Aspergers and unemployment

Post Reply New Topic

That's what I found too. My two previous jobs had a 45 hr work week and it was absolute torture. Granted, nobody went home smiling but I never understood how everyone else could do it without complaint: I was almost unable to walk by the end of the day. I now do 35 hr weeks and it's MUCH easier to deal with! Glad to see other Aspies having the same issues.

I also found cashier work to be INCREDIBLY exhausting. Even part time I used to collapse on the floor after my shift (at home that is). I now understand that I'm just very introverted but didn't know it at the time.

I have managed to be on and off consultant and employee. I'm trying to get back into consulting and in the process found this organization, which tries to educate employers on how to provide for us. I thought all of you might find it of use asperger-employmentdotorg/

I have struggled with employment my whole life...since I graduated college 10 years ago, I have made a living wage in a skilled profession for 2.5 years cumulative (at two different jobs). The rest have all been part-time, semi-skilled work. This has mostly been for two reasons...the first being it's difficult to get past the interview in a competitive employment scenario, because I can't process and make convincingly natural eye contact at the same time. The second problem is maintaining a 40 hour workweek while keeping up an NT facade. I usually only last 18 months in a job.

Whenever I have had full-time work, I have struggled mightily. It is exceedingly difficult for me to handle a 40 hour workweek. I'm currently a teacher, and though I love my job, I am exhausted. My psychologist, who specializes in autism, basically told me I should prioritize "preserving my function" for work, which basically means laying around when I get home every night so I'm able to go back the next day. So the price of being able to work full time, for me, is literally not being able to do ANYTHING else during the week (I limit myself to 30 minutes a day of chores or errands after work, and I'm a single mom so that is nowhere near enough to even make a dent in what I need to do) and limiting my weekend activities to about 2-4 hours each day so that I can devote my energy to work. My poor son doesn't understand why Mommy doesn't have the energy to play with him half the time, and I feel horrible. Even with all that, I'm told I function extremely well compared to most with AS. So 80% seems about right. It's tough out there for Aspies.

I have never seen any statistics about people with AS, but I wouldn't be surprised that 80% are unemployed because I myself find it so hard and stressful working/finding a job.

I do have a job, but it's far below my capability. I feel very frustrated that I can't fully utilize my intelligence.

I believe that having AS makes it extremely stressful just to have to work with other people because wherever there are people, they will judge and ostracize whoever is different, which causes unnecessary stress to the victim.

Also, being disliked by others makes it harder to progress into a better position. People who don't like you personally will try to talk badly even about your work. That's what's happening to me at work. Even if you do a good job, people only want to talk about you negatively or try to see only negative side of you, being totally blind to your strengths. So it looks as if you are not as competent as you actually are.

Another factor that makes it hard for people for AS is the job interview. You need to give a good impression to your potential employer within a limited amount of time. It's very difficult for people with AS to do that. People with AS usually look rather aloof/unpleasant. In addition many people with AS are not good liars. Well, I certainly am not. I end up telling all my weaknesses to my interviewers.

I'm sure there are more issues other than what I mentioned that make it difficult for people with AS to get/keep a job. IMO the social factor is the biggest issue.

wow this description completely nails my problems with regard to work perfectly! well said mate.

Do NTs think we are lazy since we often aren´t able to get a job or to do the work properly?

Yes, before I knew about Aspergers I did a radio interview about my struggles finding employment despite having rock solid credentials. There was a HUGE firestorm of callers in response and while some fellow young grads called up to agree with me, a number of people questioned my story and said outright I must be lazy or have skeletons in the closet because it's IMPOSSIBLE for someone like me not to have multiple job offers.

It's incredible how I'm considered lazy because I refused a commissioned telemarketing job. I'm terrified of phone calls, can't up sell worth a damn, avoid confrontation and when someone yells at me I get nightmares for a week. How the heck could I do that type of work? I did find a job three years later, but while the pay is good and I enjoy it it's ridiculously easy and well below my qualifications (I'm typing this at my desk during work time) and I have been told my countless people I should be making double what I am now. Sucks being intelligent and being the superior candidate but to be perceived as lazy and stupid because I can't wow people at a 30 minute interview. How many times have I been turned down for a dream position in favor of a smooth talker who proceeds to run that position into the ground?

