I'm new to the group

[Guest guest]

Hello, I'm new to the group and thought I would introduce myself.

My name is , I'm a 35-year-old male with Asperger's Syndrome. I

was born and brought up in France; I left in 1993 and have lived in

England ever since. I live in a rented flat in Fareham, Hampshire,

independently and on my own.

I obtained a Maths degree back in 1992, but I have never had a job

commensurate with this qualification. In fact for many years I have

struggled to get a job at all; for a long time I only had a few

short-term jobs together with periods of unemployment. For the past 6

years however I have worked in a full-time permanent job as a

storeman. It doesn't pay well though, I'm now enrolling onto a

computer course shortly and hoping to qualify as a specialist.

I diagnosed myself with AS a couple of years ago. I had heard about

autism throughout the past ten years or so, one bit of information

here, one bit there, another one there, etc.; eventually I recognized

a pattern of high intellectual ability with low social skills, the

more I thought about it the more I realized it seemed to fit me. I

eventually went to the local library to investigate (that was before I

had Internet access), found out about Asperger's and realized it was

me! My reaction was one of immediate relief and intense joy - I was

actually crying! This was soon to be followed, however, by anger,

confusion and depression when I noticed there was a lack of services

and recognition of the condition (euphemism). At the moment I am

coping reasonably well materially but I have constant problems with

intense negative emotions; because people can't see that nobody helps

me. I am also very acutely sensitive to sounds, which has caused

serious problems.

I have been involved with a local support group, who have provided me

with some degree of support, although nowhere near what I need. I am

also a member of the National Autistic Society here in the UK; they

have never supported me however, they have let me down time and again.

I am trying to get more closely involved with them, so as to help

change the organization's attitudes and practices.

I prefer to live in England rather than France because: it is easier

to find work; it is easier to be eccentric; and it is easier to make

important changes to your life (such as a change of career, or

stopping all contact with your family).

My hobbies include cycling, hiking, studying philosophy and Science,

and listening to classical music; and I like cats, although I can't

have one at the moment.

I am hoping to enjoy the group.