I am 32, I have ASD and I am really struggling to find a job that gives me enough hours to allow me to sign off from JSA.
Around the time when I was doing the autism assessments, I was in teacher training. Long story, but the University got wind that I *may* have ASD and they were not pleased. In short, I was excluded from finishing my course, encouraged to take a lesser qualification and it was strongly suggested that teaching was not for me. This was before any diagnosis and, although I would have liked to have thought this attitude was unique to the institution, on the rare occasions I have disclosed my condition, I am met with the same treatment. I have been out of work since November, but supported myself with savings and the tiny amount of earnings I get from my classroom assistant job (it is supply work and I suspect I only got it because there was no interview). I had to sign on because my savings were depleted and there is no work over the summer, but I really need to find something that has guaranteed hours as I also have a little boy to support.
I have applied for literally hundreds of jobs since November. I never disclose my condition on application forms or at interviews, contrary to the advice given by my psychologist. I think my bad experience at the University has knocked my confidence. I have real trouble with eye contact (apparently a sensory processing issue...), I dislike touch so shaking hands in interviews is a cause of anxiety, I struggle with speaking on the phone which sometimes disrupts the application process, and then there's the general anxiety itself which is just a daily struggle - not just in job searching. Despite all of this, I have never been out of work or full time education in my entire adult life and I am growing increasingly frustrated that I can't seem to get ANYTHING even though I am applying for everything under the sun (except anything where one of the main duties is answering the phone!).
Can anyone give any advice on how I can approach this more efficiently? Is it better to disclose or not disclose? Should I make efforts to improve my eye contact at the expense of not being able to listen to what the other person is saying (I can't do both)? How do I stay motivated when I am met with consistent rejection?
Any advice greatly appreciated.