Published on 12, July, 2020
A little bit about me.
I have a form of autism called Asperger Syndrome. For those unfamiliar with this condition, visit here: www.autism.org.uk/.../asperger.aspx.
I was only recently diagnosed with Asperger Syndrome. Throughout my childhood and while I was growing through to early adulthood, I experienced the symptons of Asperger's, although at the time I just thought I was socially inexperienced and I didn't think that I had a problem at the time. When I attempted to 'socialise', I found it etremely difficult and I was just quiet and 'pretended' I was doing something else so that I didn't look stupid.
Troughout my adulthood (and quite recently), my Asperger's has manifested from social awkwardness into complete isolation from other people. I even become anxious when someone I dont know comes near me, and I really struggle when there are groups of people.
I live 300 miles away from my family, so I am dealing with this condition on my own with no help what-so-ever, and I've come to the point where I need to get support or I'm going to severely struggle to care for myself.
One of the things that I really struggle with this condition is job interviews. People give me advice on 'how to calm my nerves', but for me it's more of a phobia; where some people's phobias are height, snakes etc, mind is socialising and job interviews. It gets to the point where my vision is blurred, difficulity breathing and I experiencing slight panic attacks.
People tend to judge because Asperger Syndrome isn't visible on the outside. For example, I'm currently claiming JSA and my advisor at the job centre is a real bully. She has already made the prejudicial opinion that I'm lazy and I have noreal problems, even though I have an official diagnoses of autism. She forces me to go into job agencies and 'talk' otherwise my claim will be sanctioned. For those of you who don't know what Asperger's is like, when one has axiety with people,it can induce panic attacks and affect your health. This is why I'm considering signing off and applying for ESA, because I cannot cope with theseanxiety attacks anymore.
ESA probably isn't an option either as I've heard some real horror stories with DWP and ATOS, and you have to be severely incapacited to be considered incapable of working. Like unable to pick up a kettle etc.
Life kinda sucks with zero help for my condition. I'm expected to cope on my own (I live alone), and when I do struggle to go to job interviews (I'm scared of those things), I will get sanctioned, which means less money, which will in turn affect my physical health. Oh, I forgot to mention, I suffer from Perthes Disease too, which affects my hips.
Any advice will be appreciated.
I would ask to see a Job Centre Plus Disdability Employment Advisor. My advisor has been helpful.
Work Choice, on the other hand, was a terrible experience. Despite knowing I have Asperger's, I was treated as though I had learning disabilities (for example, I was asked if wanted to go to the toilet) and they kept changing agreements, meeting times, etc. Work Choice was meant to help me obtain work trials rather than interviews but did not do so.
Regarding job interviews, I have an introductory document which is sent to the organisation upon being asked for an interview. The basic text of the document is shown below. If you think such a document may be of help, please feel free to use whatever you need in the text below.
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I live with the condition of Asperger's syndrome which is a lifelong disability and mostly a 'hidden disability', that is, you cannot tell someone has the condition from their outward appearance.
I, like other people with Asperger's syndrome, can make a valuable contribution to an organisation with the qualities we bring to a job, for example:
reliability;
conscientiousness and persistence;
accuracy;
close attention to detail and an ability to identify errors;
an ability to concentrate, without distraction, on a task for lengthy periods;
technical ability such as excellent IT skills;
detailed factual knowledge;
a high level of motivation.
Asperger's syndrome is a high-functioning autistic condition which affects the way a person sees the world, processes information, and interacts with other people; this means they:
usually have social communication difficulties, for example difficulty with 'reading' non-verbal communication;
are likely to be anxious in unfamiliar situations;
may dislike physical contact.
The key is to treat each person as an individual and avoid assumptions about their likely performance because they have Asperger's syndrome. For example I:
worked for XXXX for over XXXX years;
am capable of forming strong working relationships (more than XXXX years after leaving XXXX, I am still in contact with a number of ex-colleagues);
have received acknowledgement from all my managers of my ability to train and help develop team members.
Owing to the difficulties people with Asperger's syndrome face in communicating, I am unlikely to put myself forward well in an interview. Some of the problems I may face are:
finding it hard to think in abstract ways or considering 'what if?' scenarios;
being more comfortable with facts than hypotheses;
difficulty in judging how much information to give, especially if questions are 'open';
demonstrating enthusiasm for the role;
a general difficulty in 'selling' myself to potential employers.
In order to prevent me being discriminated against within an interview because of my disability, I would like you to consider the following reasonable adjustments please:
a work trial (a two-way placement evaluation) or a practical test relating to the role instead of an interview;
an informal visit prior to the interview;
notification of the questions or selection criteria prior to the interview;
within an interview, please consider the following:
providing more time for the interview;
being aware I may interpret language literally, for example asking 'How did you find your last job?' may result in an answer like 'I found it in the paper and sent off for an application form';
the asking of 'closed', rather than 'open', questions, for example instead of 'Tell me about yourself', try 'Tell me about your last job and what it involved';
the avoidance of hypothetical or abstract questions, for example instead of 'How would you cope with lots of interruptions?', try 'In your last job how did you cope when people interrupted you?';
the asking of questions based on my experience;
letting me know if I am providing too much detail.