Actually, I was diagnosed with Asperger's. I don't consider Asperger's and Autism to be connected, but that's just my own unprofessional opinion. I don't think that Asperger's can ever get better or worse. But, it has side effects, such as an inability to communicate, severe OCD, severe depression, etc., and each one of these side effects can be brought under control fairly well once you realize which psychiatric medication works best: one medication for each side effect. The problem is that then, just getting a job is not the problem: the problem is getting a job that provides health care coverage. And from my experiences, that's not going to happen. Only the best jobs provide full health care coverage, and the best jobs are ones that people with Asperger's are not likely to have (despite what the media and Hollywood want you to believe). That's because if you grew up with an inability to communicate, severe OCD, and severe depression, even if you had the money and time to find the right meds to control each one, your academic record looks like a rollercoaster, even if you graduated from a good university (I did). Anyway, I'm semi-retired now, because I had the family business to save me from "everything" basically, and if anyone else out there with Asperger's or Autism wants to start up a business, just contact me. I think we could use our disability as an asset, because Hollywood has presented Asperger's people are being geniuses (ha!), and presented people with Autism has having magical qualities.
@sofaramnotdead You pose an interesting concept of work and being on the autism spectrum! I, too, was diagnosed with Asperger's Syndrome, as an adult, after many unpleasant employment experiences. Plus life-in-general difficulties. Once I had a diagnosis, it was easy to see how that different-ability [rather than calling it a disability] had framed my life and choices I made. As a result of that, my life has been enriched greatly and I understand so much more about myself.
It is not an inability to communicate, but a different style of communicating that most of the world isn't comfortable with, from my standpoint. For example, I do not sugar-coat things, and speak truthfully. If those words and thoughts get through the censor in my brain, and I realize they may be seen as hurtful to the listener, often that thought is not voiced. In silence there is a lot to hear, also!
Almost my entire work life, I had good jobs that supplied health coverage and benefits. I believe there exists numerous opportunities for those of us who see the world differently. We may have issues "fitting in", but it seems there is more acceptance these days. Everybody has a gift to give to themselves and others. What is yours?
Ginger