Seeking a diagnosis in middle age

so, as an american, i think autism can qualify one for permanent, lifelong disability from the government - (altho i'm not positive). but, does the uk make special dispensations for asd? it sounds like friendly alien is not dysfunctional enough to NOT be employed, but i'm wondering about others.... in particular, being unemployed for 11 years (markd) would make job hunting quite hard, even for an NT! well, another option is just to try to get out of the rat race, and wait for old age support (here we call it social security). like, living really simply, giving up on the shiny baubles (i've mainly done that), learning to manage money, etc.... it's just a suggestion. but with limited resources, i guess many are already doing this - out of necessity. happy december..........

Hello Friendly Alien. I have not worked now for over 11 years. I worked for the DWP, and was on a last written warning for all my sickness time taken. I eventually thought it would be best to resign, rather than getting the sack, with a view to future employment chances. I was working in an open-plan office with over 100 others = no relief from stress, ever. It was only after I stopped working that I went back into mental health services, who suggested assessment for Autism. So in a way, I look back and have to think that it helped me not being in work at the time. 

If it might be possible, maybe you could think about finding a future position where you could work from home? It seems these days everything (well, most things) are done online, so might be worth considering?

Take care and best wishes

Thank you. I'm glad that you had some good outcomes 

Awesome. Thank you!

best of luck w getting a diagnosis.... it can be pretty challenging after you get one. but for me, it's led to more successful therapy, as my therapists all specialize in asd. a diagnosis might lead to finding out certain strengths you have --- and weaknesses. it can be pretty good insight. i guess i'd say it's like looking at the ocean (before diagnosis) and after diagnosis, you can see what is under the surface. less guessing, more knowledge... 

then u start searching for waterfall + testing 

or 

Agile + testing

here is couple of links that took 3 seconds to find using google

huddle.eurostarsoftwaretesting.com/.../

https://huddle.eurostarsoftwaretesting.com/resources/agile-testing/

in agile the developer write code for each user story

I then test that each user story works

after couple of sprints ( 2 week burst of code development )

I check the whole thing works altogether ( end to end )

I also do Exploratory testing when i get spare time.

There is no end of testing you can do and u nvere have enough time

for example when u  have tested functionally all is ok we go on to Load testing to see what happen when a 1000 people attempt to use the software at once.

There is also security testing we dont do that. its very specialist ( hacker type stuff ) and very highly paid ( hint hint )

One thing there is also Automated testing whereby you write code to test the application. These tests ( code that pretends to be a person ) then can be run every night as the project proceeds.

the code is called Selenium ( webdriver ) in java but it is available in other languages eg javascript/python

Automated testers are paid same as developers

I am a manual tester the lowest paid IT people

thats a 10 minute run over have a look around the web and see what you find and after reading more u are free to ask more questions

thats a huge question

it depends on the methodology used

its usually 

Waterfall

or

Agile

you need to know about then for software development.

Sorry for pumping you for information, but if you can "point me in the right direction", that would be great.

Where should I start with software testing?

I've "tested" my own applications, but not in a systematic way.

Thank you for all your help

go for it 

> Search for tester positions. its a good way in.

This is definitely something I want to look into. A "foot in the door" so to speak!

> you have people skills 

Not really. I have "masking skills" lol.

from your reply i think u're a good programmer. 

Javascript is everywhere and gaining ground.

u need to know OO programming, and SQL.

we use java where i work but we took on a new javscript guy and hes does magic tricks on our software

if you where good at         html5/javascript / css  u could freelance at creating websites 

even using wordpress to create websites for locals could be side line

i would start searching for work everywhere now for trainee positions. Also search for tester positions. its a good way in.

i would go with javascript/html/css and creating a website which u can send to people as "what I can do "

I am pretty convinced u can make it into programming ....or indeed  to teaching programming

you have people skills so thats ( use that word all the time ) useful in IT. Create a CV and apply everywhere.

Talk to recruitment agencies, and register with them.

some companies, will be recruiting in the new year. some are starting now. I had a Microsoft teams job interview last week. Didnt get the job but I tried

i do hope u make it

Aidie,

> option 1. go get a diagnosis but don't tell anyone

I realise that many people get diagnosed as a way of understanding themselves better, but for me, the motive would be to help others understand me better instead.

