Published on 12, July, 2020
Hi folks,
Today was the first day of my week-long induction into my new job, working as an Individual Support Worker in day services in a local autism charitable trust. It was an interesting, if exhausting day. We all got to introduce ourselves and talk about our experiences with autistic people. I seemed to be the only one who'd worked in care for several years. Many people were completely new to it. It was great to see such enthusiasm, though, for working with people on the spectrum. Most of the people we'll be working with are severely autistic and need 24-hour support.
I was also the only person there with an autism diagnosis, which I mentioned - and which generated a flurry of interest. The trainers would often come to me for perspectives, and most people seemed generally keen to hear of my experiences both through working with autistic people and through my own personal experiences as an autistic person. I think this is really going to be a great place to work!
I was anxious as hell over the weekend - mainly about the journey there. I did a lot of planning, though (my car doesn't have sat-nav) and didn't get lost once, despite a lot of complicated city-centre navigation. I have a hopeless sense of direction, and one wrong turning would have left me in Nightmare-land! I feel so much better now!
How was everyone else's day today?
Tom
Thank you for letting us know how you got on. I have been thinking about you all. Glad Tom and Warrior had positive days and encouraged and supported by their team. I had a quiet day and did far too much rambling posts!
Thank you for keeping House. How are you?
Btw...I keep office with our head of psychology. She was talking to me today about people going to the doctors re: anxiety and depression, but in reality it is compassion fatigue.. I.e drained from worrying and caring for others. Thoughts?
Glad we make you smile! I blame Spotty - get her out of her shell and she's marvelous!
You two are funny you make me smile
Hey, keep the compliments coming! Don't hold back girl x
I have a guinea pig.. I'm used to poo!
***!
That will cost you 50p!
even though the shoe is clean...you can still smell me!
I'm like poo on your shoe. - lol
Wouldn't want to. Wish I could think of a snappy retort but..
We don't want to!
It will. Poor you guys, you can't seem to shake me off, can you?
Maybe the bubble face you a rest and a boost. And now you have discovered here it may help you through term time too.
Maybe it's because the kids are much more honest and don't carry an agenda. Work today has made me realise even more how much of a protective bubble you have protected me with over the summer months
Plus I really struggled with the fatigue thing and could never understand it because my colleagues all managed their workload and family life without getting overly tired.
I am the same with my teaching. Love the kids and we have a real rapport, adults are a much trickier and more difficult to unpick x
I had a rapport with the kids again disabled either physically, learning or both. In residential I was young and the team looked after me . In school I had bad problems with the staff but loved the kids. Both occasions never managed to build a social life either within or out of work. So it's an odd mix I think?
Contrary to people's perception of ASD...
Yes that's been a definite for me at times both in work life and at home. I have no control over the depth of emotions and can maintain for so long then burn out. I worked in residential care, education and as carer for mum. I get too involved, can't switch off and no boundaries. This is also mixed in with the depression and anxiety which including the ND eventually led to cfs/fibromyalgia. You see there I go again too intense.. sorry. But yes have been told by medics this happens. Not so easy to guard against either and seems contrary to asd ?
You too Missy x good to see with you with a bit more self confidence