finding work

Hi TreacleSandwich,

There isn't enough known about the job finding and job retaining issues for people on the spectrum, despite this Coalition Government being so cocky that we can all work with a nudge.

Two things make it harder to acquire understanding. The research emphasis seems to be on getting people into work who cannot, rather than helping people who can work stay in work. Secondly there is still an attitude that if you are able to hold down a career you don't have autism. I suspect a lot of people on the spectrum who are coping in workplaces aren't included in the 15% claimed by NAS.

My advice would be to try to defuse negatives. By that I mean you have identified previous experience of difficulty (12 years on it has improved a bit), the feeling you've been blacklisted owing to whistleblowing (until you know for sutre, try not to let it worry you, and you do have legal recourse if that sort of thing is going on).

Also do sign on, in order to get the system up and running - should you need to request benefits.

Maths and Computing with 12 years experience iif your NHS work was computing related, are good credentials. But try not to restrict yourself to NHS which is in a mess (Coalition Government again), and not an easy world to find jobs in. There is scope work work in a number of sectors using computing: local authorities, energy companies and other utilities eg water (and their contractors), industry including defence engineering, business systems, education......

Try contacting the relevant Sector Skills Councils (also mucked about by the Coalition Government as part of their apprenticeship scheme but traceable, try FISSS Federation of Industry Skills and Standards). Sector Skills Councils advise on training in different industries, but can also be used to find jobs. There are several that cover computing applications.

Meanwile get legal advice via Citizens Advice Bureau, or a solicitor you know, as you need to follow up on whether you were unlawfully dismissed.

There is a lot of information on the NAS web pages about job seeking. I don't personally agree with some of it, but it may help you to explore the practical suggestions.

Hi TreacleSandwich,

There isn't enough known about the job finding and job retaining issues for people on the spectrum, despite this Coalition Government being so cocky that we can all work with a nudge.

Two things make it harder to acquire understanding. The research emphasis seems to be on getting people into work who cannot, rather than helping people who can work stay in work. Secondly there is still an attitude that if you are able to hold down a career you don't have autism. I suspect a lot of people on the spectrum who are coping in workplaces aren't included in the 15% claimed by NAS.

My advice would be to try to defuse negatives. By that I mean you have identified previous experience of difficulty (12 years on it has improved a bit), the feeling you've been blacklisted owing to whistleblowing (until you know for sutre, try not to let it worry you, and you do have legal recourse if that sort of thing is going on).

Also do sign on, in order to get the system up and running - should you need to request benefits.

Maths and Computing with 12 years experience iif your NHS work was computing related, are good credentials. But try not to restrict yourself to NHS which is in a mess (Coalition Government again), and not an easy world to find jobs in. There is scope work work in a number of sectors using computing: local authorities, energy companies and other utilities eg water (and their contractors), industry including defence engineering, business systems, education......

Try contacting the relevant Sector Skills Councils (also mucked about by the Coalition Government as part of their apprenticeship scheme but traceable, try FISSS Federation of Industry Skills and Standards). Sector Skills Councils advise on training in different industries, but can also be used to find jobs. There are several that cover computing applications.

Meanwile get legal advice via Citizens Advice Bureau, or a solicitor you know, as you need to follow up on whether you were unlawfully dismissed.

There is a lot of information on the NAS web pages about job seeking. I don't personally agree with some of it, but it may help you to explore the practical suggestions.