I was just trying to find some statistics online to indicate how many people with Aspergers are employed. I think I read a stat somewhere of 20% in full-time employment but I am not sure where. There are probably also going to be undiagnosed people who not included though.
Are you working? If you are do you enjoy it? Is it something that relates your interests? Would you really like to be doing something else?
I've never had a job, which is a combination of low self esteem and outright panic at the idea. I need the money though, which is a problem causing me a lot of upset right now, especially since the DWP turned down my ESA application for the second time.
Hi AspieMum, sorry for not getting straight back - i have just been trying to manage everything....
Thanks for the link. Hopefully I won't need legal input - but who knows?
I am still off work but there is finally an OH appt in my workplace next Thursday. i am dreading it and also dreading going bacl to work. But I know I need to have some sort of secure income and this seems to be all I can think of doing.
Have you discussed with your son what other options for work he might like? maybe something related to his interests/ Or would it be possible for him to get some further education or training that would help him do what he might like. Maybe his job just isn't the one for him and never will be?
:-)
Hi Jon
Ive not been on the forum for a while and was just wondering how things are with you? My son is still of work (sadly) but I have been in touch with someone call Robyn Steward (she has aspbergers syndrome and gives talks etc on radio) She has sent me a link to Unity Lawyers who work for people with a disability.
Have a look, it might be useful to you.www.unity-law.co.uk
Take care.
One further caution on the statistics. Anything coming out of the "Leading Rewarding and Fulfilling Lives" initiative may only represent people on the spectrum seeking support. It might tackle those with diagnoses - but how, as some authorities don't have diagnosis centres?
It probably won't pick up on those with private diagnoses, some of whom have been forced to pay because they cannot access n NHS diagnostic team, only then to find they cannot get support because they haven't got an NHS diagnosis.
It won't find out about people without a diagnosis or living with the wrong diagnosis.
But then what about people who've moved to another health authority since diagnosis and haven't claimed or haven't been able to prove their need for support (such as because they are deemed to be "cured")? What about homeless people on the spectrum who shuffle around the country where they can get help?
It may be we will never know about the statistics of adults on the spectrum.
If I can draw a parallel, which may be a familiar issue to some parents, there are a lot of very tall or very broad people on the spectrum who have trouble getting clothes. Why is this?
Well it is not in the vested interests of the clothing industry to accept the existance of an outsize market which might be less profitable. So they ensure the statistics cannot be collected, and even put out stories that tall or large people aren't as big a proportion of the population as is believed. Something similar happens to short people.
Several department/chain clothing stores produce data on what people purchase from their stores, or use exit polls of a sample of customers. But this is a "chicken and egg" dilemma.
If they don't have large or tall or small sizes to sell, no-one will buy any, so these sizes wont appear in the exit poll or till receipts. Yet these statistics are used to prove that there is no demand for above or below average sizes.
Worse some of these stores sell on their data to smaller businesses for profit, even though they know the results are poorly derived. This perpetuates an industry view that very tall, very broad or very small customers are few and far between.
The fact is the most profit lies in selling to Mr Average.
Likewise with the autistic spectrum, National and local Government want to hide the fact there's a growing problem. And I'm afraid it will stay like that for a very long time.
thanks for the stats. Yep, I agree it does look like we need more accurate studies.
That's why I think we should try to ensure what people on the spectrum are strong at they are encouraged to do and to build a career around (however improbable it seems to parents).
...I agree totaly with that. To take it further it would be great if that applied to absolutely everyone. But yes drawing on AS peoples skills is key to happier more fullfiling lives.
I can very much relate to that dichotomy of being either an asset or a problem. I was an asset on the rare occasions I got someone who was happy to leave me to it, and a problem with those that were lacking in self confidence, or who were not logical thinkers (which is most people). They could not even identify specifically in what way I was a problem. Having these constant difficult interactions is very confidence undermining.
I agree with you totally, Jon.
