Published on 12, July, 2020
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.
I will probably get crap for this, but here goes. I never worked, and only did a very little voluntary work and studying. The severe social anxiety was a bigger barrier than the schizoaffective/schizophrenia when it came to being employed . I deteriorate under pressure and therefore wasn't up to doing a demanding white collar job. On the other hand I have poor manual and practical ability so wasn't suitable for that kind of work. There was no help to help me find something I could do that took into account all the things I've mentioned.My studying consisted of an abortive attempt at a history A level correspondence soon after my first time in psych hospital. Over the years I've had more than a few mental health professionals encourage me to do a college course of some kind. I've brushed aside all suggestions due to bullying related trauma, and the paranoia and lack of self confidence that goes with it. I needed to be able to know I wouldn't be bullied and made fun of like I was at both prep, and even more so public school. I couldn't trust that I wouldn't be. Also there's always been a huge fear of failure due to quite severe executive functioning difficulties , especially with regards to organising planning. I academically underachieved at school because of it. Executive functioning being a better guide to academic achievement in school age children than IQ.
Hi, I saw this post and to be fair it is understandable as to why you can't work. There is a fixation on "contributing to society" so nowadays if you don't have a job people will pry and ask you lots of stupid questions.
My case is different as I've worked from 19 - I'm in my 3rd job now and am trying to get out of office work as I've been doing it for 3+ years and feel burntout.