Autism and self advcacy class

Post Reply New Topic

I have Asperger's Syndrome and I work part-time and happen to have a job coach that advocates for me so that I may keep my job. However, she has proven to me that is not advocate material and has called me names like little Miss Priss. I have worked with her for 7 years and she doesn't listen to me or let alone stand up for me when asked. So, I was talking to someone who was telling me that I needed an advocate who can help me find out the name of the company who is funding this work program and see if they can get me a different coach. However, I fought with her and said that I really feel that I should be taking self-advocacy classes myself and learning how to get what I need in order to hold onto and keep my job.

If anyone lives here in the Atlanta area, is there a self-advocacy class that you recommend?

Sorry Miyah I live in Central FL and have the devil of a time trying to find a competent and affordable Doc to dx me and haven't found anything such as advocacy classes.

Sorry. I wish I could help, too.
All I can say is that you absolutely need to ditch that coach.

Yes but I want to do it in a professional manner without hurting myself.

Hi Miyah. Self advocacy is a gamble. It is not unusual for employees to suffer lose even when their self advocacy is done in the most professional manner. Professionalism is good but it's not magic. Employers simply tend to resent complaints. I'm not saying you should not do it. I want you to understand and take into account the risk involved.

Your coach may very well be unsuited, incompetant, unmotivated, or whatever. But it may be the case that her presence, in itself, acts as job protection for you.

I hope I am not being too nosy but,

What do you use an advocate for. Why do you need one?