To ask if you have autism and work?

[anon33]

Just received an autism diagnosis for DD10. Autism rather than Asperger's as she had a significant speech delay before 3 (which the paed told me is what is the defining factor between the two) but she described it as "Asperger's presentation. Social skills quite poor, stereotypical movements, general lack of interest in others.

It was all positive until the paed started talking about post 16 education. She suggested that DD could attend a local college with a special ASD class, do some woodwork and an animal course...... Nothing wrong with either of these, but she has no interest in either! It also made me sad that there was no aspiration for further/higher education.

Was watching a program (I think Born Naughty) which touched on ASD and the Dr said only 15% of adults with autism work full time.

I recall quite a few threads here where posters have said they have ASD, so was wondering if/what you do?

Thanks in advance

Dh has aspergers syndrome. He works as a writer for a magazine mostly with some freelance work as well. Trying to be vague so I don't out myself as it's quite identifying.

My son is being assessed at present for high functioning autism and adhd (he is almost 12). I've spent the last couple of years immersed in reading about it and realised that I am pretty much a textbook presentation of a female with Aspergers. I would also put money on my father having Aspergers too.
My father was a qualified pharmacist (who also managed a chemist store) until retirement. I'm a solicitor and work in the City. I'm probably one of the most successful (career wise) from my class at school (grammar).
I worry about my son but I think he might find work/a career in something that fires his imagination enough. Possibly in the tech world as PP have pointed out is common.
We happen to live in the Thames Valley where there is an unusually high proportion on ASD adults, because they migrate here to work in the established tech industry.

I don't want to describe other people too specifically, but of the ones I know who seem to be on the spectrum (I don't ask about formal diagnoses):

Call centre worker (ringing strangers all day)
Photographer
Senior academic (environmental management)
School caretaker
Political scientist
semi-pro tennis player
senior mathematician working in public health (manages teams of people)
oceanographer

Many excel at sport &/or music. I suppose most count as high achievers in multiple disciplines.