> I work with 4 developers everyday. Its a fast, stressful job. We are flat out on a covid 19 related software that needs to be completed ASAP.

Awesome. Its very gratifying to hear that you work in IT. That gives me hope!

> what programming language ?

On my GitHub there is some C, C++, C#, Bash, Python, JavaScript and mark-up.

I have a GitHub Sponsor for the project in C 

$5 US a month. Wooo lol.

I'm very comfy deploying front-end stuff to Netlify, but I'm a long way from being able to deploy a full-stack project with a database, authentication etc.

I'm working on that though...

> if u are well off, do an IT degree.

I'm not that well off.

I was struggling financially until the government increased my benefits by 20% during the pandemic. Now, I live more comfortably. But I'm a long way from being well off.

> have u thought of doing some IT qualifications ? 

With the recent improvement in my finances, that is a possibility now.

At one time, I thought about Linux sysadmin training, but with everything moving to the cloud, maybe not?

Any suggestions?

> Option 2 after 2 years in your next job

That would be too late for me. I can't see myself masking effectively for two years.

> look out for civil service recruitment for all civil service positions and for their IT department

My UC Work Coach suggested training as a Work Coach and he put me on a fully-funded one week training course on how to apply for the EO jobs.

I took the course, applied when the jobs came online, but didn't make it past the initial MCQ test screening.

Of course, the questions I failed on were all soft skills...

> this is probably the worst time i have ever seen to be looking for a job so don't be too hard on yourself.

Yes, of course.

I don't take the pandemic personally.

If anything, the extra money I have received from the government has lifted my morale a bit.

:)

> what have you worked at before?

Many, many years ago...retail loss prevention and other security jobs.

More recently, call centre and admin temp jobs.

Blue,

For call centres, I definitely think that is the case.

Employees are completely disposable and there is a constant churn of staff.

As I say, I never "stuck my neck out" on any issue at work before because they will fire people on all sorts of pretexts.

So yes, low skills jobs are a complete no-no.

That's why I no longer apply for them :)

this is the catch 22 with a diagnosis of autism.

its good to find out but do u even mention it to an employer ?

My employers didnt know what to do and over reacted.

they had just been hacked by an autistic 14 year old boy which did damage to our organisation

anyways

ok option 1. go get a diagnosis but dont tell anyone

 keep at you programming. i work with 4 developers everyday its a fast, stressful job. we are flat out on a covid 19 related software that needs completed ASAP.

I dont know how good you are programming so please describe what you can do programming wise

what programming language ?

if u are well off do a IT degree.

have u thought of doing some IT qualifications ? 

Option 2 after 2 years in your next job

go get a diagnosis and decide then if u are going to tell your employer

other ideas

look out for civil service recruitment for all civil service positions and for their IT department

do the recruitment assessment tests

they now have an autism friendly team within their IT and have policies etc

if u get in there its flexible work and a union and reasonable help.

Also more woman friendly.

apprenticeships

take a look at these as well but even they made need GCSEs

finally

this is probably the worst time i have ever seen to be looking for a job so dont be too hard on yourself.

what have u worked at before ?

I am going to be honest with you.

This question come up quite often, the fact that most of us are forced to apply for entry level positions/Zero Hours that accept us because they are desperate for employees, If you make any request for reasonable adjustments because of your autism you are usually managed out. Employers often give you less and less hours each week until they put you in a compromising position of not earning enough to survive which stresses you out and excavates you negative behaviours relating to your autism until they fire you. 

Most of us have had interview over the years where if you mention that you have autism they immediately through your resume in the bin when leaving the interview, It's not subtle. 

You will also have interviews to humor you because you mentioned you have autism, the employer will do false interview with you to keep the equal opportunity statis. Typical employers open to disabilities will only hire one member of staff with a disability to make them look good.

You age is also going to impair your job hunting, You have been unemployed the last four years and your over the age of 45 with no up to date qualification and relevant experience. most employers will view you as an expensive under 25 year old and will hire them because their health will be better, and their minimum wage is a lot less. 

Thank you!

Yes, the NHS is a bit swamped at the moment.

Figuring out how to broach the issue with employers is something I am taking seriously now. Simply masking as I have done in the past, will not work long term.

Hi, the waiting list for a diagnosis is long. Mine took about 2 years. Its worth knowing though to try understand yourself better. Good luck with the future employment goal.