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Autism & the difficulty of getting & doing a job
Autism (ASD) | Last Active: Jul 31, 2021 | Replies (60)Comment receiving replies
In my last job I was working in a state employment capacity. While I was not diagnosed as on the spectrum until very late in my work career, there had always been indicators that I was not neurotypical. Working 4 the people I did in that last job, they were happy with my abilities they were happy with my work product, but they had a difficult time with my personality. This came not only from my coworkers but also from management. They wanted me to have a smile plastered on my face the entire time I was there, and to participate in voluntary group activities that I had no interest in. They created an adverse environment for me to feel comfortable in. While I could have really raised the roof and gone the legal way to make them change, it would have taken such a toll on me. I would like to hope that I paved the way for others by the way that I was able to progress in that job. But it's very difficult when there is a mindset of everybody has to fit in. It's been proven time and time again that not everybody does.
Ginger
Replies to "In my last job I was working in a state employment capacity. While I was not..."
Yes, I had the exact same problem. One of the side effects of autism can be depression. That can certainly make it hard to be "up" and happy 24 hours-a-day. Thankfully, eventually I was diagnosed with Severe Depression, and put on medications for it. They have helped me a lot! Being a man with autism is probably even more difficult than women have it, because in our culture men are supposed to "suck it up" or "laugh it off" when they're depressed. 🙂 You may notice that in the past year, several professional basketball players in America have published articles in "The Players' Tribune," in which they reveal that they have had severe depression, despite their fame, adulation, and riches, and I think it really got the attention of the American sporting public.
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@gingerw
It sounds as if you adapted to a rather difficult work environment very well, Ginger. You maintained your boundaries and did that which made you comfortable and you did a good job with your work assignments. All of that is a great example of how to take care of ourselves in the work force and yet remain true to our personal challenges. That took planning and courage on your part, good work!