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 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. 

This was lovely to read. It's great when you find your niche, are valued for it, and enjoy doing what you do.

This was lovely to read. It's great when you find your niche, are valued for it, and enjoy doing what you do.