[smilesnd]

First off you can't self diagnosis yourself with a mental illness. Even experts in the field don't self diagnosis because you have to be objective. Someone that sees a pink elephant from time to time still has to ask someone else if they see it to. There might actually be a pink elephant wondering around.

Second you don't have to be a office social butterfly to have good communication skills. Communication skills is being able to portray information to someone so they can understand it. It is one of the most difficult thing for humans to do.

Thirdly even if you do have autism doesn't mean shit. I have a ton of friends that have been diagnosis with different kinds of autisms. They don't use it as a escape goat nor should any one.

Sorry you having difficulty fitting in with others and getting a job. You did it once so it is mostly likely you will do it again just keep grinding away.

[zbyte64]

Should we be calling Autism an illness? Like OP I feel like this condition is not a negative thing, just a different thing with some drawbacks and benefits.

Communication and socialization are different categories. Personally, communication isn't an issue if it is goal oriented. When I do not understand the goal of many social situations, communication does not follow.

When you get fired for not being chatty enough and you cannot change even if you wanted to then autism means something. Not a scape goat but god dammit people need to understand "a culture fit" does not mean hiring friends.

[smilesnd]

First off illness and mental illness 2 different things.

Second there are people that don't have any mental illness. They are just general dicks or idiots, and get fired for not being a "culture fit".

Thirdly there is 2 sides for ever story. We have little facts about the entire situation. In my experience when you get fired they don't give you reason why. They wish you best luck in hopes you don't show up the next day with a gun, and that is about it.

Finally people get fired all the time for all sorts of reason. Some times the company doesn't need all the people. Sometimes the CEO wants more money whatever reason it is it happens. I seen people get fired because they couldn't speak English, and it wasn't like they were hiding it through the interview process. Life is rough get a helmet don't use anything in life as a escape goat.

[LifeQuestioner]

I think the fact you just called Autism a "Mental illness" - and the fact is is NOT a mental illness, kinda undermines any advice you're giving and indicates you don't understand what Autism is, let alone how it affects people.

"Social/communication", "difficulties" is one small part of autism.

[smilesnd]

Autism is a neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by impaired social interaction, verbal and non-verbal communication, and restricted and repetitive behavior.

A mental disorder, also called a mental illness[1] or psychiatric disorder, is a diagnosis by a mental health professional of a behavioral or mental pattern that may cause suffering or a poor ability to function in life. Such features may be persistent, relapsing and remitting, or occur as a single episode. Many disorders have been described, with signs and symptoms that vary widely between specific disorders.

Hence autism does fall into the category of mental illness. Maybe psychiatric disorder would be a better term, but pears to pears at this point.