implications that you can't do your job

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Ellienad
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26 Apr 2013, 5:42 am

i work as a support worker for adults with learning disabilities. i didn't disclose that i had Asperger's; i just disclosed that i had general mental health problems, which i did. I am able to work quite easily with the people with learning disabilities and sometimes do so in apparently creative ways, which is great. however, i have problems with my colleagues and sometimes with competency assessments etc. i find it difficult to answer questions that are set up for a particular answer if i don't know what that answer is supposed to be.
i do tend to take things literally, so i am always getting into trouble. if someone asks me to 'get a pen', i will get a pen. Apparently 'get me a pen' also includes fetching paper.
they used to ask, ''are you autistic or something?''. i think they have now come to that conclusion. with that conclusion comes implication that i am incapable of working with people with learning disabilities. because of the way i have been treated, i am becomingly increasingly anxious when at work and, of course, this is unprofessional in this sort of job. therefore, they say, i am incapable of working as a support worker.
it also seems that the job description is written as some form of political correctness, and there are socially acceptable ways of doing the job. obviously, i miss a lot of these, and simply see such behaviour as 'bad practice'. apparently, that is annoying to everyone else and they think there is something wrong with me for wanting to follow the ethical and government guidelines which tell us how to work.
anyone else having these sort of problems? do you think it's because i didn't disclose from the beginning?



BTDT
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26 Apr 2013, 6:51 am

I handle this problem my treating "NT speak" as a second language, and make translations as needed.

Thus, "get a pencil"

really means "get a functional writing instrument and something to write on."

I don't think your disclosure has anything to do with this--NTs normally talk this way to everyone. In fact, I'd advise spending more time listening to NTs interact, whenever you have the opportunity--as part of your on the job training.



Ellienad
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26 Apr 2013, 7:18 am

thanks, that's good advice. i do try to, but i give up quickly. my pessimistic attitude says that if i brought them paper, they'd say ''i only asked for a pen''. but i suppose if others can do it, i can too :)



catwhisperer
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26 Apr 2013, 9:48 pm

I don't see anything wrong in how you're doing your job. And if they are also working with people who have developmental disabilities then there shouldn't be a problem should there...? But then I often feel they judge and set us up. If they want a pen and paper then shoudlt they specify both?? So we are supposed to read their minds? If they ask for a glass of water are we supposed to assume they want a bagel too or something else?? I'm sorry but I'm very literal minded and can't understand it either.



androbot2084
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26 Apr 2013, 11:01 pm

I was at a job and the bosses did not allow food at the monthly meetings. So I brought a cup of coffee and thought nothing of it. After almost getting fired I realized that even though drink was not forbidden the fact was that no one was drinking at the meetings so it was as if i disobeyed a direct order. If a neurotypical wanted to drink coffee he would have made sure everyone else was drinking.



Gazelle
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26 Apr 2013, 11:05 pm

It sounds like you are doing your job fine and if you pass the competency tests then there should not be a problem. Yes I would just get a pen also if someone asked me for a pen. That seems rather lame to me, if the person wants paper as well then they should ask for it. Just saying.


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androbot2084
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26 Apr 2013, 11:09 pm

If a person wants paper you are expected to read their mind.



Gazelle
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26 Apr 2013, 11:10 pm

I would like to be able to read minds, I mean literally read minds. :wink:


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managertina
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27 Apr 2013, 11:05 pm

Hey there,

Whatever you do, do not let your bosses or coworkers get you down. I went through eight months of being told that I could not do my job when the job that was posted was not the job in reality. For me, it was as though I was in a living hell. A kind compliment would have gone a long way in such circumstances.

In that view, when you have competency assessments, prepare a list of the awesome things that you have done. Only disclose AS if you need to, according to my job coach.

I have also let my new supervisor know that I am somewhat of a literalist. And that I tend to take instructions a bit literally, and that all it requires is a bit of clarification, and I am a lower level manager now. I have also told people that I find sarcasm a bit difficult to detect.

Oh, and about that paper and pen business, maybe you can say 'anything else I can get for you while I am at it?'