Why do I need a support worker

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Someone in this supported housing said "how bad is your autism? Why do you need a support worker at university with you all the time?"

[I told him I have autism because he doesn't know what Asperger's is and AS is an ASD anyway]

I told him I'd think about the answer.

What should I say back to him?

I need a full-time support worker because I get meltdowns on a daily basis and I get selective mutism at university. Also I get disorientated easily when stressed (I'm very often stressed at uni).

But I don't know how to explain that to him when all he knows about autism is Rain Man.

How severe is my AS in your opinion?

I hate this supported house. I cannot understand the people here and communication confuses me.

One of them said I'm weird.

My dad said I'm weird.

if they don't get autism, they probably won't understand selective mutism either.

well, when i applied for disability here in the states, i actually almost got ruled out because my application was so well done, detailed,complete, organized, etc. fortunately i was given the opportunity to explain.

i told the disability worker that although i can be very high functioning, it comes at a huge cost and i can't keep it up, and when i get tired i become completely the opposite -- can't do anything, let alone organize or be productive or think clearly.

i mention this only to illustrate that i was able to explain that i could be high functioning in certain areas, but not all areas and never all the time. that i have to pick and choose where to focus my energy and attention and "budget" myself accordingly. therefore i need help in other areas.

but it's hard for other people to understand how someone can be smart academically and deficient in others.

it's also possible this fellow sees you going to school, is perhaps jealous and is taking his jealousy out on you in a passive-aggressive way. if that is the case, no explanation will be sufficient. but, maybe he just really wants to understand.

sometimes it helps for me to offer people a concrete example. either an analogy, or a concrete example from your own life; such as "well it's like this. yesterday i went to school. i really liked my classes and was able to listen and participate. i'm just really good at that. but then i had to go do X, which i am just terrible at. it felt like XYZ (or looked like, sounded like, whatever). when i have to do X, i need help. just because i am really good at one thing, doesn't mean i'm really good at EVERY thing."

i dunno, how does that sound to you?

That has really helped.

I will try what you said.

And the passive-aggressive, yes I think he may be, as he is currently spending his days smoking cigarettes.

So I guess there's no point trying to make him understand autism and selective mutism.