I have been in my job for just over a year, I love it, I feel really lucky to work on something relating to my main interest and in a very supportive (mainstream) environment.
It has taken until I am in my 40s to get a proper, permanent job where I am able to fully support myself financially and make a contribution to society by paying taxes.
There have been some ups and downs. I did not disclose asd at interview, but i think they knew there was something going on. I was extremely lucky to get the job as the agency they used did a really odd advert and none else applied!
I did tell them once i started after my line manager made some (supportive) hints that they knew.
But recently I have been upset at work a few times because of changes in the routine and lots of unknown random contractors installing new systems making everything a bit chaotic. I have been finding it more difficult to be with everyone else at break times and am finding it difficult to feel like I belong again. But I am really trying.
The managers and everyone have been really supportive but I am getting scared that I will be too much for them.
I think sometimes I can be too much for other people and they don't understand that I will not suddenly not be me but some new and improved person. In general people base all their knowledge of asd on tik tok videos and think that it is just a few quirky personality traits.
Everyone at work is very busy and, while they do make time for me, I don't feel like I should be asking for help every time I feel bad. I have been thinking that it would be helpful to have someone else more specialised to help me cope instead of random chats when people have time. I do really appreciate the help they give me, but I don't think they fully understand what is going on.
I don't really know what would help the situation. I do know about access to work but they have a really long waiting list and I assume the company would have to make a big contribution. They do have some kind of occupational health extremely company but as far as I know they offer 6 weeks counselling which i don't really think it's what I need either.
I have not had any kind of nhs or social services input for 7 or 8 years now. I know the NHS is struggling and I will not be any kind of priority. I did think maybe there would be some kind of group in the area but I don't think any of them are applicable to me (either for children, young people or people with more complex needs).
Has anyone had any useful help in work? Are they're any services I have not heard or thought of?
Reluctant to give an exact location other than Scotland.