New to NAS

Hi Eleanor,

My name is Adrian. I was diagnosed with autism (pervasive developmental disorder not otherwise specified) at the age of 3. part of my autism, i have lots of anxiety disorder, OCD, repetitive behaviour, social integration deficit and delay development. my special interest are Disney characters, costumed characters and anything in the 19th century especially the fairy tale or folklore culture part. I lives in Dublin, Ireland and was born in Dublin. My parent are originally from Hong Kong.In my spare time, I play with Disney figurines, draw picture and listening to classical music and sometime when it's sunny outside of my neighbourhood, i go out and play with friends. most of my friends are young children as i don't like getting on with my peers as my peers are very complicated. my peers world are completely boring to me. part of my autism, i loves playing figurine and imaginary games and most kids loves these things so that's why I can get on well with the children. Well I also can get on well with other who also has autism and their world are similar to my world or myself. My happiest time in my life is going to Disneyland and play with the costumed characters there as I love the feel of the costume characters, like petting a real teddy. So I go there every twice a year. 

So what is your special interest?

I am autistic and I have worked in education for 37 years. Have you considered looking on the National Autistic Website for jobs? They are very supportive of those of us who have a diagnosis and wish to work in different areas. For example, they run schools for autism where your musical training will be an asset. If you are uncomfortable about applying for a job why not look on the NAS website for the email of the person in HR at Head Office. You can email your qualifications and ask if there is any support you could have to aim for that dream job or whether she knows of any particular jobs in your area that would suit your qualifications. She will be able to look at providers and provide contact with them if you would rather discuss your position/qualifications/ability/needs. Remember also that if you are not confident about experience you can request working with a class as a volunteer. Being a volunteer in a school provides you with experience to decide whether this job is for you, as well as experience to apply for those dream jobs and get round the issue you describe about experience. As a retired Assistant Principal I am happy to support you in ways forward if you would wish this,but at the moment I would suggest the NAS. May you find happiness, fruitfulness and positive steps, and remember that to be the person we want to be we may have to jump over hurdles but that dream job is there for us if we remove the glass ceiling we think others are placing above us. There are ways forward but it is relevant to what you want to do and how you want to do it. I send you my kind regards.

Hi

It's Eleanor again. So good news is  that I've now officially graduated from university and am currently looking for work. But I do have an interview at Café Nero later this week, it's not exactly my dream job, but hopefully I get it not just to earn some money, but to get something extra for my CV. See, I graduated with a music degree and my dream career is to be either a specialist music teacher for schools or a music therapist. Unfortunately though, I have little job experience and need to go on another course to get the right training and experience.

With that being said, I also aim to fit in music performance somewhere on the line. I play clarinet, piano and voice. I even did Music Performance for my big project in my final year at uni, and I got a mark of 78. Unfortunately, I'm quite rusty on clarinet and piano as I'm rubbish at practising on a regular basis, not to mention a leering habit of procrastination. I'm serious, I really need to up my game, and hopefully if I get that job maybe book a few lessons on the piano and save up for a new clarinet, as I've had my old one since I was 8, which was when I first started.

Again, I'm seriously hoping that I get this job, as for the past few months I've really had trouble finding employment. Almost every job I've applied for has turned me down simply because "you don't have enough experience". Seriously, I apply for these jobs to GET EXPERIENCE, how can they not understand that? Has anyone dealt with this problem? If so, any ideas on how to navigate the problem? 

Don't worry, you'll hear more from me soon. 

xxx

With you on the light sensitivity and horrific smell of baked beans! Welcome to the forum :) 

It is never too late to write a novel. Although you may prefer to write a memoir or autobiography, as I am doing although it always seems to get put to one side when I get to the tricky bits.

You can always write it in the style of a novel.

Hello Eleanor, I'm new here too and I really don't know what to expect.  I suspect I'm quite a bit older than most around here but I don't see why that shouls make a difference. I grew up in the dark days when the condition really wasn't understood so I really went through the mill.

Hoping to meet and chat with new friends and soulmates of all ages. I don't bite, well, I used to get in all sorts of trouble by going off on one but I'm much better now!

Hello and welcome to the community!

Oh, and another big one for me. Putting emotional stuff in writing is much easier than discussing it with words. And I guess on that front, find someone who you can be yourself with.

Hello and welcome. It is too late for me to start writing a novel on how I have got through life, and I am all out of putting out positive vibes now as I've been at it for a couple of hours now. However, some very simple rules that worked for me:

If you don't like friends, they are not friends, don't hang around with them and find new friends.

If you don't get on with a partner, finish it and move on.

If you don't like a job, find a new one and find one that you really enjoy because you will then do well at it.

Enjoy life. That's what it is all about. If you are not enjoying life, change things.

Try new things, many things and try to find things that bring you enjoyment. You may not stick at things for too long, but you will likely find some things that you can keep doing on and off.

Don't rely on drink and drugs. They bring their own problems.

Try to find people that you are similar to or enjoy similar things with.

Don't expect too much from people. Most people are rubbish at doing everything well. If you expect too much from people you will be disappointed.

Plan things. It reduces stress.

Allow plenty of time for things. It reduces stress and allows you to get into things.

When things are too complicated, break them down into smaller definable steps.

Try to smile about something each day, even if you have to force it, and it can be small simple things.

Enjoy music that stirs your emotions.

Learn new things.

As you said, one day at a time is usually a good way to be.

Look forward. You cannot change the past so do not dwell on it, but you can control your future so make the most of it.

Meditation, relaxation and progressive relaxation is good.

Probably just me but watching snooker in bed is fab for getting to sleep... 8)

I could probably go on all night, but I hardly got any sleep last night so I need to go and try get some now. All the best for the future. Make the most of it and enjoy it.

You aw very welcome. What Bookworm say.

Hi Elanor, and welcome to the forum, you've come to the right place the issues you raised we all feel that, if you have any questions ask away.