AUTISM

How My Asperger’s Syndrome Got Me Incorrectly Pigeonholed as a Tech Geek

Not everyone on the autistic spectrum is obsessed with technology

I was diagnosed with Asperger's syndrome in 2012 at the age of 34.

At the time, it felt like a huge relief. I’d spent years struggling with employment and social situations. Now I finally had an explanation.

About a year after my diagnosis, I got a part-time job with an autism-friendly company. I ran their websites, which they were glad about because nobody else there seemed to know how.

But from the outset, there was a bit of a misunderstanding. They thought I was some kind of tech geek.

In hindsight, I can understand why:

• Many techies are on the autistic spectrum.
• I studied IT at college.

I remember a conversation I had with the accounts lady about my Asperger’s. She said that the first time she met me she just thought I was a “typical techie”. She saw my social awkwardness and interpreted it in that way.

But here’s the thing — I don’t consider myself a techie or a computer expert.

But I suppose it’s all relative. Compared to my clueless mother or technophobe father, I am. But compared to a true techie, I’m definitely not.

I studied IT at college very reluctantly, only because I couldn’t think of what else to do. But I had no genuine interest in it. I only passed the course because I stuck it out to the bitter end. I knew I needed some type of qualification.

When I first got my own PC in 1998, I found it baffling. I had to call on my true techie friend to help me whenever I had any problems with it.

And the first IT job I had after college was a disaster.

I didn’t get my first laptop until 2015. I didn’t get a smartphone until 2018. I hardly ever read technology news.

In my part-time website job, I knew just enough technical stuff to get by. And that was only due to having used WordPress to create my own websites.

And I was able to fix minor problems with my colleagues' computers. That just came from the familiarity of owning one for so many years.

But I didn’t enjoy it or have any particular interest in any of it. Because I’m not a techie.

I consider myself more of a creative person. I’m more into writing, photography, playing around with images, and making music. That’s far more interesting than all the technical stuff.

Come join Medium and support me and thousands of other writers by signing up for a membership. It’s only $5 per month. You could also make money by writing too. The top writers can make $500+ per month. Sign up with this link, you’ll support me directly and it won’t cost you any extra. Thank you in advance.