Published on 12, July, 2020
Hello. I've always been employed but it has damaged my mental health and managers' responses have traumatised me. I now work two nights a week which is ideal because I work alone in a warehouse. I haven't had a meltdown in over six months - a miracle! BUT I can't live on this. I still live with my parents at 45 and they are very anxious about my future because I can't support myself. I'm not great at saving money and no longer earn much. The problem is that most people don't understand Autism and I look like I can work. I pass as neurotypical, if not a bit eccentric and anxious, until people have known me for over a year and see me fall apart. I feel invisible. How do I get help? what happens ten years from now when I am forced to move out? I don't want to have a relationship and prefer to be alone, away from people, so I don't know how I can live? I have a lot of anxiety about this. What do I do?
NAS88719 said: I've always been employed but it has damaged my mental health and managers' responses have traumatised me.
Trauma can be healed - probably not 100% but hopefully enough to get you functioning like you were before. A good therapist can help you with that.
As for what to do long term, what are your interests and hobbies - maybe we can suggest routes that can help you draw on these.
Lastly, what are the main issues of your autism in relation to work?
I like art and craft, animals, learning new things. My issues at work are interpersonal things, miscommunication, fear of tone of voice or being told off, formal meetings, ethical hypersensitivity and over-empathising, sensitivity to noise, bustle, fast-paced work and having to deal with too many colleagues, getting burnt out quickly, no emotional regulation - frequent panic attacks/meltdowns where I sob for an hour then go home exhausted, intense anxiety causing inability to communicate, think rationally or perform functions involving numbers.
No need to do any formal study for these - the vets assistant can start with mundane tasks and be trained on the job - you won't get to do anyhing medical but will do cleaning, feeding, ordering supplies, socialising the animals, and supporting the vet.
I shouild imagine with time you will be able to assist with more and more stuff but there may be an element of dealing with customers worried about their pets.
To find out about positions it is good to update your CV to include any pet welfare work you have done and add a covering letter saying you are interested in starting a career in animal welfare as this is where your true passion lies.
Then visit all the vets around your area (it will help if you drive) and drop in to see if they would consider some voulunteer work. Expect this to be unpaid at least initially but it will get you experience which will help either secure a sole there later when one is open or at another vet practice.
For dog walker role you can either approach a local company doing this and see if they have positions or volunteer if not. This can be a quite physical role if the dogs are big or unruly so be prepared.
For stable hand, read up on the role to understand how much manure moving is a part of this role and learn the terms for the equipment, harness and horse parts. Then approach local stables and offer to volunteer. These environments can be a bit snooty at times (mosty because you need a lot of money to keep a horse) but don't be put off.
The prospect of working for free is never attractive but it will give you the best chance to get some experience while deciding if it is really for you.
I love these ideas but don't know how to get into them. I already have a degree so I won't get funding to study again.
NAS88719 said:I like art and craft, animals, learning new things.
How about:
Vet assistant
Dog walker
Stable hand
These involce working with animals and limited human interaction and there are always loads of things to learn about the animals - even teaching them new tricks.