Autistic Careers

Hello everyone,

I'm a 28 year old girl, well I suppose woman but I don't feel like it!

Anyway, I was diagnosed almost a year ago now and have had zero support since. I'm high functioning and graduated from university five years ago. I have worked in the past and am perfectly capable, but I just can not work out what I want/can do. I definitely don't want an office job. I'd like to do something more practical. I want a career not a job. I just can't seem to find any appropriate support, anything that's out there seems to be for people who are, without sounding rude, less high functioning than I am. When I try to research appropriate jobs for autistic people a lot of what comes up is stuff like IT and software which is not me at all. I particularly struggle with the social side of things and am far better working on my own. Another thing I struggle with is that I will get an idea in my head and obsess over it for a couple of weeks. I will do lots of research and read as much as I can about that particular career and decide yes that's what I want to do. And then after a couple of weeks the idea sort of fizzles out and then I think oh I'm glad I didn't pursue that because I'm really not sure if that is what I want to do.

It's driving me absolutely insane. To make things worse I still live at home with my mum who is struggling financially and there's nothing I can do to help. I don't think I'm ever going to find the right career and it gets me so depressed.

Has anyone had any similar experiences? Or any advice? I would so so appreciate it. I'm at my wits end.

Thank you so much!

Parents
  • Lots and lots of experience of similar. Struggling to know what to do. Reading up on countless types of jobs and careers. Finding some I like whereby I'm really excited, thinking 'I can do that', then within a couple of weeks doubts take over and I'm no longer any where near as sure, and the prospect fizzles out.

    My last partner said to me 'what you're looking for is a cheerleader' (to help nudge, motivate me to apply, keep researching, dispel doubts, and keep the faith basically). I think she was right.

    [Hope this isn't too much of an annoying question] Do you have anyone (eg friend) who could play the pep talk/cheerleader role enough to help see you past the barriers/see you through?

Reply
  • Lots and lots of experience of similar. Struggling to know what to do. Reading up on countless types of jobs and careers. Finding some I like whereby I'm really excited, thinking 'I can do that', then within a couple of weeks doubts take over and I'm no longer any where near as sure, and the prospect fizzles out.

    My last partner said to me 'what you're looking for is a cheerleader' (to help nudge, motivate me to apply, keep researching, dispel doubts, and keep the faith basically). I think she was right.

    [Hope this isn't too much of an annoying question] Do you have anyone (eg friend) who could play the pep talk/cheerleader role enough to help see you past the barriers/see you through?

Children
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