Stress & Finding a Job

Yes, this is a bit of a hijack but I want the OP to see opportunites as well as problems.

OK, I should have said "kindle a dream" rather than "rekindle a dream".

I haven't said kindle a dream of being "normal" or the same as everyone else. I think you should kindle a dream of being "you". Autism does close doors and takes things away and it does reduce our ability to do some of the things that a lot of people take for granted. I don't think it really adds anything obvious, life is harder work for us than other people.

But, autism doesn't destroy you, it hasn't obliterated every skill and talent that you have. Your writing is very clear and expressive, you are not intellectually disabled, you have all of your senses even if some of them are over sensitive.

I suspect you can be obsessive. Another word for this is dogged and persistent. This is a talent that can be useful in some jobs. Attention to detail is listed as a requirement on lots of job ads.

I suspect that you are sensitive and caring.

I suspect that you are honest and straightforward.

I suspect that you think about things a lot.

These are not exceptional talents that make us special or savant like or anything but they can be channeled into a fulfilling and satisfactory life where you can achieve things.

For me, one of the tricks is to recognise that these traits make you suited to some roles more than others. Some roles are completely unsuitable for someone with ASD but other roles are particularly suitable. Many people can cope with doing lots of different jobs but we are harder to place in a suitable role. Don't try and force yourself uncomfortably into a role that doesn't suit. Don't try and make a square peg fit in a round hole.

In the OP's case, I simply don't know whether retail is a good role for all people with ASD - I suspect that it can work if you recognise where your limitations are and if you don't have a burning desire to be a people manager. Good sales people can use the talents I have listed above. If you are straightforward and the customer feels that they can trust you then they will like to deal with you. If you are thoughtful and can consider lots of different ways that they can use your products then this is good. I imagine that a retail renvironment that might be better for ASD would be a quiet shop without loud music, where you would not be on your own but would have colleagues to help you when you get stuck, where your boss values your integrity and honesty, where your boss is not a mean and critical control freak.

Yes, this is a bit of a hijack but I want the OP to see opportunites as well as problems.

OK, I should have said "kindle a dream" rather than "rekindle a dream".

I haven't said kindle a dream of being "normal" or the same as everyone else. I think you should kindle a dream of being "you". Autism does close doors and takes things away and it does reduce our ability to do some of the things that a lot of people take for granted. I don't think it really adds anything obvious, life is harder work for us than other people.

But, autism doesn't destroy you, it hasn't obliterated every skill and talent that you have. Your writing is very clear and expressive, you are not intellectually disabled, you have all of your senses even if some of them are over sensitive.

I suspect you can be obsessive. Another word for this is dogged and persistent. This is a talent that can be useful in some jobs. Attention to detail is listed as a requirement on lots of job ads.

I suspect that you are sensitive and caring.

I suspect that you are honest and straightforward.

I suspect that you think about things a lot.

These are not exceptional talents that make us special or savant like or anything but they can be channeled into a fulfilling and satisfactory life where you can achieve things.

For me, one of the tricks is to recognise that these traits make you suited to some roles more than others. Some roles are completely unsuitable for someone with ASD but other roles are particularly suitable. Many people can cope with doing lots of different jobs but we are harder to place in a suitable role. Don't try and force yourself uncomfortably into a role that doesn't suit. Don't try and make a square peg fit in a round hole.

In the OP's case, I simply don't know whether retail is a good role for all people with ASD - I suspect that it can work if you recognise where your limitations are and if you don't have a burning desire to be a people manager. Good sales people can use the talents I have listed above. If you are straightforward and the customer feels that they can trust you then they will like to deal with you. If you are thoughtful and can consider lots of different ways that they can use your products then this is good. I imagine that a retail renvironment that might be better for ASD would be a quiet shop without loud music, where you would not be on your own but would have colleagues to help you when you get stuck, where your boss values your integrity and honesty, where your boss is not a mean and critical control freak.