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My Support Worker

NAS71121

Hi.

I'm currently at university and have had a diagnosis of autism since I was ten. This has allowed me to access support at school and university, but an incident last year has caused me to lose trust in one of my support workers. I was in a session with her, venting my frustrations about finding part-time work and how ridiculous it is, and her response was "don't say that when you're applying." She sounded serious about it too. Annoyed and feeling very patronized, I stormed out of the session.

While I have explained myself and apologised in an attempt to repair the relationship, I'm no longer able to confide in her the way I used to. It's like that incident stripped away a level of trust and I'm not sure how to get it back, or even if I want to. I mean, it's not great when the person that's been assigned to support you and has worked with you for over two years, tells you what not to say and it doesn't even occur to her that you do actually know better. Do any of you have similar experiences?

  • What specifically do you find ridiculous about finding part time work?

    We are in a recession-inducing pandemic. It is hard to find part time work at the best of times but especially so right now, especially if you live in a student-populated area and there are a lot of industries being affected locally. There will be competition. 

    A lot of people say to me that I shouldn't say some things but sometimes my humour comes across so dryly that people don't pick up on it and think I'm being serious.

  • Hi  - while I don't know the full circumstances, you've been very fortunate to have been so well supported since your diagnosis that you've made it through to uni - most don't get those opportunities.

    I'm probably going to unpopular, but your support worker was perfectly correct,.  

    Up until now, you have been living the life of a child where everything is provided for you to succeed - but as you transition into adulthood, you will be be expected to look after yourself and work for the things you want - and a job will not be just handed to you - you have to convince the employer that you will be a useful employee and not an unpredictable liability - and keeping some opinions to yourself is one of those skills you need to practice to be employable.

    I'd ask you - do you think that your "storming out" behaviour would be acceptable in the workplace?