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Work Issues and Autism

Polaris302

Hello.

This is my first post here and I wanted to ask about the issues people on the spectrum can have in the world of work.  I haven't been lucky when it comes to finding long term employment; I graduated with a Masters in Engineering in 2011, but I've only been in a long term job for the last 5 years and, putting it mildly, it's a dead-end.  There's no career progression, I hate my employer more and more each day and in my interview, when I was trying to explain my Autism and the issues it can cause, I was cut off and asked "Are you an angry person?"  If it wasn't for difficulties at home, and the recession making it harder to find work I would have quit years ago.  

- Why do people on the spectrum have difficulties with finding or keeping a job? 

- Does anyone have any advice on explaining what Autism is and how it can affect your work to an employer?   

Parents

  • some employers really dont care - from experiences I have read here and from personal experience.  As for "- Why do people on the spectrum have difficulties with finding or keeping a job? "  well this one is more complex. 

    first over 50% of employers admit they wont interview anyone with autism. I can't remember where i got that figure. 

    keeping a job - well NTs expect u to behave a certain way and if u dont meet their expectations they reject you. Autistic people are really good workers when they want to work. They just need a mentor who understands the aspects of your autism, and can keep an eye on you, and thus lubricate issues with other staff as they come up.  

Reply

  • some employers really dont care - from experiences I have read here and from personal experience.  As for "- Why do people on the spectrum have difficulties with finding or keeping a job? "  well this one is more complex. 

    first over 50% of employers admit they wont interview anyone with autism. I can't remember where i got that figure. 

    keeping a job - well NTs expect u to behave a certain way and if u dont meet their expectations they reject you. Autistic people are really good workers when they want to work. They just need a mentor who understands the aspects of your autism, and can keep an eye on you, and thus lubricate issues with other staff as they come up.  

Children
  • in reply to aidie
    aidie said:
    Autistic people are really good workers when they want to work. They just need a mentor who understands the aspects of your autism, and can keep an eye on you, and thus lubricate issues with other staff as they come up.  

    This..

    and especially the word "just".  Mentors are often voluntary as well, so this adjustment, which could make so much difference, isn't necessarily a cost to the employer.