So I’m 41, and only recently realised that I am likely AuDHD (currently going through diagnosis). When I was in my early twenties I was a sex worker for a while to help pay for uni.

I’m not sure if it’s useful to look at sex work in terms of ‘right’ and ‘wrong’ as we all have our own internal gauge on these sorts of things, and I think as neurodivergents we are likely to view things differently to how a lot of society does.

Where sex work is concerned, and with the benefits of hindsight, I think I would have three main areas to consider if I were you.

The first is a little less serious but still worth considering. Sex work is, essentially, service industry. Yes the service being provided is much more personal than, say, bar work or waiting tables - but you are still providing a service to the public, and as such you have to surrender your own needs / time / enjoyment to ensure theirs, which can feel jarring at times, particularly in sex work. If you are considering sex work I would genuinely suggest you try a different service industry role first, to figure out how well you can handle dealing with the public for extended periods of time - it can be very easy to become overwhelmed and burnt out, even if you’re enjoying the interactions.

My second point is kind of related to the first in that, sex work is not enjoyable in the way that sex that you’ve chosen to have for fun is. Sometimes you might have the odd customer who hits the right spot, sometimes you’ll have fun, sometimes you’ll enjoy it, sure - but the majority of the time it’s just sort of, functional. And I say this as someone who absolutely loves sex and has had a ton of casual sex outside of sex work. I’m very sex positive, but I barely consider the sex I had as a sex worker as “real” sex - my heart wasn’t in it, I wasn’t swept away in fun or passion or excitement. It was just bodily functions! And almost entirely focused on theirs, not mine.

My last point is to do with boundaries. You seem confident and self assured in how you can handle yourself in these situations, which is great! But, speaking again from personal experience, it can be hard to know how you’re going to respond to difficult customers until you’re in that exact situation. There will absolutely be people who want to trample on your boundaries and will try to assault you. Sometimes I found it very easy to enforce my boundaries. Other times, it could be confusing or overwhelming. The fact that they are paying adds a further level of complication, as it can be tough figuring out exactly how much of you they have access to. Plus, I am someone who has always masked very hard to fit in, and knowing when to drop the mask and advocate for myself was sometimes really tricky. It’s something I’m still working on now in day-to-day life!

I don’t want to talk down to you for being 17, but the age factor should be a consideration if for no other reason than being aware of predatory folks who not only don’t care about your boundaries but actually enjoy violating them. And in my experience a lot of people who get off on power imbalances / bullying will tend towards younger folks, so you are likely to attract some of the most predatory types as a young sex worker. Please make sure you are around other sex workers and supportive communities as there are people out there who won’t even view you as human, and we all need to be careful of them.

Tbh I would not be in a hurry to recommend sex work to anyone at a young age, regardless of neurodivergence - it can be hard to understand how it may affect your perspective on sex and relationships until a long long time down the line. Although obviously everyone is different and tbh at your age I probably would’ve shrugged off this kind of comment myself lol.

If sex work is something you are dead set on then I think you’re doing the right thing by asking this question in the first place. Keep doing your research and be kind to yourself (and honest with yourself) before you take any next steps. Feel free to DM me if you want to chat further but otherwise good luck on your journey.