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 >> Steve - Interview 37 >> Steven describes how people with Asperger syndrome can focus on tasks a lot more than most people but the task has got to be something they want to do

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 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 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 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 >> 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.

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 describes how he gradually weaned himself off support and started university without relying on other people.

Autism >> Life on the Autism spectrum >> Men in employment/education >> Mark - Interview 58 >> Mark is not sure if he could deal with the ‘level of intensity’ involved in an intimate relationship

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 >> James - Interview 49 >> James has found self help books more useful than books written about autism.

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 preferred to be on his own when he was younger and always preferred structured games like War Hammer.

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 >> 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 >> Sam – Interview 17b >> Sam used to hide in his room from housemates and would only consider living with postgraduates in the future.

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 >> Mary – Interview 01b >> Mary has discovered that she really enjoys learning but didn’t like the form of working at school.

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 >> 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 >> 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 >> 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 >> 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 >> 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

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 >> Men not in employment/education >> Simon – Interview 16b >> Simon thinks he has overcomplicated interactions because he is so conscious of them.

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 >> John – Interview 08b >> John is content to be on his own but that is “unacceptable by wider society”.

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 not in employment/education >> Simon – Interview 16b >> Simon sometimes finds his obsessions comforting. Computer games for example, are more predictable than people so are animals.

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.

Autism >> Life on the Autism spectrum >> Women in employment/education: >> Gail – Interview 06b >> Gail enjoyed her Masters course in English Literature in Canada. Reading had been an obsession when she was younger.

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 >> 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 >> 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.

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 >> Simon – Interview 16b >> Simon became depressed in his third year at college and found that people didn’t respect each other’s views in the class.

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.

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 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 >> 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 >> 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 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 >> Men in employment/education >> Duncan - Interview 51 >> Duncan prefers a night in, wearing a baggy tee shirt and jogging bottoms, to going out.

Autism >> Life on the Autism spectrum >> Women not in paid employment/education >> Vicky - Interview 38 >> Vicky finds her support group a place to get away from everyday situations and have a normal life.

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 >> 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.

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 >> Russell – Interview 07b >> Russell’s interest in abstract maths “isn’t seen as socially normal”.

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