When to consider disability?

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I would say I can function well enough to have a job where.. if it was very limited interaction and very, very consistent but not boring.. I could do it, but I can't deal with the social/customer aspects or the unpredictability of all the jobs I've had. I can't really function well at home, but I have improved.. But things are just still very difficult and stressful for me to attend to.

I often just think of what I could just be doing wrong. Like am I just being lazy or am I really trying hard enough to appease customers and other people around me? Why can't I just do better, even though it could potentially hurt me if I do try my hardest to do what people expect/want me to do, I still wish I could do things right.

When should a person on the spectrum consider disability?

When you have a history of at least two job failures (losing a job) and these are related to your diagnosed condition.

All the jobs I have lost have been purely due to the resulting social issues and functioning issues that I have, I've had four jobs in my life so far. I still have one, but it's really starting to cause me a lot of distress due to constant changes in management and what is and isn't required of me.. and the sorts.

I honestly can't really survive on a part-time job that pays so little, but I'm doing all I can to stay afloat in this job.. I've tried two part-time jobs, it doesn't work very well.

I'd like to be able to work but not have to depend on a job that stresses me out to the point of getting ill, mentally and physically, and still be able to live a rather comfortable life style without fear of financial issues.

To get social security disability (SSDI) or supplemental security income (SSI) you must demonstrate you can't work. If you currently do work, they are likely to say "you are able to work, hence, no award." If you are laid off or fired, but only once, they'll reject you immediately unless you have a listed diagnosis that automatically qualifies you. One example would be schizophrenia, another would be quadriplegia.

For me it happened when I lost my job, and couldn't find another one. That was during the recession about five years ago. My depression just got way too severe and I couldn't even continue looking for a job. So I ended up getting mental health counseling. That was also when I got my diagnosis for ASD. Since I couldn't look for work, the only thing left to do was apply for SSDI.

I have to say that it was the best thing that ever happened to me. Now I have a little less income, but it's guaranteed income, and I have a subsidized apartment, and food stamps. Best of all I don't have all the stress of finding and maintaining a job. Which lowers my anxiety level greatly.

Good for you, OregonGuy. That's how our system is supposed to work. (Doesn't always, though.)