I believe (NAS might correct me) that the 20 percent or thereabouts figures come from surveys by NAS. The surveys are I think based on voluntary responses by people on the spectrum, their parents or carers.
What we desperately need are meaningful figures by Health Authorities in response to "Living Rewarding and Fulfilling Lives" but looking at the pathetic national uptake I cannot see reliable figures coming out of that in the near future.
I am now retired. I was very lucky in being able and developing coping strategies, But work was still a precarious and depressing nightmare.
My education suffered at school, not helped by my peers finding out how to make me have a melt down, on a daily basis. Fortunately I seemed to get rid of that vulnerability for the most part by my twenties. I was also fortunate not having dyslexia, which enabled me to write well and compensate for poor face-to face. And in my twenties I did get to University, and followed with a PhD. And I got lots of useful experiences on the way.
My special interests were broader, and I found I could trade off on activities removed from my preferred activities that I could put up with. It did lead to some compartmentalisation problems - things I could do well and gaps where people expected me to be able when I wasn't.
I supposed that enabled me to follow a career in research and later teaching, which I guess is an AS pattern.
However fitting in at work was a constant nightmare. There were always people obsessed about lots of little things I couldn't do or couldn't do right. They seldom succeeded because when brought to an investigation they couldn't make a case and my work was generally good and in some areas brilliant. But I lived under the constant cloud of these "pogroms" initiated by so-called colleagues with a perceived grievance.
It was also very hard to change jobs. I fared badly in interviews. I didn't have people skills so that blocked the promotion ladder. I lived in between being a problem to be solved and a useful asset. The things I could do I could do brilliantly and was valuable as a result.
That's why I think we should try to ensure what people on the spectrum are strong at they are encouraged to do and to build a career around (however improbable it seems to parents).
Until my diagnosis I suiffered badly from low self esteem and very poor self confidence, and was very prone to anxiety spira;ls. The diagniosis helped me resolve that.
I heard it was 15%. But that stat also includes the low functioning people and the people on the spectrum who can't work due to their other disabilities.
There was a survey done at the local Autism support group and 85% are in employment.
I currently don't work. Partly due to my Autism and partly due to my other disabilities.
Silver100 said:I couldn't get more work as this involved interactions which I couldn't cope with.
I think it is all about those 'interactions'. More understanding and support would make such a difference.
.....does anyone know any statistics regarding AS and employment?
I no longer work. I have tried working but they kept ending disaterously. They all agreed it was not the actual work that they had a problem with it was me as an employee. I did not understand what they meant by this as I hate confrontation and will almost say anything to avoid it. My last 7 years working was as a self-employed person, which was fine whilst someone I knew and who was supportive was able to give me work but when that ceased I couldn't get more work as this involved interactions which I couldn't cope with. The ESA process was extremely stressful but I was fortunate to have supportive friends and life is much better for me now. I absolutely agree with you Jon (another post) about the internet.
I do get down about about what I might have achieved if I had been given the chance, but I am thankful for what I have too.
Hi Muckworm,
I think it is true that many people with AS are doing jobs that don't really match their abilities. Its a difficult problem. If only there was an 'AS Employment agency' :-)
I dont think people always appreciate how difficult the social side of working can be. The 'chat' that humans do sometimes seem to be very good for both getting the job and being succesful in the job.
Hi Jon -
I work full time and have done for some years although the job is rubbish. I have a Master's Degree and a massive IQ (I think - it's genius level) but when I declare I have autism (I am diagnosed high functioning autism) somehow any job I'd like disappears.
I know I could do loads of stuff that mattered more but no-one has ever given me the chance so I am stuck in a dead end boring job, but at least it's work.
I cope ok with it because I have an established routine and spend fair amounts of time on my own so I just get on with it. Luckily my boss is hands off and I like that, no hassles. My colleagues are awful but I ignore them.
If I could get different work I would, but right now I can't and as long as I'm able to work I will, whatever it is I do - I like the independence it gives me.
