What would casue this strange behaviour?

I work with a guy who is really really strange. He is 18. We work in customer service and customers avoid him because of his behaviour.

1. He is almost like a perfectionist but to the point where it annoys people.
2. He tried too hard to please customers.
3. He cant stop talking, to the point where he will say anything to anyone explaining everything he is doing.
4. I know he was in a special learning program in school.
5. He is socially awkward, has no friends or social life, almost to the point where he has isolated himself from everything except work.
6. We try to be nice to him but the only way to explain him is annoying.
7. He has done this job for almost 2 years and still asks soooo many questions that arent important.
8. If he doesnt like something he say "of course, that job will be done right away" and then turn his back and mutter under his breath.

I know these things dont mean something is wrong, but all the time ????

Im thinking maybe a level of autism??

You hit it on the head with him being socially awkward. Some people, no matter how old they are, cannot interract with other people. Strange that he is in the customer service field don't you think? He probably has very low self esteem, which would account for the trying so hard to please others and asking questions that do not pertain to anything. Some people just don't know how to fit in. They think if they ask a million questions that you will feel pity or you will try to befriend them. Yes, it is very annoying. You say he was in a special learning school. He may be a slow learner or have a slight level or retardation. Autism maybe it also, but you won't know unless he is checked for it and I'm sure if he was, you'd know about it already. Try to interact as little as possible if he is that annoying or try to be his friend and find out what is going on with him.

He could be on the borderline of mental retardation. He obviously has a problem, so just try and be nice and cut him some slack.

He could just be a social outcast. Maybe he was neglected as a child and did not learn how to interact with people.

Does he have any ticks? Like a facial twitch or anything like that? Sometimes Turrets syndrome can cause someone to appear like they have a mild case of autism. Turrets syndrome covers much more than just uncontrollable cussing - that is only the most severe cases. Mild cases of Turrets are quite common, and usually manifest in ticks like that, and come with some behavioral issues as well.

Also, he could just have a mild case of OCD (obsessive compulsive disorder). Like "Monk"... which would make all of those behaviors you described out of his control.

1 and 2 suggests a possible obsessive compulsive disorder
3 and 7 might just be a character trait
for 4, what type of special learning program?
5 he might be a shy kinda guy
8 he might just hate the job xD

It sounds like he has a personality disorder of some kind and has not been socialized very well. Some people just can't pick up on social cues, like annoying someone. They just don't get it. Continue to try and be patient with him.

It almost sounds like obsessive/compulsive disorder, read this article from WebMD because some of the things you mentioned are in the list of symptoms of obsessions/compulsions.

http://www.webmd.com/anxiety-panic/guide...

I hope this helps you out. I work in the mental health field also so I recognized some of the things you mentioned.

Yes...it can definitely be a form of Autisim. Certainly sounds like it....
However, if he's been at the job for two years, the bosses must like his work, or he wouldn't still be there.
Just try to understand that his behavior is most likely the cause of some circumstance of which he had NO control. Some medicines (like those for schizophrenia) can cause similar behavior.
Smile and try to be friendly. He could probably use a friend or two! If he scares off customers, that's one thing...but if he's just a little anoying to you and your co-workers....I would keep my mouth "shut" and learn to get along. EVERY workplace is going to have one (or more!) people who may get on your nerves....whether they are "handicapped" or not...
That's just life...