I’m “mild autistic,” bad at socializing, but I really want to find a job. What should I do?

Let’s talk about this:

Hello,
I’m really not good at socializing at all. I don’t really know how to do things, I’m not very brave, and I’m “mild autistic.” I don’t speak very clearly or coherently. And right now I’m about to graduate from high school, so I absolutely have to find a job.

Does anyone have any suggestions for me?
Jobs that aren’t too intense, where I can slowly grow and improve over time, something like that 👉🏻👈🏻

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Here’s how I see it : 

My friend… ❤️
First of all, thank you so much for having the courage to write this and share your story.
The fact that you dared to type this message and ask already means “you’re very brave”.

I want you to know this: being “mild autistic” or having Autism Spectrum Level 1 doesn’t mean you’ll never be able to find a job or live your life like other people —

It just means that “you need to find your own specific way” that fits your brain and your rhythm in life. 💙

Today, I’ll talk to you like best friends staying up chatting all night.

We’ll slowly unpack things layer by layer —

• understanding what “mild autistic” means,
• why socializing is hard,
• and how to start looking for jobs in a way that matches your pace.

Along with a step-by-step way to grow gently,
no rushing, no comparing — just moving one small step at a time. 🌱

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🌙 Chapter 1: Understand yourself first — “Mild autistic” doesn’t mean “weird,” it means “a different kind of brain”

The phrase “ออทิสติกเทียม” (mild autistic) or Autism Spectrum Level 1
(some people call it high-functioning autism or Asperger-like)

refers to someone who has some difficulties with social communication and some repetitive patterns of behavior,
but can still live daily life independently.

Simply put:

• You do understand the world, but it takes more energy when you have to talk to people.
• You might speak very little, respond slowly, or reply in a very direct way.
• Sometimes you’re not sure when you should speak or when you should stop.
• And you often “think a lot before you talk,” so people misunderstand and think you’re cold or uninterested.

But in reality, people who are mild autistic often have a brain that is detailed, sensitive, and processes information more deeply than most people.

It’s just that sometimes it’s so deep that you get tired from social situations.

💡 Your brain doesn’t have a “flaw.”
It simply receives and processes information differently from others.

So you need an environment that doesn’t make you feel like you have to constantly force yourself.

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🧠 Chapter 2: Understand your strengths — because “mild autistic” comes with more advantages than you think

Before we talk about job hunting,
I want you to really get to know your own brain.

People on the autism spectrum (especially at the milder levels)
often have unique strengths that many companies around the world truly value, such as:

✳️ 1. Strong focus and attention to detail

You might be able to do small repetitive tasks without getting bored, such as:

• data entry,
• filling out forms,
• organizing products,

or work that requires high accuracy and precision.

Big companies like Microsoft and SAP even have special programs like “Autism at Work” that recruit people like you specifically.

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✳️ 2. Honesty and a strong sense of order

Mild autistic people often:

• dislike lying,
• dislike office politics,
• speak directly,
• and follow rules very well.

This is “pure gold” in many workplaces.

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✳️ 3. Logical and deep thinking

Many people on the spectrum are strong in:

• logic,
• numbers,
• language,
• or complex systems.

Your brain tends to connect information in a very rational way, more than the average person.

This fits jobs involving:

• analysis,
• programming,
• translation,
• or organizing data.

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✳️ 4. Loyalty and high perseverance

If you get to work with people you trust,
you’ll give it your whole heart.

Autistic people aren’t “easily bored” —
they just need a job that understands them.

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☕ Chapter 3: Understand your challenges — then design a “gentle life plan”

Right now, you said:

“I’m bad at socializing, I don’t speak clearly, and I’m not very brave.”

I really understand how that makes job hunting feel like a huge mountain.

But please remember this 👉

Your first job doesn’t have to be perfect. It just needs to be a “practice ground for your heart.”

Let’s look at some common challenges that mild autistic people face when starting work,
and then we’ll find ways to handle them one by one.

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💬 Challenge 1: “I’m not good at socializing. I’m scared to talk to people.”

Mild autistic people often don’t instinctively understand the structure of “small talk.”

When people joke or tease playfully,
you might take it literally and feel tired or stressed.

How to practice:

• Start with goal-based communication first — like talking about work, or about things you’re genuinely interested in.
• Don’t force yourself to start conversations with things like “Nice weather today,” if it doesn’t feel natural.
• You can absolutely use a smile and a nod instead of words sometimes.

💡 Try practicing with family members first.
Have them start a conversation, and practice short replies like:

“Oh really? That’s nice.”
“That’s true. It’s like what we saw before.”

You don’t have to be a talkative person.
Simply replying politely and listening sincerely is already enough.

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🧍‍♀️ Challenge 2: “I don’t know what kind of job to start with.”

When people say “Just go find a job,”
for someone autistic it can feel like they’re saying,

“Just go jump over a mountain.”

It feels too big and too far.

Approach:
Start with small, safe jobs first, such as:

• part-time work,
• back-office tasks (no direct contact with customers),
• online work,
• jobs with clear, step-by-step routines like packing items, data entry, translation, graphic design, article writing.

Don’t worry yet about “high positions.”
Just think:

“How can I start being in a work environment without breaking my heart?”

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💻 Challenge 3: “I’m scared of interviews.”

This is very common.
Interviews are like “high-pressure social events” compressed into a short time.

How to cope:

• Write down short answers in advance, for example:

“What are you good at?” →

“I’m good at tasks that require focus, like data entry.”

“Why do you want this job?” →

“Because it’s the kind of work I can do consistently without getting too overwhelmed.”

• Practice in front of a mirror for 5 minutes a day — eye contact, slow and clear speech.
• If you have an official diagnosis from a doctor, you might be able to use disability employment benefits. That can push companies to understand you better and adjust the environment to fit your needs.

