Jesse is autistic. He lives in New York and is staying in his first apartment as an independent adult. He works as a Living Resource Habilitation Liaison. This is also his first college experience. Jesse is 33 years old and is learning how to keep his place clean on his own. Consequently, he has discovered that you must clean it as you go. He has also learned that when you have a job, you don’t have to try so hard to be perfect.

“I will not let it destroy me like it did 10 years ago.”

Sadly, Jesse also realizes that in some previous employment experiences he was spoon-fed. For some time, that made him somewhat upset and was just too much for him to handle. He will not let it destroy him like it did 10 years ago. He still remembers, but he will not allow the past to run his life. Jesse knows that dwelling in the past each day causes him to waste precious time that could be used for work.

At work, he uses what he calls Asperger’s Insurance. He goes above and beyond the line of duty so his tardiness, when committed, may be overlooked. He no longer mentions he has Asperger’s or is on the autism spectrum when he speaks with others as it relates to work.

“Being autistic gives me no choice but to accept change.”

Jesse believes being autistic gave him no choice but to accept change. When he is faced with two extremes, he chooses from the option that is less extreme. He gave an example of loving Halloween even though he’s in his early 30s. Every year he looks forward to going trick or treating. However, recently he and his girlfriend went to New York City to attend an event instead of celebrating Halloween. Although he really didn’t want to miss trick or treating he realized that he needed to go where his girlfriend wanted and it was the adult thing to do. Jesse has been dating his girlfriend for quite a while, which he feels is a significant accomplishment for him.

Jesse S. was interviewed for the ASPECTS OF CHANGE book and consented to share his experience. Many things have changed since the interview.