Hi from Aussie Newbie

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Welcome to Wrong Planet!

Hi, I'm in Brisbane, I have just re-joined after having a break from Asperger forums around the world wide web.

I am 34 and got the diagnosis aged 30. I have had many different jobs - the longest in call centres in my early 20's. I have been contemplating going to University next year, but I think it is too social for my liking.

Hello to everyone on this thread, especially fellow Aussies

Hi emc2, maybe you could do at least part of your degree through distance education? Although, when I went to Uni, I only mixed with students who wanted to put the effort in - which meant that there was no time for socializing. The only socializing we did was coffee and discussion between lectures, and study groups, etc.

I have been visiting the uni's around Brisbane - UQ seemed to have the best understanding of Asperger's. ACU was good but not for me, I felt the course co-ordinator wanted to "socialise" anyone with Ausbergers (her pronounciation) by getting them in her Drama classes! (not my "cup of tea").

On the other hand I have realised if I go to Uni on the Disability Pension (that's if Centrefink don't take it off me) I won't have any money for anything else. So I am putting the idea on hold for now.

Doing a B Arts and becoming a Librarian or Research Assistant was something I wanted to do almost 20 years ago when I left school. However at that time - the year I left the tertiary entrance scores were quite skewed. People who were high achievers (not me but anyway to explain the situation at the time) got low tertiary entrance scores. My ranking when I left school was a ranking 66 (TE Score 665) (approx OP 16). I did the STAT test in 2001 and found out I have a ranking of 80 (equivalent to an OP 10).

Yes, so after a lot of thinking I am going to procrastinate and get stuck into my hobbies of painting, card making and beading instead and see if I can make some money from those; and also look at getting into Website Design and possibly doing a Cert IV in Graphic Design. I wouldn't say I am that great at drawing however I am great with colour.

My parents are constantly trying to pressure me into doing various jobs (I have worked in the past) but I can't do it anymore. My last job I really felt like I was a square peg in a round hole - it was ok, but being in hospitality and having a flat expression is not the best! (apart from the other hassles that I won't go into).

So I will give this Art thing a go and see what happens in the next 12 months.

I like the idea of Distance Ed but I am an auditory learner in some ways so I like the idea of lectures. But in the past few years I have suffered more social anxiety, paranoia and panic attacks so that is what is also putting me off going to UQ; that and mixing in with 19yo's. It is a lovely campus though.

Hi Emc2,

welcome to the site.

Heya to you