Autistic social worker- not an autism social worker

I'm not in a social work role right now but I am still in an supporting role for the NHS. I don't think I'll stop working with people, although I'm finding that it comes at a huge cost to me own health and wellbeing so I sometimes think that I should! 

It is a tricky balancing act to not burn myself out but I try my best. I'd like to think I was a good social worker for autistic people even before I was diagnosed myself though. A good social worker doesn't need to know everything about every condition possible, but needs to listen and understand each person's experience and perspective of their own life. If you pay attention to that then you really can't go too wrong, and if you do get it wrong then you change and grow.

That's my view anyway! 

Thanks, I already joined it.

Where can I find an autistic doctor? Lol. So badly need one in the hope they will get my sensory weirdness born medical/body phobias and actually be able to treat me.

Don't know, but if I ever need one, I'd like one. Don't give up. Someone like me might need you some day.

BASW has just started a Special Interest Group for neurodiverse social workers - check their web site!

I have sent you a message. For some reason I cannot see the option from my phone so I have had to log into my computer. 

Hi, H!

We are definitely here! Feel free to connect with me anytime – I did social work before I became a teacher. :-) I still do it on the side, so if you ever want to chat directly, vent, commiserate, etc., feel free to message me. :-)

Elizabeth

Thank you for replying. My husband is a primary school teacher. It is a hard job but it seems a lot more structured than mine. I'd struggle to maintain the number of hours work needed as I get anxious if I don't do my hobbies every day! 

I'm replying to you as you've replied to my careers post... :) I worked in care roles since my degree and I burn out all the time (hence coming on here). I'm not a social worker but I am training to be a primary school teacher and I've had to have a lot of accommodations made for me to help me cope. I also have many learning difficulties. I think I can understand some of your difficulties. 

Thank you very much for finding this for me! 

Thank you very very much for this article. I could have written the words of Shirley Moore when she writes about needing to know the seemingly small details and feeling stupid for not being able to just get on with things. I imagine we have very similar natured demands in our professions (I work as a social worker in adult social care).

Self diagnosed about age 50, terrible troubles later aged 60 . ASD was not considered in any ? Intelligent people until the 1980s

Depends if you are the type that is helpful to social workers haha

How do you find doing a demanding and unpredictable job? Were you diagnosed earlier in life or as an adult? 

I’m an autistic doctor ? Any use? No doubt 1% of social workers are autistic and have similar good qualities as mentioned here https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lanpsy/article/PIIS2215-0366(20)30087-0/fulltext

they do exist ! ( 2014 )

www.communitycare.co.uk/.../

sorry realised it is probably you I am thinkin off      SIlly me

There was one in here for sure