Does anyone know if this is something anyone does?
I feel like I just need to speak to someone because my head's all over the place regarding what I want to do. I know I don't need to have it all worked out now, but it'd be nice to have some direction.
I've spent many many years trying to work it out on my own, and I think I realised that it's not really working anymore.
1. Not sure what you mean necessarily. I use my computer a lot so a lot of the basic stuff, I've gotten my head around.
2. Anything repetitive that I'm interested in. I follow TV viewing figures and I keep charts and spreadsheets - occasionally I might spend an hour (or more) updating them.
3. I do drive. Getting about on my own is not a bother.
4. Don't know really. I don't mind the idea of working from home but I think, provided it works around my commitments, I prefer to be out and about.
Some questions:
1 - What is your relationship with computers? With the arts and humanities?
2 - What are you doing when you realize you are not thinking of something else while your doing it?
3 - do you drive? How mobility independent are you?
4 - where would you spend the most of your time if you could teleport there and back?
Off the cuff guess but - perhaps you would do well in research and library sciences but for that a bit of procedural training would suit. That can be had on the job. - just a guess.
knowing the answers to the above questions will help you figure out what floats your boat. Some of us are not able to hold a job but can manage small cottage industries.
I did a bit of volunteering in an office and I didn't enjoy it at all. The TV stuff worked for me although became very intensified by the end.
I have wondered about YouTube but I don't have the confidence to really do it. I generally like singing pop stuff, big ballads if you like (but also softer ones). I did have lessons but I couldn't make good use of them; I felt like I was masking quite heavily and therefore I came away feeling less confident, not more.
And thank you. :)
That's all awesome and it's good you have an interest/love for the performing arts and that you're thinking of pursuing that. I'm pursuing my interests as well and I'm so much happier because of it.
I first worked in a post office, it nearly killed me, I found it so difficult trying to be social and work at the same time. I couldn't do it.
Freelance is good, you can use that as some experience as well. Even if it's not professional it's still experience and shows you're keen which will be noted.
Have you tried doing YouTube videos as well? A lot of people do that, as a starting point. I think it's how Justin Beiber found fame originally, music wise.
Shadowing the drama guy at the school is a great idea. You'll learn so much I should think. And it's more experience which you can use.
I love singing as well. What do you like singing?
Have you had any lessons? I've had lessons, paid for, and done courses online. I love to sing. It's an uplifting experience.
Good luck with your future artistic endeavours. I hope it all works out how you want it to.
Ah, I didn't know that was a thing. I was on Universal Credit for a while but I didn't really get the support I needed from them. I'll look into it, thanks!
That must have been so tough. I was allowed to go in to whatever my heart desired really, I think most young people can when they leave school... If there's a job available, that is. Work is hard to find at the moment...
I can't really imagine doing a job that I wouldn't find interesting or be comfortable doing, like working in a factory or busy shop, both would be unbearable and likely cause me too shutdown or have meltdowns and panic attacks.
For many of us oldies, given the experiences that we have had with childhood bullying and other factors, our future career paths were decided for us by others when we were leaving school, with no input being permitted from us, given the social and moral climates at the time (which on balance, perhaps was a good thing) and we were made to stay in certain types of jobs for 10, 20 years, etc and in some cases, were actively discouraged and even prevented from pursuing any interests outside of that job, including further education, especially if remotely employment-related or career-related
Hi!
I'm not sure if this will be helpful or not, but it could be worth asking your GP to refer you to the Social Prescribers in your area. They will pop you on a waitlist to get connected with a social link worker who is a point of contact for many different services. From what I was told by a nurse I saw they cover a whole range of things, and if they don't do it themselves they know plenty of charities/other services who can offer support, which includes socialising, independence, and careers. There should be services in your area, but you just need to ask to get referred via a GP.
Hope this helps!
This is one area in which I firmly believe and maintain that a post-diagnostic assessment is vital, to both properly assess one’s level of autism and to properly establish one’s appropriate support needs going forward, especially for those of us diagnosed later in life - having this as a basic legal entitlement for us and a basic legal obligation on all public and private support bodies is both essential and is vital
I'm into media/performing arts type stuff. I used to work in the TV industry a few years back but those opportunities dried up quite quickly.
I've done some freelance editing stuff from home since, but in terms of paid employment, it has been 2.5 years since I've been in it.
Recently I explored theatre. I shadowed someone in a primary school - he puts on drama lessons for 5-7 year olds and I just went in to see what they do. I've also had a chat with the "parent" company to see if they can find anything for me. They know I like singing so being able to dabble in that would be good.
But I guess the main thing right now is to be open with them about the fact I'm keen to find something that I can physically keep up with.
What are your interests? Is there anything you're really interested in and would like to pursue?
Something you could do is make a list of jobs you'd like to do and then do the pros and cons for them, see how suitable it would be and if you would be able to cope with that work.
That's what I did when trying to find what I wanted to do. I read in the comments about theatre work. Such an interesting thing to be part of but it is very fast paced, noisy and a bright environment... Would be ok for some autistic people but definitely not all. Both my parents work in theatre and growing up we were all over the country because they were doing shows, it was interesting but I found it stressful a lot of the time.
Let us know how you get on though and if you think it's for you then definitely go for it!
I work with little children, and I love it!
It can be noisy, which is really stressful, but I love it and seem to be coping with it so far.
I don't need to have it all worked out now, but it'd be nice to have some direction.
What are your special interests?
These are the best starting point as you are likely to be very knowledgeable about them and working in those fields may be much more do-able than most regular jobs.
I have had a few chats with a theatre company. Even though I liked it enough to visit again, I just felt this internal conflict. Confusion as to whether I'd enjoy it and whether I'd have the capacity for it. I'm seeing them again on Friday so I'll talk about that with them.
I've had jobs where I was on my feet for the best part of 12 hours, inevitably leading to burnout.
I’m also trying to figure it out for myself. I remember you wrote some time ago about some Theater class courses, if I remember correctly. Did you try? How was your experience? What you like or dislike about it? For me best place is a monotonous job, where I don’t have to deal much with people, far away from customers (I hate how demanding and impatient they are, but I hide my feelings and opinions about them). My best job I’ve ever had was a warehouse manager. Predictability, repetitiveness of the tasks and procedures was something I like and I had an opportunity to use my creativity in order to improve the work and efficiency. Unfortunately I had to say goodbye, but both the boss and me were really happy. If I stayed in my country I would definitely stay there. Now I’m looking for some kinda similar job, of course not a manager at the beginning but these kind of tasks suit me best. Customer service drains me out of energy and often causes low mood, fatigue and burnout. Everyone is different
