How many with autism really want to work or are able to?

Hi,

I just received an email from the national autistic society as many of you probably have also. It is asking us to sign a petition to put pressure on the government for us to get 'jobs we deserve'.

It claims:

But 77% of unemployed autistic adults, or people responding on their behalf, told us they want to work.


This got me thinking. How many of those responding were only doing so on behalf of those with autism, without stating how the autistic person really felt. For example if you ask my mother, she would say I do want to work. Stating I can & should want to work. She will then quote her Christian beliefs to say it's an order. But personally I don't wish to work because I know it leaves me suicidal etc, no matter how much support I were to have.

Obviously I'm not signing the petition. But it could still be signed by those such as my mother, on behalf of those with autism. Making it of benefit to the economy, but of little benefit to many with autism.

The state already tries to force us to work & refuses to acknowledge that many of us can't. It stops our benefit, leaving us with nothing to live on, pay bills with nor council tax (which many are now forced to pay). I view my council tax, as a tax on me having autism! All this seems against human rights & even migrants here don't have to tolerate this. This petition could give a very dangerous get out of jail free card to government, to do even worse.

Parents
  • Hello Clairehig,

    We are all different.  I signed the petition.  

    As before I had my Son.  I loved to work it was the one thing that kept my depression under control.

     Since I had him I was never able to manage the two for various reasons.

    I feel that we all have different strengths & weaknesses.  You may not be able to work it doesn't make you less human.

    If I had the choice I would be working.  I crave my own independence but relying on benefits is limiting.  

    For me right now I want to move & can't because I have to think about how much housing benefit will be paid.  So I have to find a swap !

    I can't get legal help after being stalked & raped.  I can't get legal help after getting a dishonest diagnosis. Based on someone's disability discrimination.

    Benefit benefits severely asd people.  But I'm able to manage in life when getting support 

    I feel because of the cuts & other financial reasons.

    Plus societies stereotypes of asd these are barriers to some of us being more independent.

    At least I managed maintaining our homes since 16-39.  We moved 3 times because of others abuse. 

    Now because of our neighbours.  I have had to stay at my Mums. Which feels like losing my independence.  

    If I had my own financial independence I would have brought support to get justice & move.

    So yes work is important because you have to rely less on others.  

    No I don't feel it's more important then life.  So we shouldn't be defined by if you work or don't work.

Reply
  • Hello Clairehig,

    We are all different.  I signed the petition.  

    As before I had my Son.  I loved to work it was the one thing that kept my depression under control.

     Since I had him I was never able to manage the two for various reasons.

    I feel that we all have different strengths & weaknesses.  You may not be able to work it doesn't make you less human.

    If I had the choice I would be working.  I crave my own independence but relying on benefits is limiting.  

    For me right now I want to move & can't because I have to think about how much housing benefit will be paid.  So I have to find a swap !

    I can't get legal help after being stalked & raped.  I can't get legal help after getting a dishonest diagnosis. Based on someone's disability discrimination.

    Benefit benefits severely asd people.  But I'm able to manage in life when getting support 

    I feel because of the cuts & other financial reasons.

    Plus societies stereotypes of asd these are barriers to some of us being more independent.

    At least I managed maintaining our homes since 16-39.  We moved 3 times because of others abuse. 

    Now because of our neighbours.  I have had to stay at my Mums. Which feels like losing my independence.  

    If I had my own financial independence I would have brought support to get justice & move.

    So yes work is important because you have to rely less on others.  

    No I don't feel it's more important then life.  So we shouldn't be defined by if you work or don't work.

Children
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