10 things that make it hard for someone with autism to get employment
Written on 17th Aug 2013 by Alex Lowery
For a long time I was worried that I wouldn’t have a job when I got older. This was because of all the difficulties I face. It is common for those who have autism to not have a job. According to the National Autistic Society only 15% of those who have autism are in full time payed employment. I have just started my own business and I thought I would talk about why working for someone else would be hard for me.
Alex speaking at the opening of an NAS branch in Caerphilly.
Why I would find it difficult to get and keep a normal job !
1. Health problems – I have have a lot of allergies and when they get out of control I struggle to do a normal days work.
2. Finding places – I have a hard time knowing my way around places I am not familiar with so getting to work could be a problem.
3. The interview – Most people when they have a job interview get really nervous, yet for me it’s likely that I would get much more anxious than other people. I would be panicking so much that I wouldn’t be able to focus.
I would find it hard to answer the questions.
4. Learning difficulties – It takes me a lot longer to learn most new things.
5. Slow processing – It takes me longer to do things. I think an employer would lose patience with me.
6. Hazard awareness – I just don’t see hazards because I am focusing on what ever I am doing.
7. Anxiety – This affects me in a number of ways. If I make a mistake I get very distressed and can’t function. Public speaking works well for me because I can practise it and I always get positive feedback.
8. Stimming – (See below for a link to an article on stimming) I find it very hard to control stimming, especially if I have nothing to do. Once in work experience in my Dad’s work I apparently stimmed quite a lot but I hadn’t realised I was doing it. One of the girls thought there was something wrong with me. At least if I turn up to give a speech on autism no-one will be surprised if I stim.
9. Social difficulties – I find it very hard to interact and get on with people. I am puzzled by the social rules and can unintentionally be un-polite. Other people will think I am just being rude.
10. Lack of sleep – Often I just can’t get to sleep, my brain just won’t turn off. I will just constantly be thinking some nights it can take me until the morning to get to sleep. I can work at my business when I am feeling up to the hours and I can rest when I need to.
Link to an article on stimming-(Just copy and paste) http://empowerautismnow.com/adventures-in-autism/2013/4/24/why-stimming-is-a-big-part-of-my-life.html
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My teenage son (who has been diagnosed with classic autism, learning difficulties & anaphylaxis) likes to be self-employed. He shares this with great enthusiasm with those caring for him – many times. Sadly, unlike in Canada, there is presently little practical support to steer & train those with autism who wish to be self-employed in the direction they desire. The only self-employed autistic persons our family has ever come across in support groups & in literature (and we read widely) are those who choose either to teach Makaton or to campaign for charities or autism awareness. There is none in the Greater London area, we know who are self-employed with their own special interests in say, music or sports. So I guess, paths are made by walking. See this: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PsF9fs5DFIc