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 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 not in employment/education >> Daniel - Interview 24 >> Daniel likes having Asperger syndrome and describes it as being “like a terminator with feelings”.

Daniel was diagnosed with Asperger syndrome when he was 23. Daniel also has OCD and worries a lot about offending people.

Autism >> Life on the Autism spectrum >> Men in employment/education >> Richard and Sue - Interview 10 >> Having seen a psychiatrist who did not make the diagnosis Richard and Sue did their own research and managed to get an out of area referral to a speci

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 their children's reactions to Richard’s diagnosis; it has not helped to change what they had already experienced growing up.

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 >> Debbie and her mother had looked into whether she might be on the autism spectrum when she was in her mid thirties.

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 viewed the diagnosis as a starting point for him to say “Well, yes, that is me, I understand now why I do those things”.

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 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 >> Had Harriet been diagnosed as a child, she wouldn’t have felt that she was “a bad and horrid and evil person”.

Autism >> Life on the Autism spectrum >> Men in employment/education >> James - Interview 49 >> James felt very bad about himself when he was diagnosed during secondary school. He said it was “soul destroying” to find out he was disabled.

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 >> Peter - Interview 50 >> Peter’s mum persuaded him to go to a psychologist after he got a criminal record.

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 >> Peter - Interview 50 >> Peter knew nothing about Asperger syndrome when he was diagnosed so his first concern was “was I going to die from it or something”.

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 felt pleased to get the diagnosis because ”it put a lot of things into place and answered a lot of questions”.

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 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 feels a childhood diagnosis would have changed his life.

Autism >> Life on the Autism spectrum >> Men not in employment/education >> John - Interview 52 >> John has always had great difficulty assessing ”good and bad faith in other people” which has affected his working life.

Autism >> Life on the Autism spectrum >> Men in employment/education >> Sam – Interview 17b >> Being autistic has ruined Sam’s life and he can think of little positive about it.

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: >> Laurie - Interview 53 >> Laurie followed “step by step” the recommendations on the NAS website.

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 said that if she hadn’t had the diagnosis of Asperger syndrome she would have continued to worry about what was wrong with her.

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 not in paid employment/education >> Neil and Catherine - Interview 55 >> Someone online suggested Catherine may have Asperger syndrome after years of seeing doctors and psychiatrists.

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 was worried before getting the diagnosis but mostly she felt relief at no longer having to see doctors.

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 >> Once Mark realised he had to stop ignoring the difficulties he was facing when he couldn’t face going into work.

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 arranged a private assessment some distance from home after finding his GP, the NHS and the NAS “chronically useless”.

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 worried about not being diagnosed and felt that he needed the diagnosis for his “own personal growth”.

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 >> For Mark the diagnosis means a “little magic piece of paper that says can you treat this person a little differently”.

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 is more optimistic about his new course at university because he has a diagnosis now and can access support.

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: >> Catherine - Interview 63 >> Catherine went for a diagnosis after having difficulties learning to drive and getting some information about Asperger syndrome from her auntie.

Catherine, 25, was diagnosed with Asperger syndrome when she was 19. She works part time in a dog rescue home and hopes to increase her working hours.

Autism >> Life on the Autism spectrum >> Men in employment/education >> Peter - Interview 50 >> Peter finds telling people about Asperger syndrome hard to deal with because he is never sure what their response will be.

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 not in employment/education >> Jamie – Interview 02b >> Jamie’s mum instigated his diagnosis as a child because his behaviour was different to other children.

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 not in paid employment/education >> Alex – Interview 04b >> the diagnosis didn’t get Alex sweets, drinks or toys so didn’t interest her.

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 not in employment/education >> Richard – Interview 12b >> Richard didn’t know what autism meant until later in his life.

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 >> 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 >> Mary worried about having a personality disorder and was relieved to be diagnosed with AS.

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 >> Julie found it “useful to know” that her husband was autistic so she could change her expectations of him.

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 not in employment/education >> John – Interview 08b >> John was pleased to be diagnosed but was left with the same underlying problems in his life.

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 >> 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 >> Women in employment/education: >> Gail – Interview 06b >> Gail sees autism as a difference in the same way that race and sexuality are different.

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 >> Russell – Interview 07b >> Russell thinks the diagnosis has “created a block on his normal behaviour” but also explains some of his peculiar tendencies.

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 >> Tim and Julie – Interview 09b >> Julie is better able to let Tim do what he wants to do, now they have the diagnosis.

Autism >> Life on the Autism spectrum >> Women not in paid employment/education >> Mary – Interview 01b >> Mary did some research after feeling that her diagnosis of OCD “wasn’t the full story”.

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 >> Sam – Interview 17b >> Sam wasn’t convinced by the suggested diagnosis of schizoid type personality disorder and so did some research.

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 >> John – Interview 08b >> John was on the verge of a diagnosis of schizophrenia as a teenager.

Autism >> Life on the Autism spectrum >> Men in employment/education >> Damian – Interview 03b >> Damian suspected his son was autistic then realised the reading he was doing related to himself. He found autobiographies were more helpful than diagn

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 >> Damian – Interview 03b >> Damian’s GP wrote and said she couldn’t do much because Damian’s IQ was over 70.

Autism >> Life on the Autism spectrum >> Men in employment/education >> Oliver and Suzie – Interview 11b >> Oliver and his parents were interviewed before the diagnosis was confirmed.

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 not in paid employment/education >> Mary – Interview 01b >> The first psychiatrist Mary saw said that she interacted too well to have Asperger syndrome. The second carried out specific tests for autism spectrum

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 >> 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.

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 not in paid employment/education >> Mary – Interview 01b >> Mary was afraid she might have a personality disorder. When she realised she might have Asperger syndrome she read everything she could about it.

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 >> Christopher – Interview 14b >> Christopher is unhappy he is autistic, but also glad that he is.

Christopher, 17, was diagnosed with Asperger syndrome when he was 14. Family is very important to Christopher and he will soon start college to do A-Levels in history and law.

Autism >> Life on the Autism spectrum >> Women in employment/education: >> Miranda – Interview 05b >> Miranda finds the pace of work at college very fast and has had help at college since getting her diagnosis of Asperger syndrome.

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 in employment/education: >> Gail – Interview 06b >> Gail struggled on her Speech and Language course because there were so many different things to keep track of. She was allowed to go part time once sh

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 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 in employment/education >> Damian – Interview 03b >> Damian was upset when he was first diagnosed because of the labels he’d been given in the past.

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