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Job advice for people with Asperger’s syndrome

NAS74665

Hey everyone, I am new to this site and trying to get to grips with it, so sorry for any typos :)

The post is not about me but my long term boyfriend of 3 years (we have lived together 2 years and were from Scotland). He can be extremely anxious about talking about his Asperger's and really struggles to reach out for help- so I am doing this on his behalf and also to see if I can help him betterSlight smile

He currently is working but he is finding it really tough. He has worked in a customer based job for almost 2 years now (after he had dropped out of a photography course), and it has really taken a toll on him. He feels drained and exhausted by the work, which is completely understandable as he is working 4 days a week from 9- 5.30. To make matters worse his co workers are unaware of his diagnosis and do not treat him very well- yesterday he was called 'Pathetic' for asking a sensible question and not wanting to damage expensive products. Every day he talks about just walking out of work and never coming back. It has all taken a toll on his mental health too especially his depression and anxiety. Honestly I am close to saying to him to just hand in his notice and go onto benefits till he can find something that would make him happy.

I love him and it is so upsetting to see him treated like this and he has reached his limit. I do my best to help him just relax when he is home, I do most of the cooking and cleaning when I am not studying for my degree. But it also leaves me drained especially when he is having a really bad period of feeling drained (which I know is not his fault). He is talking about going into our local job centre to try and find something better, help or a scheme for people with Asperger's. I 100% support this idea and all I want is for him to be happy but he still struggles about talking about his condition. I do my best to reassure him there is nothing to be ashamed of and that he is just as capable and talented as everyone else to find a job he would love.

I just want to know what peoples experiences have been seeking work with their conditions, is there any good services in Scotland which can help? Are there any good employers for people with the condition? Or even places which can support him without judgement? Even advice on how I can be a better partner and help more?

Any advice or help would be really appreciated, thank you Slight smile

Parents

  • A job facing the public is probably not ideal for someone on the autism spectrum. Having to interact with many people, most of them strangers, on a daily basis will drain energy hugely. Because we have to do the social stuff that allistic (non-autistic) people do by instinct, through using our intellect, this is physically and emotionally exhausting. When we are in public, it is like we are acting in a play, we have to remember 'our lines' and 'stage direction', and because of this autism is like having a level of stage-fright all the time. I would recommend that your partner considers actively looking for a job that requires less contact with the public, but not to quit his present job until he secures another, Securing a job from being already employed is much easier than from being unemployed. It would make his life much easier if he told his employers about his autism diagnosis as they are required by law to make 'reasonable accommodations' to make his work less stressful to him. If they react negatively there are anti-discrimination laws to protect from unfair dismissal etc. Joining a trades union, if available, might bolster his position.

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  • A job facing the public is probably not ideal for someone on the autism spectrum. Having to interact with many people, most of them strangers, on a daily basis will drain energy hugely. Because we have to do the social stuff that allistic (non-autistic) people do by instinct, through using our intellect, this is physically and emotionally exhausting. When we are in public, it is like we are acting in a play, we have to remember 'our lines' and 'stage direction', and because of this autism is like having a level of stage-fright all the time. I would recommend that your partner considers actively looking for a job that requires less contact with the public, but not to quit his present job until he secures another, Securing a job from being already employed is much easier than from being unemployed. It would make his life much easier if he told his employers about his autism diagnosis as they are required by law to make 'reasonable accommodations' to make his work less stressful to him. If they react negatively there are anti-discrimination laws to protect from unfair dismissal etc. Joining a trades union, if available, might bolster his position.

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