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. 

I hope this reply gets through, I'm having keyboard issues. This is my 5th attempt.

Thanks for telling me about your job, because it really helps to hear from someone with autism in the sort of role I would like to have. It helps me to feel that I could do it too.

I also have problems with tiredness, and have to recharge when I can, but it can be hard to find the time and a place in which to be alone. But it doesn't need to be much, just a few minutes in the loo (reading a book, that is) can help to break up the day.

I have a family, and my husband is unemployed, and so I'm the breadwinner at the moment. I need to be pretty sure that whatever career choices I make will be sustainable.

I hope this reply gets through, I'm having keyboard issues. This is my 5th attempt.

Thanks for telling me about your job, because it really helps to hear from someone with autism in the sort of role I would like to have. It helps me to feel that I could do it too.

I also have problems with tiredness, and have to recharge when I can, but it can be hard to find the time and a place in which to be alone. But it doesn't need to be much, just a few minutes in the loo (reading a book, that is) can help to break up the day.

I have a family, and my husband is unemployed, and so I'm the breadwinner at the moment. I need to be pretty sure that whatever career choices I make will be sustainable.

We have a Quiet Room at work, where you can go to get some peace. It's set out with comfy chairs and they're adding in a wall mural of a sunlit forest soon. People read in there, I've also seen a man curled up sleeping on the sofa in his lunch hour!

I work 5 days a week and realise that this number of days in my current role is energetically too draining if I also wish to pursue interests that have a social aspect to them. 

My preferred balance would be 2 or 3 days in my current role in addition to a good enough second income from being a self-employed Etsy art /craft seller or specialist trainer. This is my longer-term plan. 

I notice that not all social contact is draining for me, it's just the superficial chit-chat and social lubricant stuff which I find a lot of work. I do find that other types of shared interest-based conversations can re-energise me. I'm gradually recognising more and more of the ways in which I am drained or re-energised and writing a list so I can work smarter. 

Some of the strategies I could implement to find more opportunities to re-energise at work could be going for a walk around to 'check the building is ok', going to a local quiet cafe for lunch or locking myself in an empty room at lunchtime. The toilets, unfortunately, tend to be busy and some of them unisex multi-cubicle rooms. 

With regards to your particular circumstances, one approach could be to seek a relief 0 zero contract in social care and work one day a week to test how it affects you. This should minimise any impact on benefits and would allow you time to explore the role. You could then step up the number of days and look for a permanent contract when and if you find it do-able. 

Do let us know how your search progresses and if you would like any tips about approaching your application/ or interview then I'm happy to chat.