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Coping strategies for my Asperger's

James W

Hi all,

I've been struggling with my Asperger's more recently than I have done in the past due to interviews, etc and I am finding them quite difficult. I also struggle with communication and also my general well-being and health (both physical and mental). I was wondering if any of you had any coping strategies for this?

Kind regards,

James W.

  • Hi James, we're all different but this is what works for me. 

    I plan journeys in advance and prepare to arrive early in case of delays to avoid stress. If I'm going to be away from home for some time I pack a snack, as hunger can lead to me losing focus (although obviously I wouldn't eat during an interview!)

    I would plan well for an interview and take some notes / my CV to review on the bus. (If you drive you can review these after parking the car if you are early) I would try to stay focussed on my strengths during the interview and mention these when answering questions where they are relevant. I would also prepare questions to ask at the end - write them down if you wish, the interviewer will be using notes, so no reason you shouldn't. Don't specifically ask about salary, hours, etc, but you could ask what the benefits are of working for that company. You could also ask about training courses, induction processes, etc. Some companies offer various training courses including communication, assertiveness and, meeting skills and presentation training, which may help your development, so if these are mentioned it might be a good idea to show some enthusiasm to take part. It is up to you whether you make them aware of your aspergers - some people prefer not to at interview stage, but it could help them to understand you better.

    In terms of health, I find eating a low sugar, low grain diet, making sure I eat enough protein and good fats, helps my digestion and keeps me feeling pretty healthy. I also make sure I get plenty of sleep and have some quiet time on my own each day. Wearing headphones on public transport helps some people too.

    Good luck!