Yes. I know people think I am so smart and nice, and conclude that the only reason I struggle to find work is that I mustn't want to. NOT TRUE!!
I tried a telemarketing job once, thinking 'you don't know until you try it' and I HATED IT for all the same reasons GiantHocketFan outlined.
Interviews - if I manage to get to them, are always like being lost in a maze. I never knew what the bleep they meant by 'must be team player' and when they asked, I tried different responses over the years and now think I was always way off base (never got the job, for a start) Now I think it means 'can play the game' - WELL I CAN'T.

I'm crap at lying, don't want to, and often have to ask them to clarify the question, which makes me look stupid.

They leave me feeling so hopeless, frustrated, and depressed.

I have no idea if I will be able to find a job after I graduate, but I might try an agency, so I will get short jobs here and there and take a break if I need to. Also not get much chance to get into hot water with people.

I often consider suicide as my solution if I can't get one, as we are in so much debt and are counting on me working after I graduate. But I can't leave my kids.
Guess I better buy a lotto ticket.

Sorry to hear about your troubles: I can relate all do well even living at home with no commitments at the time. Short term jobs are usually not a good idea but for an aspie, I HIGHLY recommend them. I know we at work stopped using 'temps' because 90% of them were on drugs, drank on the job, didn't follow basic safety rules or tried to take over on the first day. We found one decent guy and would have offered a chance at full time work if he wasn't moving away.

Stories like yours and mine don't make the TV news when we hear about 'lazy' poor people.

I have had extreme trouble finding employment, but shine in my area once finding the job. But both time since college i had stayed there long term but got laid off. First layoff was due to a reorg and an outsider who did not know me made that decision after a short talk through which i later realized was me interviewing for my own job. Then the last one was a company-wide layoff in which the company closed shortly afterward.

Now i am in a position where i can't even get into an interview. Either they expect me to have extensive manager experience with my years of experience, needless to say i am not a people person and shine while just doing my part of the task. Or they consider me overqualified when applying for a position more suited for me, no management but they only want those with minimal experience. Not to mention that every position i see for engineering positions state that excellent or outstanding written and oral communication and team player skills are required. I apply for those anyway as i suspect that is just boilerplate for job ads.

Yes the same thing goes through my mind.

Not sure what the exact number is, but I could certainly see why people with autism/aspergers might struggle with employment. I know I do but I have a bit more on my plate than aspergers alone, but that certainly is a factor. I don't have the right social skills and am not 'likeable' enough to make those job connections or whatever......then aside from that I end up working too slow, can't keep up have trouble remembering directions or all of what I am supposed to do and stuff like that.

It is a very depressing matter. Employers seem to think that people on the spectrum are stupid and so can't work. That's the thing about ASDs, especially Asperger's. People just aren't educated about it enough. We are just put in the ''you must take part in normal society'' group, but then get treated like we can't work or do anything. Such a shame, and gives me yet another reason to resent having Asperger's so much.

I've finally got a job now, after 4 long years. And I only got it because I knew somebody who worked there, and she put in a good word for me. I only do part-time though, which is just right for me. And no, it's not due to laziness. In my spare time I like to do volunteering, especially on Sundays. But I often worry about a day coming where I'm put in a situation where I have to work full time, and when I tell people this, they're like ''well other people have to, some haven't always got the choice''. Sigh. I just don't know what to say to that.

Another thing (that I've been told by immigrants is VERY prevalent in this part of Canada) is networking. Most non-entry level jobs require connections and as Aspies, we usually have few "friends" and can't kiss someone's butt to try and get a job from it. It's all in who you know and sadly, we ASD folks don't know too many people on average. That's probably the single biggest thing holding me back. Unfortunately, the ones who would be good network candidates are those who like me in my current position because I'm so good at it.

In fact, if it wasn't for knowing people through hockey, I would likely STILL be working minimum wage jobs if I didn't move out west first.

Yes, I absolutely agree. I have no connection at all. There is no way I can get a job through other people. I can't become close enough to people for that to happen. I imagine many of us with AS/autism are experiencing the same. I think it's a significant contributor to our inability to get a job.

Another issue is that it seems its not enough to just go to work and do your job. Employers expect you to join in and be part of the social life of all your colleagues. So if you cannot participate in banter and gossip then you are seen as not a team player and they seem to think that means you are not doing your job! It is beyond belief.

If we could just go to work and do our jobs without anyone moaning that we don't fit in then aspies would not be predominantly out of work.