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
  • Hey Vometia,


    Reading your post was a breath of fresh air in that I too fell apart last year (45) and ended up agreeing to leave my company because I was struggling with all the politics within the workplace.

    I was diagnosed with ADHD 5 years ago however, I have struggled with the diagnosis - was put on meds that didn't agree with me and stopped for 4 years and tried them again last year when my son was diagnosed with ADHD and Atypical Autism - so went on them for a year and found myself an ADHD coach - the ironic thing is that she has said I have Aspergers instead of ADHD and now that I understand what Autism is, I really understand everything I have gone through....

    I am working again for the last six months with a company that allows me work from home and I find it is so good for me - I get my work done, don't get sucked into distractions and office politics....and in my case, not able to judge the mood of people or read signals as well as trusting too many people and getting stabbed in the back...

    You are also so right about wanting to work and those attitudes that exist in companies these days - we peope with Autism have so much to offer and it would be great if companies actually stood up and took notice eh?

    Thanks again for the wonderful post :)

Reply
  • Hey Vometia,


    Reading your post was a breath of fresh air in that I too fell apart last year (45) and ended up agreeing to leave my company because I was struggling with all the politics within the workplace.

    I was diagnosed with ADHD 5 years ago however, I have struggled with the diagnosis - was put on meds that didn't agree with me and stopped for 4 years and tried them again last year when my son was diagnosed with ADHD and Atypical Autism - so went on them for a year and found myself an ADHD coach - the ironic thing is that she has said I have Aspergers instead of ADHD and now that I understand what Autism is, I really understand everything I have gone through....

    I am working again for the last six months with a company that allows me work from home and I find it is so good for me - I get my work done, don't get sucked into distractions and office politics....and in my case, not able to judge the mood of people or read signals as well as trusting too many people and getting stabbed in the back...

    You are also so right about wanting to work and those attitudes that exist in companies these days - we peope with Autism have so much to offer and it would be great if companies actually stood up and took notice eh?

    Thanks again for the wonderful post :)

Children
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