Published on 12, July, 2020
Hello.. I'm new to the group and have suspected for a while that I am on the spectrum after working as an Autism Support Worker. I also have mental health problems and trying to get my voice heard is a challenge. Some of you have mentioned being passed pillar to post. My GP surgery doesn't seem to know who deals with Autism! But i finally (I think) have a referral.
I have lost jobs very quickly due to overwhelm and emotional breakdowns. I cry a lot. I struggle to cope with day to day life. Noise, bustle, people's tone of voice, thinking people are angry when they aren't, my mind going blank, not being able to multitask. I avoid people even at home with my parents. Yet I can come across as cheerful and articulate a lot of the time.
I feel my future is bleak and I will not be able to hold down a job. I am capable of much more but this thing is getting in the way.
I'm so worried i will lose my current job as a Health Care Assistant. My manager thinks because i am often upset i am not coping. She doesn't understand. The in-house trainer politely asked me if i had considered if i was autistic. I said yes and thought it was highly likely. So I put the wheels in motion.
I feel so broken and weird and frightened and confused and misunderstood. So I came here!
Hi Adria .. welcome from me too
.. I'm 15 years into knowing that I'm ASD/AS .. it was a self-diagnosis but I'm 100% certain (ASQ:49,EQ:4) .. and reading the stories on here confirms that
.. I've never 'come out' with work folk or even my network of acquaintances (only 3 people including my daughter)
.. It's been a long haul and still there are down days, but now I can happily say that I'm on top of it .. I laugh at events and situations more then ever I did .. I've 'learned the rules' of the NT world sufficiently well that I can function just fine (well I reckon so :-) )
.. I tell jokes a lot (one way connection you see) .. I'm happy giving public talks and even 1:1 teaching (I'm in control of the interaction you see)
.. and very happily for me I've built a self-employed career out of my special interest - I so I get to be in control of my own time and am largely in control of any conversations I have with others
.. it's a continuing process of course but I can really say that right now I'm content with my lot
.. Hang in there .. it gets easier .. and keep chatting on here .. already I'm feeling part of a like minded community .. :-)