Classic Autism and Working.

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I have classic autism (as confirmed by two separate professionals) and I am at university studying pharmacology. I have a full time support worker there as I cannot cope on my own at all. I am part time.

I would like to work after my course, but my autism presents as episodes of severe challenging behaviour, communications difficulties, constant stimming / rocking, severe social difficulties and severe sensory challenges. I am aware that working will not be easy.

(I live in the UK so the Equality Act 2010 would apply in my case)

I am thinking of working for myself, with a LOT of help from my friend (who has Asperger's) and support workers.

I am very intelligent, I just have a lot of challenges.

I am scared of the idea of applying for jobs and working for someone else as I've only had bad experiences with voluntary work. I have been fired twice for meltdowns, and I have been called things like "a health and safety hazard" or, once "a total psycho".

What is your advice?

Your best bet might be doing things online (with your Asperger's friend).

Or some sort of online job involving typing or editing, or perhaps even as an online travel agent.

Or maybe as a research assistant for people doing research on drugs.

Or maybe you should go for your Master's in Pharmacology.

University has been a bad experience. Online work or research assistant could work well.

As one gets higher and higher on the academic ladder, there's usually more tolerance for difference (i.e.,for things like autism). As long as you share the opinions of your academic advisor, you should probably do okay in Grad School.

Have you been able to win the esteem of any professor in your undergrad program? Maybe this person could write two reference letters for you--one covering a Master's program, the other a job.

True. Graduate school attracts me if I can study neuropsychiatry or similar. My tutor hates me and so does the course organiser. But maybe another tutor I know from a practical might like me.

Heya,

Why do you choose the term 'classic autism'? I've not come across someone who self identifies that way before so it's super interesting.

More on topic, have you considered approaching boots? I happen to know they have a very very good diversity team and they might be willing to offer you a work placement.

Another option may be waitrose. They also have a strong record in diversity.

Finally, there are a few schemes like access to work. They can help with providing accsessbile travel options.

I need lots of support too, I work for the BBC.

Hope that helps,

Jamie + Lion

I don't doubt it will be difficult but I think it would be possible.

Have you seen Tourettes Hero's blog? At the moment she's working on performance stuff, but prior to that she worked in childcare in an adventure park. While her difficulties are quite different to yours, she has 24 hour support and is in a wheelchair (she had to get a special one for muddy terrain through access to work). (She doesn't have challenging behaviour in the way auties might, but she does have ticking fits that can make her hit out, injure herself or choke.)

I was considering academia and I was told by my wife's friend who is a researcher that the faculty don't care how your work gets done (with regards to say, sitting on an exercise ball) as long as it did.

I think I would want a non-teaching PhD if I went down that route.

Anyway, I've got a bit off topic - my point was that careers are possible even with very high support needs if you can find the right employer.

Another option if you can't work or are working towards a position might be volunteer or very small hours work while on ESA but I don't know how hard it would be to get funding for support for volunteering.

I have to be honest and share a bit of my experience.
I got an adult diagnosis for ASD a few years ago and I was told I was on the Aspergers part of the spectrum.

I have only ever worked manual jobs and from 17 until I was 23 was fired over and over again.
For 23 until 37 I worked in the one job but I was hated by co workers and I was bullied until that job closed down.

From 38 until I was 41 I got another job and I learned how to get on with people for the most part but it was not easy that job closed down also.

At the moment I am getting casual work and I can not depend on it.
I have a full weeks work this week last week no work two full weeks before that and next week who knows.

I live across the water in Ireland so the culture is very similar to the UK.

Your Autism is not your fault but I will be honest with you this paragraph does not look good for you.

Thanks. I have a lot of support from support workers, various teams, and my mum is my carer. I don't think I'll get a job beyond supported employment. I just want to do something with my life. I'm really smart. Don't want to see it wasted. Not much of a choice though.

Thanks.

I agree that it would be a good idea for you to try to work online instead of at a traditional type of job. More and more people are working from home nowadays. Even those with office jobs can sometimes do their work from home on some days.

As you said, it would be better if you were able to use your intelligence if possible. I think that you should at least try because you have something to offer, even though you have a lot of challenges to overcome.

Finally someone that's not calling themselves an "aspie".