Lost job due to aspie'ishness.

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We where all getting laid off anyway. But I put some ear plugs in to reduce stress I was feeling from the job. Management took this badly because they thought I couldn't hear them - even tho I could. But I actually just didn't hear them call on my name because I was distracted by them telling us to turn a page.

So, due to earplugs I was yelled at twice, which increased stress.. leading to a total panic/anxiety attack complete with shaking, crying, etc. No apparent reason for any of my reaction, but management handled it all wrong (calling me out angrily in front of everyone after yelling at me in front of everyone). I lucked out because I happened to be doing a task with a guy who actually has issues with anxiety and such due to a lot of factors in his life (and is taking meds). I think he realized what was happening and didn't mention it - and my face was hidden a couple hours so it was relatively ok...

Horrible day, and they laid me off asap for the offense. Overall I feel upset from the incident, not angry but upset.

Anyone have an opinion? I know having ear plugs in at that exact moment may have been stupid but if I could hear them I didn't see an issue. They tend to block the louder sounds and I find it easier to understand people with them in.

You probably shouldn't have put those in your ears cause you might not be able to hear someone who wasn't talking very loud.

True, that seems to be the common response. But they usually don't talk quiet - except for when they called my name, lol. He actually looked down and said my name then looked towards us and said please read from the top. No one heard my name. And I just asked if he had called my name - but by the time I finished asking there was yelling. *cough*

I only wear ear plugs if I'm doing something in which there is a real danger of permanent hearing damage. Or if I'm trying to sleep somewhere very noisy. I wore some a few weeks ago at an "Ice Cube" rap concert I went to. A lot of other people weren't for some reason though.

Earplugs not a good option, they also shouldn't have been quite so rude to you, but in all fairness if they didn't know you were ASD they were within their rights to fire you in all fairness.

Yes, they where in the right.. I just thought it may be helpful to rant slightly and get an opinion. I've actually never had a anxiety attack of that caliber while working. I do have one about once a year but never while in a critical moment since usually I can handle my own. If I would have let on I was having one it would have had substantial repercussions and I would have been carted off to a medical building on site, lol...

The funny thing is the only reason they called on me was because my reading had impressed the person that was there (to sit in on our meeting once again). They specifically called on me then specifically yelled at me.... I've seen them do it more than once, the guy in question seemed to like me so they where trying to use me as a go-to guy.

You weren't in the wrong for wearing the earplugs, just unfortunate it went down that way
*hugs*

Ty ty.

Condolences.
Did you ever speak with Human Resources? (Usually it's required if you are let go)
Is your AS documented? They might need to have made accommodations for you.

Documented most likely since I am DX'ed by a doc, but the type of work I do is temporary. My benefits permanent, but its job to job. Human resources usually doesn't exist in the profession on a level comparable to most jobs but I choose not to mention it because I come off as weird/slightly crazy but I'm usually accepted.

Basically I'm unsure if it would be helpful to speak of it, since my job is temporary if they have to make concessions for me then it would be problematic and I would become "laid off" quicker. In this case I would have found it helpful if I could tell the truth, but instead I just said I was having a ear problem and had them in because of that - but I could hear fine.

I can't stand the whole hierarchical attitudes of the workplace. People take it too seriously and try to impose authority.
No real advice though and I'm not sure if this is related but whateva