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Do you work, study, etc?

Matthew
29 days ago

Hi. I’m curious how many of us with autism work or study. I was terrible at school, couldn’t cope at all and was eventually taught at home. I’ve been attempting to integrate in the workplace for the last two years, I currently volunteer every now and then, there is the potential of paid work with this business in the end but it all relies on whether I can stabalise going in to volunteer/work. Generally I go in for a day or two and then I am hit by a wave of fatigue. I suppose it’s a result of anxiety, bordering on the line of burnout because it’s the worst fatigue I’ve ever had. I become so tired I feel dizzy and can hardly stand and then I need to rest and I literally can’t function for days after…

Rest and bed is required but whilst I’m like this I’m unable to properly work and it’s really frustrating, especially as the people I volunteer with have confirmed I could have a work position with them in the end. I tried seeking professional help but that was a dead end route.

Currently I just volunteer every now and then. I would love to do more but I physically and mentally cannot sustain this.

I do a lot at home, mostly hobby projects like writing and working on classic cars but because of this I am unemployed and somewhat reliant on my parents. They support me and help me with my daily struggles but they are older now, and not in the best of health, so it does concern me as to what will happen to me if anything were to happen to them.
Though I try not to think about that too much.

I am curious how many here work or volunteer and study? I’ve tried but I can’t seem to nail it.

Parents
  • 16 days ago

    I just about managed uni and got my degree in spite of being mostly absent. This was in the 80s and autism wasn't really understood so I had no idea the issues I had stemmed from this.

    Work was easier as I was clever - managed to get into IT when desktop PCs first appeared and had a long career specialising in support even though it was terrible for my autistic sensitivities, but it paid well and I got to meet people I otherwise wouldn't have and develop social masking to the point I could pass for most;y normal.

    I had been working towards getting out of the rat race for ages and after an unfortunate near bankrupcy (thanks to my wifes business venture) had to start from scratch and buid up slowly again.

    For me the biggest improvement was getting out from working for other people. In IT there are so many managers with mental health issues it is scary so I built up my skills in property renovation and managed to make a lot of money this decade to be able to retire in my 50s and have since moved to Brazil and do the odd property renovation here to keep busy and build the retirement fund.

    I'm a firm believer that you can only ever count on yourself so have developed a mental discipline to grow skills that are useful towards my goals and overcome the issues of autism that are holding me back. It all comes at a cost so the key is knowing when you need to use these skills and when to be kind to yourself.

  • 16 days ago in reply to Iain

    Well..... Ian and Iain... I've only just realised there are two of you. I'm sure I've thought of you as one for quite some time. The difference a vowel came make, eh!

    Ben

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  • 16 days ago in reply to Iain

    Well..... Ian and Iain... I've only just realised there are two of you. I'm sure I've thought of you as one for quite some time. The difference a vowel came make, eh!

    Ben

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