Freelancing can look very appealing on the surface: setting your own hours, choosing your clients, working on projects that interest you. But if you’re autistic, the question of whether freelancing is a good fit goes a bit deeper. Like many things, the answer isn’t a straightforward yes or no – it depends on your strengths, preferences and the way you like to work.
Here are some things worth considering before you decide whether freelancing might suit you.
1. Clients don’t always know what they want
One of the biggest challenges in freelancing is that clients often come to you with vague or incomplete briefs. They might say they want a website, a report, or some advice, but they’re not always clear about the details. That means you need to be very clear – with yourself and with them – about exactly what work you’ll do, and at what price.
If you don’t set those boundaries, you risk scope creep, where the project grows and grows beyond what was originally agreed, without the extra pay to match. Being explicit upfront protects both you and your client, and it saves a lot of stress later on.
2. Promoting your service in a way that works for you
Freelancing isn’t just about doing the work, it’s also about finding the work. That means marketing yourself. For some autistic people, traditional networking events full of small talk and unspoken rules feel exhausting or even impossible.
The good news is there are many ways to promote your services. Online networking, sharing useful content, or building relationships in communities that feel comfortable to you can all be just as effective as face-to-face meetups. The key is to choose methods that play to your strengths rather than forcing yourself into situations that drain you.
3. Relationships matter, and they can be complex
Freelancing is about more than delivering a service. A lot of it comes down to relationships with your clients. And relationships can be complicated, especially when much of what matters isn’t said explicitly. Reading between the lines, interpreting tone, and picking up on social cues are all part of the job.
This doesn’t mean you can’t succeed as an autistic freelancer, but it does mean being aware of the role that these subtler skills play. Sometimes, being direct and asking clarifying questions is the best approach – it avoids misunderstandings and ensures you and your client are on the same page.
4. Boundaries are essential
Working for yourself can blur the lines between personal and professional life. Clients may expect you to be available at all hours, or you may find it hard to switch off from work. Setting clear boundaries – when you’re available, what you will and won’t do, how quickly you’ll respond – is vital for protecting your wellbeing.
Boundaries aren’t just about time; they’re also about emotional energy. Freelancing can be demanding, and knowing when to step back is just as important as knowing when to push forward.
5. It’s not just the service – it’s running a business
This is the part that often gets overlooked: freelancing isn’t just about doing the thing you’re skilled at. It’s running a one-person business. That means you’re responsible for customer service, managing your finances, chasing invoices, handling sales and marketing, and keeping on top of admin.
For some autistic people, this breadth of responsibility can feel overwhelming. For others, it’s actually freeing because you have control over how things are done, and you can put systems in place that work for you.
So, is freelancing a good idea?
If you’re autistic, freelancing can absolutely be a good path – but it’s not the right choice for everyone. It can offer flexibility, autonomy and a chance to build work around your strengths. At the same time, it requires resilience, self-promotion and a willingness to deal with uncertainty and complexity.
The most important thing is to go in with your eyes open. Understand what’s involved, know your boundaries, and be honest with yourself about what kind of support and systems you’ll need. With the right preparation, freelancing can be not just a job, but a sustainable and rewarding way of working.
How I can help: With mentoring, I can support you as you work through the issues above, to decide if freelancing is right for you and as you implement the steps above, and more. You can find out more about this on my how I could help you page.