I have an autistic brother who managed to get married-- but is now divorced. He's been working full time at menial(sp?) jobs(almost didn't get through high school, was held back a year) all his adult life-- 30+years. He is not aggressive but took up alcohol by age 18 to cope with the stresses of keeping up with life.

I also have an autistic niece, she is unable to function at all in the work place. She does talk A LOT.. but then so does my brother. My niece struggled to finish high school as well and is now living with her parents-- my sister and her husband. She has her routine, shows she MUST watch at certain times, take a shower at the same time every night, puts her brush in the same spot on her dresser... and such.

I don't really see that much difference between the two- brother and niece. He does work-- maybe like you said-- due to social pressure. My niece tried being a housekeeper at hotels but she couldn't keep up and ended up with bald spots on her head from pulling her hair out due to stress.

I wonder if the differences are more social than attributed to autism.... as men in general are more aggressive/physical and women are generally more verbal and perfectionistic.

on a side note--- Wow!! I can't even imagine an autistic managing college... I guess the ones I know are more severe than the ones most of you are talking about. That seems so so highly functional-- wow! I didn't know one was autistic if they could manage such high functioning.

regards to all
fins