Vulnerable

Star said:

Do you think having ASD  we deserve to be termed vulnerable adult s .

Yes, I do.

A person diagnosed with Level 1 autism is likely to experience burnout from long-term masking, or working to hide autism traits and appear neurotypical.6

They are usually able to communicate in full sentences most of the time, but may have trouble engaging in extended, back-and-forth communication with neurotypical people. This can increase the risk of mental health issues.

This alone demonstrates our vulnerability.

Debbie temp said:

A person diagnosed with Level 1 autism is likely to experience burnout from long-term masking, or working to hide autism traits and appear neurotypical

This is what set me on my journey to diagnosis. The woman at work who I know is also autistic had the same experience.

And it's what I've been going through for the last couple of months, albeit not as profoundly as some of my previous episodes.

I know when I go back to work after Christmas I'm going to have to explain what the heck was going on to a number of colleagues who (I assume) don't know I'm autistic. If I have a new years resolution at all this year, it's going to be being completely open about it. No more hiding or pretending, and I'll just have to accept any negative consequences. 

I can't go through this again.

Deleted User said:

Someone very senior (who I've known for 25 years) called me on the morning of my last day of work and told me to take leave and laid it on very thick that I'm very highly regarded and nobody would think any less of me for it.

That's brilliant but remember you've worked hard for and earned that respect.

Deleted User said:

It's all the random other people who don't know you well and don't understand why you're being "difficult". Well from now on I'm going to tell them,

That's what I found in my jobs - a diagnosis is very helpful here isn't it.

I think this is an excellent New Year's resolution.

Thanks Debbie,

Someone very senior (who I've known for 25 years) called me on the morning of my last day of work and told me to take leave and laid it on very thick that I'm very highly regarded and nobody would think any less of me for it. I nearly cried. I think I owe him an explanation at the very least, if he hasn't figured it out already. 

That's the thing - the people who know you and what you're capable of are likely to be understanding. It's all the random other people who don't know you well and don't understand why you're being "difficult". Well from now on I'm going to tell them,

Deleted User said:

If I have a new years resolution at all this year, it's going to be being completely open about it. No more hiding or pretending, and I'll just have to accept any negative consequences. 

I can't go through this again.

I'm sorry to hear this A. 

I'll just quote  myself from below here:

Debbie temp said:

In my jobs, I didn't know I was autistic but did have instances where I changed lighting and asked for music to be turned off. 

These requirements of mine that I now know made me vulnerable in the workplace, were sometimes supported but most often not.

I had a lot of time off sick from various jobs because of unmet needs and a few times where I walked out of a job in tears and had what I thought of as a 'breakdown'.

If I had been supported (ie my 'support needs' were recognised and respected) then I could have stayed in the jobs.

Challenges abound in work situations for us autistics.

I've had a LOT of jobs including years of temping.

I dearly hope that this works out well for you.

Deleted User said:

If I have a new years resolution at all this year, it's going to be being completely open about it. No more hiding or pretending, and I'll just have to accept any negative consequences. 

I can't go through this again.

I'm sorry to hear this A. 

I'll just quote  myself from below here:

Debbie temp said:

In my jobs, I didn't know I was autistic but did have instances where I changed lighting and asked for music to be turned off. 

These requirements of mine that I now know made me vulnerable in the workplace, were sometimes supported but most often not.

I had a lot of time off sick from various jobs because of unmet needs and a few times where I walked out of a job in tears and had what I thought of as a 'breakdown'.

If I had been supported (ie my 'support needs' were recognised and respected) then I could have stayed in the jobs.

Challenges abound in work situations for us autistics.

I've had a LOT of jobs including years of temping.

I dearly hope that this works out well for you.

Deleted User said:

Someone very senior (who I've known for 25 years) called me on the morning of my last day of work and told me to take leave and laid it on very thick that I'm very highly regarded and nobody would think any less of me for it.

That's brilliant but remember you've worked hard for and earned that respect.

Deleted User said:

It's all the random other people who don't know you well and don't understand why you're being "difficult". Well from now on I'm going to tell them,

That's what I found in my jobs - a diagnosis is very helpful here isn't it.

I think this is an excellent New Year's resolution.

Thanks Debbie,

Someone very senior (who I've known for 25 years) called me on the morning of my last day of work and told me to take leave and laid it on very thick that I'm very highly regarded and nobody would think any less of me for it. I nearly cried. I think I owe him an explanation at the very least, if he hasn't figured it out already. 

That's the thing - the people who know you and what you're capable of are likely to be understanding. It's all the random other people who don't know you well and don't understand why you're being "difficult". Well from now on I'm going to tell them,