julie – Interview 09b >> Julie’s family don’t understand Tim. Tim’s family, while understanding, refuse to discuss autism.

Autism >> Life on the Autism spectrum >> Men in employment/education >> Sam – Interview 17b >> Sam finds socialising difficult partly because he finds most people uninteresting.

Sam was diagnosed with Asperger syndrome two years ago. He is studying for a PhD and lives by himself.

Autism >> Life on the Autism spectrum >> Men in employment/education >> Ian – Interview 13b >> Ian explains why he finds some behaviour disrespectful.

Ian is 22 and was diagnosed with autism with he was 8 years old. He is currently doing a vocational waiting at table course and is interested in palaeontology and film making.

Autism >> Life on the Autism spectrum >> Men not in employment/education >> Russell – Interview 07b >> Russell finds that the effort to control what he is saying can result in the loss of control of his body.

Autism >> Life on the Autism spectrum >> Women in employment/education: >> Gail – Interview 06b >> Gail finds the stress of socialising distracting.

At 18 year old, Gail suspected she may have Asperger syndrome, but did not feel the need to get diagnosed until more recently. She was diagnosed with Asperger syndrome two years ago.

Autism >> Life on the Autism spectrum >> Women in employment/education: >> Gail – Interview 06b >> Gail finds socialising exhausting because there are so many things to focus on.

At 18 year old, Gail suspected she may have Asperger syndrome, but did not feel the need to get diagnosed until more recently. She was diagnosed with Asperger syndrome two years ago.

Autism >> Life on the Autism spectrum >> Women in employment/education: >> Gail – Interview 06b >> Gail was able to communicate with a young boy with classic autism through drawing.

At 18 year old, Gail suspected she may have Asperger syndrome, but did not feel the need to get diagnosed until more recently. She was diagnosed with Asperger syndrome two years ago.

Autism >> Life on the Autism spectrum >> Men not in employment/education >> Simon – Interview 16b >> Simon has studied the art of conversation. He is learning ways of managing his emotions more effectively to avoid self harming.

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