What aspects of autism can effect a persons ability to work?

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I have my ESA (disability benefits) appeal in January and I'm terrified of it not going well, I'm attempting to get an advocate but I don't think I have enough time. There's a worry that I'll not be able to explain myself, I'll go non-verbal or have a meltdown during the appeal so I'll not be able to state my case for keeping my benefits...so I'm thinking of writing down all my problems.

Obviously I know my problems better than you lot do, but I'm looking for GENERAL problems people with autism may have when attempting to work, just so I have a nice little check-list to see what applies to me or not, and from that I can make sure I write a thorough list.

So for example;
Executive functioning, may make it hard to get ready for work.
Sensory issues, may make working in certain environments difficult.
Sleeping problems, may effect ability to get up and function.
Meltdowns...
Anxiety...
Non-verbal...
Etc.

Issues with social interaction...could be an issue with a lot of jobs. Especially if it has anything to do with customer service or any interaction really.

Many NTs tend to give Aspies vague instructions, then expect Aspies to figure these instructions out through "common sense", whatever it is. When Aspies ask NTs to clarify, sometimes, NTs get angry because they assume that Aspies are asking them the obvious.

Have you looked at the descriptors to see which ones you meet? I met 2 for the support group based on my ASD alone.

Regarding sensory issues - ignoring hearing and sight impairment, there seems to be nothing for sensory issues in ESA. Yet, being hypersensitive is pretty painful.

Social interaction problems and trouble disconnecting from special interests long enoung to actually do your job.

I lucked into my job during a time of low unemployment when a college acquaintance recommended me. It's very boring but I'm afraid to quit because I really don't interview well. To alleviate the boreom, I used to bring my knitting to work for little "brain breaks", but I got SPOKEN TO about it.

Do you have any evidence of the problems you have in regards to working? I sent a few letters from my GP, ENT and psychiatrist. I also argued why a return to work would be impossible.

My GP was contacted, I was put into the support group with no medical.

Sensory issues are big problem for me. In all standard work environments, there are lights, noises, and people. These are all bad for me. I need something like a small dim quiet closet.

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5oXCm4N3J_M[/youtube]

Generally interviews go like that.

In addition to what others have mentioned...

Having enough people dislike you in a group that the atmosphere becomes intolerable. Even one person.

Of course, this happens to NTs as well, but usually they have a rich enough social network that negative interactions with one person don't matter as much.

+1 on the vague instructions/directions. That gets me all the time. Memory could be another one, also inactivity due to second guessing oneself on how to go about working on something, or how to word what you want to say to NT's so you don't sound 'weird' to them.

I have problems organising stuff plus relating to customers or dealing with stressful situations

Do you actually meet the criteria for ESA? It's not enough to say "this affects me" if it's not part of the criteria.

All the aforementioned.

Making the boss feel good is more important than doing a good job. Can't get my head around that.

If I do everything I'm asked, in good time, no mistakes, my reward will be to be given the work of the NTs who spent the time chatting instead. Then who does the boss value? The ones who are social of course.

I don't make the decision to leave, because I am chronically bad at making the right decision, ever, I worry they might dislike me enough to give a bad reference and I'm not great with change.

Way you process information.

Working memory.

How your mind works like you may not be able to remember how to do something of it's not part of your routine so they can't just show you how to do it and then expect you to remember it two months later when you have to do that all of a sudden.

Tenancy to take things literal and not being able to connect the dots or read between the lines (appearing to lack common sense)

Difficulty with change and needing a routine to function better

Not being able to remember something after being told to do it later so it would have to be now unless they can remind you which they usually refuse to do

Failure to ask questions

Not understanding personal space or have personal space issues (eg. people being in their personal space which their bubble may be at least five feet or the whole room so they feel invaded if someone is in the room or is standing at least five feet away)

Not smiling


All these things I listed I struggled with at work over the years minus the personal space issue. Some have gotten better. I am more flexible at work and I don't freak out or meltdown anymore. In fact it doesn't bother me when my boss decides to change my job or add tasks to it or telling me do to my job different now all of a sudden but anything else that disrupts it, I have a hard time with but I have gotten better with it every time because I came up with coping strategies. People also don't ask me anymore what is wrong so I must have changed something about my face and I have learned personal space, I make sure I am standing an arm length or more away and I try hard to remember and do good most of the time.