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Phone call to an AS charity left me crying.

Mark

Hi, I’m currently working as a supervisor but lately I’m finding it very hard to deal with. I work in a supermarket so the hours and days are all over the place. And that one thing is, the pay. I can’t afford to move out on the pay and I have no idea what to do. I feel trapped. 

I phoned up a charity to ask if there was anything they could help me with, we talked about my needs and what I find difficult. But the person I spoke to was very rude…I actually left the phone crying. 

I told them about my current job and what I do, her words were “to be honest, I think this is the best it’s going to get for people like you” I asked her what did she mean, she told me most people with AS don’t work jobs as supervisors and that she can only offer me part time low paid jobs. It felt like a dead end for me and i had built up so much courage to phone someone for help. 

I’ve had a really bad panic attack. It’s left me feeling trapped even more. I can’t breathe, I feel selfish for wanting a better job when people with AS don’t work jobs like mine. 

I don’t know what to do now. Who can I go to for some real help? I’m sick of my job and I can’t do it anymore. 

Parents

  • I feel angry for you at being spoken to like that. You might expect it from the less informed but a charity working with autistic people should have more autism awareness and empathy. It really is shocking to generalise like that about autistic people.

    Perhaps you could email the charity and explain how badly those comments have affected you. If it prevents another autistic person being spoken down to in a similar way then it will be worth it.

    Many autistic people have a lot of qualifications, skills and strengths to bring to the workplace. Unfortunately work culture still persists in judging on interview performance and demanding things like being a 'team player'.

    I have been there in the past, stuck in a job which was totally unsuitable for me and feeling trapped. My employer was expecting me to take on extra responsibility for managing and supervising and I did not have the interpersonal or social skills for that role. Ultimately it led to a mental breakdown (likely autistic burnout), which I wouldn't wish on anyone.

    Try and work out what it is about your current role you are finding so hard. For example the supervising others or the lack of structure and routine? Are there any reasonable adjustments you could ask of your employer to make these difficult aspects easier for you, at least until you are able to find something more suitable?

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  • I feel angry for you at being spoken to like that. You might expect it from the less informed but a charity working with autistic people should have more autism awareness and empathy. It really is shocking to generalise like that about autistic people.

    Perhaps you could email the charity and explain how badly those comments have affected you. If it prevents another autistic person being spoken down to in a similar way then it will be worth it.

    Many autistic people have a lot of qualifications, skills and strengths to bring to the workplace. Unfortunately work culture still persists in judging on interview performance and demanding things like being a 'team player'.

    I have been there in the past, stuck in a job which was totally unsuitable for me and feeling trapped. My employer was expecting me to take on extra responsibility for managing and supervising and I did not have the interpersonal or social skills for that role. Ultimately it led to a mental breakdown (likely autistic burnout), which I wouldn't wish on anyone.

    Try and work out what it is about your current role you are finding so hard. For example the supervising others or the lack of structure and routine? Are there any reasonable adjustments you could ask of your employer to make these difficult aspects easier for you, at least until you are able to find something more suitable?

Children
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