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⚙️ Challenge 4: “I don’t really know how to do anything.”

This is not your fault.

Our education system often doesn’t teach “real work skills,”
so it’s natural to feel unprepared.

Approach:
Start with small online skill practice, such as:

• exercises on career platforms (SkillLane, Coursera, Thai MOOC),
• trying to sell a small item on Shopee or TikTok (behind the scenes, you don’t have to show your face),
• practicing with Word, Excel, Canva.

When you actually try doing things, even little by little,
your brain will slowly start to believe:

“Hey, I can do things.”

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🕰️ Challenge 5: “I get tired easily with changes.”

Mild autistic people often exhaust faster in new environments
because their brain uses a lot of energy to adjust.

Approach:

• Don’t do too many new things at once.
• Build a stable daily routine: wake up – eat – work – rest – sleep, at roughly the same times.
• If you know you’ll be around many people, always plan rest time afterward.

For example:
If you go to a job interview for 1 hour →
Give yourself 2 hours of quiet time afterward.

Don’t feel guilty about needing rest.
Rest is part of sustainable socializing.

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🌤️ Chapter 4: A real-world job path — from zero to first job

Okay, let’s look at a step-by-step path you can actually follow.

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🧩 Step 1: Self-assessment

Take a piece of paper and draw 3 columns 👇

Things I like	Things I can do	Things I don’t like
Listening to music, making crafts, watching cat videos	Typing fast, using a smartphone well	Talking to strangers, loud environments

From here, you’ll start to see what types of jobs might fit you.

For example:

• Like being alone + can type → data entry
• Like animals + gentle personality → pet shop work

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💡 Step 2: Look for “low-talk” jobs

Here are examples of jobs suitable for mild autistic people:

Job Type	What it’s like	Compatibility
Data Entry	Entering info into Excel or online systems	✅ Very suitable
Graphic design / Canva	Creating visuals, layouts, simple graphics	✅ Quiet and flexible
Bookstore / Library staff	Sorting, shelving, organizing books	✅ Calm and structured
Translation / Article writing	Can be done from home, minimal talking	✅
Light factory work	Packing products, quality checking	✅ But depends on noise/smell level
Animal care / small farms	Feeding, cleaning, basic care	✅ Great for gentle personalities

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💬 Step 3: Write a short résumé that “speaks for you”

Since mild autistic people may not be very verbally expressive,
let your paper speak for you.

Here’s a simple example 👇

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Name: Karn
Age: 18
Education: Completed Matthayom 6 (High school)
Strengths: Dedicated learner, detail-oriented, quiet but highly responsible
What I want from a job: Clear, step-by-step tasks I can repeat; not too much social interaction
Experience: Helped family with shop work / Helped enter data into Excel
Skills: Basic computer use, Word, Canva

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A résumé like this helps potential employers understand the kind of environment you need,
and gives them a chance to adjust things for you.

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🧭 Step 4: Search for jobs through places that “understand special needs”

Look for organizations or programs that support autistic individuals or people with communication challenges.
Many countries have initiatives that connect neurodivergent candidates with inclusive employers — offering gentle, structured environments, and even vocational training in areas like baking, computer skills, and animal care.

You can also check large companies that have “inclusive employment” policies or “neurodiversity hiring programs.”
These often provide coaching, mentorship, and calm work settings where your unique strengths are valued.

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💻 Step 5: Start with freelance or online work

If you’re still not comfortable going out and meeting many people,
start from home with online work:

• writing simple articles,
• doing designs in Canva,
• typing / data entry tasks.

You can practice:

• communicating through text,
• managing your time,
• delivering work to clients

before stepping into a physical workplace.

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💞 Chapter 5: How to practice “socializing” without forcing yourself

You don’t have to become a talkative person.
It’s enough to simply learn how to be in a group without feeling miserable.

1️⃣ Start small
Talk to 1–2 people you trust first.
Then gradually join slightly bigger groups.

2️⃣ Use body language instead of words

Sometimes:

• a nod,
• a small smile,

can communicate just as much as speaking.

3️⃣ Don’t force yourself to understand every joke

People joke around a lot.
If you don’t understand, it’s okay to just smile.
You don’t have to feel bad.

4️⃣ Practice being “quiet but confident”

You don’t have to talk all the time to “fit in.”
Many people actually like being around someone who is:

“quiet, but kind.”

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🌷 Chapter 6: The most important thing — don’t forget to love yourself along the way

My friend…
Being mild autistic doesn’t make you less than anyone.

It only means “your path is a little slower than others’.”

But every step you take is deeper and more sincere. ❤️

If one day you’re exhausted from practicing social skills,
say this softly to yourself:

“I tried my best today. Thank you, me.”

No need to rush to grow.
No need to rush to be “good enough.”

Because your unique kind of “good”
is already growing at its own pace.

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🌻 Summary from your friend, me.

1. You are not weird — your brain is simply more detailed and deeper than most.
2. Start with small, safe jobs and gradually move to bigger ones.
3. Speaking little is not a flaw if you listen with your heart.
4. Practice socializing bit by bit — don’t erase yourself just to be liked.
5. Don’t forget to rest. Don’t forget to praise yourself every time you dare to step forward.

You may not realize it,
but every word you wrote in your post clearly shows that:

“You want to grow. You want to try. And you have a heart that refuses to give up.”

This world still has so many jobs waiting for someone exactly like you —

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#AutismSpectrum #HighFunctioningAutism #MildAutism #JobSearchJourney #FirstJobAfterHighSchool #NeurodivergentStrengths #SocialAnxiety #GentleGrowth #YouCanDoThis #DramoCiety