From "professional" to "autistic"... where do I go now?

I'm so sorry you had to leave your job I can't imagine how you must be feeling but you are on the best forum for moral support

Totally agree, we are in the same profession,  although different specialisms, I totally agree, I was and am competent at my job but being AS also comes with it a lack of self confidence probably due to years of  misunderstandings

I’m sorry to hear that you had to leave your job, what happened?

My diagnosis was made after I'd had to leave my job. Leaving my job was v difficult at that time.

I’m also in a helping profession and autistic. Getting a diagnosis can throw up a lot of self doubt about our ability to do our job. I guess in reality we’re no less able to do our job than we were prior to being diagnosed. I do still doubt myself though, should I really be doing this job when I’ve got all this neurological stuff going on? 

I agree that lists are great!!

I much prefer writing the 'to do' lists until they're neat and then I file them away!!! I mostly never actually do the 'things to do'!!!

I did that - I've got millions of bits of paper and there's lots of things I can theoretically be excellent at - but I know I couldn't do it in the real world.

I became a technical specialist to avoid managing people.  I did it in the past but found it incredibly stressful dealing with all their odd behaviours.

Techy stuff doesn't lie or take fake sickies or have off-days depending on their mood.

I can certainly identify with what you said Teasel, up until my diagnosis a few years ago, I used to do training in my own time and my own expense to get more qualifications and improve to my skills, in the hope that it would lead to a better job etc, but my after my diagnosis and reading about autism, I realised that I had probably been wasting my time, as my autism related problems would prevent me from fully using the extra skills to get a much better job.  Since then I have focussed on trying to get round my autism related problems.

Thank you for replying x

I've now been out of my job for... 3 yrs... wow - time flies!! I completely lack the confidence to go back in to it. I don't miss it at all.

Ok just looked at that, can see why you bought the Kindle ed instead.

www.amazon.co.uk/.../ref=sr_1_8

No its got to be paper I have kindle app on my tablet but hate it I love the experience of a book the pages the smell everything, I'll get it on Amazon New and used they are usually cheap.

Have to work out if it can be shared in/on Kindle Books

I need to borrow that when you've finished it. lol

Do not look at your diagnosis as the problem but as the point where you start your new journey.

You know what you are good at, your strengths, and if like @Plastic and myself (nerdy engineers/geeks) then start small and build up your confidence on the little things you can do.  I know it takes time to re-build confidence, enthusiasm and motivation from what appears a car crash although you can use it to your advantage.  

Make some notes/lists and when you do one add a tick/mark (x ticks demonstrates you have achieved something.

I am stopped in reading the new Victoria Honeybourne book "A Practical Guide to Happiness in Adults on the Autism Spectrum" at the point I need to make a list.  Once I am ready then I will write the list and carry on through it.

A diagnosis can really destroy your confidence when you thought you were doing ok (with a few problems) and all of a sudden, you're told you're 'faulty'.

I'm a nerdy engineer in a niche industry so my diagnosis explained to me why I hate people interferring with me so much.   Their lack of ability and muddled thinking used to really grind my gears.

I knew that I was still the same person - but my dealings with others 'needed work'.

I was lucky that I could avoid people most of the time with my job - which no-one understood or could help me with anyway.

What areas of your job have you lost confidence with?

Are there any side'jobs and support roles available to you that would better suit your frame of mind and allow you to feel useful again?

Hi and welcome. You'll find some great support here, you've come to the right place.

From "depression and anxiety", (for over a decade), to "autistic"...

I am 40 yrs old, and have just been diagnosed with "autism level 1"... It explains some of my past. I used to work, then, had to choose to leave my job. I have now lost all confidence to go back to working amongst other people. I don't trust that I am 'acceptable' any more.