Which job sectors do people work in ?

I've previously worked as a laboratory assistant (enjoyed it, but was only for maternity leave cover for 3 months), then as a medical technician, but since starting a family have only managed shift work. I've been a bakers assistant, school dinner lady, and was a night carer in a care home for people with dementia, but am now a domestic.I don't like where I am all that much, morale is generally low and staff turnover high, but I'm managing.

I've thought of looking for work caring for people with disabilities, but ironically now I am self diagnosed with Asperger's I'm more worried about job interviews than I used to be when I was living in ignorance. Everything I look at expects good communication skills and teamwork.

Would it be worth mentioning at interview, especially as it isn't official, or would it count against me? If you don't mind me asking, did you find it challenging to get the job you have now, and do you find autism to be a plus or a minus? (Not just at interview, but in the job itself.)

I've previously worked as a laboratory assistant (enjoyed it, but was only for maternity leave cover for 3 months), then as a medical technician, but since starting a family have only managed shift work. I've been a bakers assistant, school dinner lady, and was a night carer in a care home for people with dementia, but am now a domestic.I don't like where I am all that much, morale is generally low and staff turnover high, but I'm managing.

I've thought of looking for work caring for people with disabilities, but ironically now I am self diagnosed with Asperger's I'm more worried about job interviews than I used to be when I was living in ignorance. Everything I look at expects good communication skills and teamwork.

Would it be worth mentioning at interview, especially as it isn't official, or would it count against me? If you don't mind me asking, did you find it challenging to get the job you have now, and do you find autism to be a plus or a minus? (Not just at interview, but in the job itself.)

I currently don't have a diagnosis (hence my forum name) and it's only since the start of May that I've seriously considered that I may be on the spectrum. Information gathering at this point and considering self funding a private assessment. I think that I fit a more subtle presentation of ASC and as a woman (from what I've read in this forum) it sounds as though I'd need to strongly argue my case to be referred on the NHS, let alone be assessed by someone experienced and sensitive enough to detect a more subtle (and female) presentation. 

A quick Google of the local authority uncovers no clear diagnostic pathway for (non-learning disabled) adults with suspected ASC, only a document dated 2011 stating that there is a clear need for one (!). 

I've had my current job for over 8 years and it's been the best one I've had to date. I've had quite a few 'false starts' career-wise, and a lot of time spent feeling lost. I've been bullied in previous jobs and a little bit at the start of this one too, but have found my (skillset) niche which makes me valuable (ha, ha!). 

I don't interview well and experience high levels of performance anxiety. This is an area I need to work on. A disastrous interview at the start of May actually triggered me to join this forum and start info gathering for a referral. 

There's a lot of social contact in my current role, noise & it's a busy environment. Lots of interruptions, loud conversations and complaining - much of it from other staff. All of this is very tiring. I've worked out that if I spend a bit of time chatting with service users (adults with learning disabilities) I can re-energise a bit. They tend to be more transparent and direct in their communication, more present in the moment than other staff so I think this may be why. Listening to music and spending lunch by myself also helps.

The job is very interesting and I've never been bored. My self-esteem and sense of capability have developed a lot in the past 8 years and I have a sense of purpose and direction. This compensates for the other bits, though I wish I had more energy for myself in the evenings and didn't use the majority of my weekend to recuperate. 

Misheard Lyrics

Short answer:

• Being on the spectrum shouldn't prevent you from working in social care and /or with people with disabilities. 
• Autism has some advantages in the workplace and can give you insight that NT's lack. 
• Disclosure is a personal decision and can be done at any point. 
• Don't be put off from applying for roles by recruitment jargon or qualities you feel you currently lack 
• Study social skill areas that would be useful to develop to gain an understanding of how they work and why they may be important. 
• Team working tends to share some common skills and have additional specialisation. Teams are 'more than the sum of their parts'.
• Specialise where possible especially in future demand skill areas.  

FYI. - Longer 'waffly' answer further down(!). 

Hi OrinocoFlo, the question of whether I would tell potential employers about my autism or not, is kind of taken out of my hands, because I seem to have developed an almost Tourette’s type syndrome, whenever I come into contact with somebody ~ it just comes out, without warning, I tell everybody I’m autistic! 

However, here are my thoughts. I think we should be telling people, every step of the way, of our diagnosis. For many reasons. One, is that society needs to know that we’re here and the more voices we have, the stronger our voice becomes. 

However, we are all individuals and we are all at different stages in life and I would never advice anyone to tell their potential employers that they are autistic. It’s totally individual and of course, it can have consequences. However, I would strongly advice that if a person is unsure, they ask other people what they think, then get some support to weigh up the information before they act. Support is out there and sometimes we need to reach out and try it. 

In the type of role you’re considering, your communication style would be considered an advantage, in an open and supportive environment  and there are many reasons why we make good team players. We don’t gossip, we tend to be naturally non judgemental, we want the best for others and we are often loyal, committed, honest and diligent  workers. Getting support from an organisation such as Autism Plus or NAS can be a great benefit to help us get the right jobs with the right support while putting our gifts and skills to good use. You don’t have to ‘manage’, you’re worth far more than that. If you fancy getting a job that you enjoy, in a place where you feel supported, where it doesn’t feel like a chore, I would strongly suggest getting some support where you can discuss all this and get some support to achieve your goals. 

Also, would you want to work at a place where an autism diagnosis would go against you? My metaphysics tutor was running a great program last year but when I told her my diagnosis, she said she was ‘sorry’ to hear that! I said it was nice talking to her (because it was), and got off the phone, knowing that deep down, despite her great program, I knew she wasn’t the person for me to work with anymore, if I could avoid it, because I’m not sure that saying sorry, to anybody in that way, is very metaphysical! I say we stand strong and proud - when we have the strength or inclination to do that.