what kind of work do people do?

NAS62261 said:

But, I didn't gel with the growing team … so where I would have become third in line, it was let go for this and probably other discriminatory reasons. 

This is so hard and a major stumbling block.  I was always better at working independently too but during change and reorganisation it always seemed to be the people skills and level of integration into the team that mattered.  Some training in this area much earlier on in life might have helped, both increasing my skills and altering my expectations.  

Yes, plus I also believe there's a need to train or coach the coaches (parents, carers, significant others) and, in cases like ours, tailor it individually and take account of the ways in which autism is affecting major life transitions.  

In our case we did start at the earliest age (plus my husband and sister are both trained teachers - nursery, primary and secondary - so very aware of general needs) but the transitions from age 16 onwards were so difficult and ultimately traumatic that it feels as though we're back to square one and reparenting young adults in their early twenties.  This was mainly, i think, due to undiagnosed autism which meant there was no awareness and no additional support at a critical time.  So we are now talking reparation work after a period in which, although things may have been lining up OK from an NT perspective, inherent autistic needs were overlooked and the whole edifice came tumbling down in the form of severe breakdown, depression and massive social anxiety. 

One thing I'm prepared for it for it to take a fairly long time.  I can remember my own struggles at the same age all too clearly and, with hindsight and also my later awareness of autism (diagnosed last year at 55) I can see that many of my mistakes and difficulties were due to undiagnosed autism.  I consequently only started to thrive in the workplace after literally decades of masking in a role that was a very poor fit for me but which probably seemed, from the outside, to be the "good job" our teachers promised for "working hard".     

I can strongly relate to that feeling of being in a hurry.  I've always felt that way and it's been a mixed blessing - accelerating my learning and development but at the same time increasing my natural tendency towards anxiety.  Again, autism awareness could have helped with that.      

Hi Jenny: I am sure you have tried everything, and the next generation is definitely living their "own" lives, but I am a strong believer in teaching … I prefer to use the word "coaching" those in the next generation.  Start from an early age … of course, the next generation must be able to grasp the idea of career, and the meaning of career is simply to be able to care for oneself.  I, myself, learned this well into my 20s, and I am embarrassed to say that I was around the age of 26 or later.  But, I was taught that I had to earn enough money to buy my own soap, toothpaste, tooth brush, etc...etc...  This would build up to getting to a point to be able to earn enough to care for myself in the much larger sense.  To care for oneself, provides a little bit of independence.  This must be taught as soon as possible.  I think most of us have the ability to understand, but it must be coached as we grow older.  I am a big believer in role-playing. As other's have stated above, I too have the ability to simplify things so that everyone can understand.  Unfortunately, I've come to realize that NTs may not want the simplification version because they want the discussion to be continued.  Most of us Autistic people are in a hurry, and therefore, the immediate simplification because we don't understand what is being communicated through conversation, or maybe we just aren't interested in the subjects outside of our comprehension.  I used to work in a "corporate" setting, and was allowed to work independently.  But, I didn't gel with the growing team … so where I would have become third in line, it was let go for this and probably other discriminatory reasons.  Anyways, the young need to be coached, and provided opportunities to role play.  

what subject do you teach?

You definitely have lots of stills and a lot to offer. I enjoyed reading your posts on this forum. It seems that you are very knowledgeable and intelligent. I liked how you informed us of the AS/NT DART research, as well as how you organised all our comments on how to improve adult AS services. 

By the way, I also know someone who is doing a part-time masters while also working part-time for the disability centre in university. Your experience as a mental health nurse might be suitable for that role if you are interested in something like this. I think they also provide training to the workers. 

I'm sure you have a talent to gain lots of academic knowledge about ASD or brain stuff :)

It's interesting that autism falls under learning disability. I've been applying for jobs lately, and they often have a disability survey at the end, and autism is often put into cognitive impairment (and they put ADHD and dyslexia under learning disability). 

Did you need to study for another nursing degree after you did you undergraduate psychology to be a mental health nurse? 

A 8 year part-time PhD is definitely possible. I know some people doing part-time, and it seems great as there seems to be less time pressure.

Thanks for introducing me to this show. It sounds interesting.

I can understand how you're feeling and how difficult it is can people either disbelief or disregard your difficulties. I am similar to you and my life would have been easier if I could have gotten a diagnosis earlier.  I understand very well the feeling of loss and damage the many years of accumulated misunderstanding from others is like. And, I can see that the NHS/employer/DWP system is very confusing and it can be difficult to get help and adjustments.

...I don't know if I'll ever get back to work now, I can't describe how utterly depleted I am, I had hoped that this time (last job/'career') things would work out but my level of being able to interact and 'cope' with people is so bad...I even struggle to work with those who offer support...I think I need to shut myself off from all contact but I can't even work out how to do that...even here on this forum is difficult and in some ways the 'masking' is still prevalent, maybe that's why this is so draining too...I think I've had my lifetimes limit...sorry if this has gone off topic a bit.

Nursing is a complete nightmare. Too much time spent covering your butt and too much paperwork. Agency work is good. Then you can pick and choose when and where you work. I'll PM you the Agency I work for.

Its never too late, wait till your youngest is in school then you never know?

Im thinking of branching out to podietry but Im just toying with the idea at the moment. Nursing isnt getting any easier, patients are much more complex with more co morbidities and the NHS purse strings are getting tighter and tighter. Whats happend to me has been a real wake up call, maybe ill get oht of the NHS and just do agency?

Frustrating isn't it. I used to spend hours as a kid mainly on the piano.... Really miss it as I love music.

Oh, no idea, but no mounty in NX

Snap! I was really gifted with music as a child but seem to have got very very out of practice now!

Strange question was that the one with the mounty or was that due south?

Wow impressive, I like the idea of being a classical misician. When I was a kid I had a really gòod ear for music and could play something on most instruments but I've found with age I seem to have lost the gift.

Im and RGN, registerd general nurse, I'm not going to say which branch as I don't really want to identify myself, problems at work, been doing the job 16 years, very rewarding but can be challenging and stressful also sometimes emotionally daining but by and large I enjoy it.

Hello qwerty, It's a TV series from the 90's called 'Northern Exposure', season 5 episode 14, 'Bolt from the Blue'. It's about a Jewish Doctor who ends up practising for 4 years in Alaska to repay his student loans after qualifying. Although filmed in Roslyn, Washington and not Alaska.Roslyn's is the name of the cafe too in the series named after the founders of the town of Cicely in the series. 

The characters are terrific and it's timeless. I've not had a TV for well over 20 years, was never a 'TV' person, but I loved that and have the boxset.

When I have been away from home and been around a TV I always have a look at the channel guide to see if its the same things still running and it always is, I'll then watch it for five minutes on any channel to see if it still makes me feel the same, and it does, I find it utterly depressing and other things I can't really describe but it's all bad feelings for humanity.

I'm a teacher, secondary school.