In a bad place....don't expect you can help

atrekkie22

tomorrowschild wrote: »

On the last government course, for 13 weeks , I was asked what work I wanted. I stated, honestly, I would do anything. I DO apply for jobs. I do NOT place obstacles in my way. The job advisers can't see why I'm not getting work.

* Im going to be honest here. Its because they dont understand Aspergers syndrome. The autistic society is working to change that.

The problem with this new job is that I am not qualified for it. You wouldn't ask me to drive without a current licence. I am being asked to teach complex needs which I do not knbow how to do.

* Its better to do a good job then a perfect job. If i were you then i would go to your local college and for 10p you can photocopy a job description of your potential job. I have sent you a private message. If you live near Bristol UK then we could meet up.

My only reference to people with lower qualifications than myself was in trying to explain the ability range of the group I am expected to teach. I did not belittle them as has been suggested. Nor am I snobbish about my qualifications.

* True you are honest and people misinterpret what you mean.

I HAVE worked longer than a year! It's just a year that I was in schools, then moved into Adult education. I would take a job in a school if I could get one. I have applied.

* I hope you find something soon.

I did voluntary work, but the Job Centre stopped it - I was told it meant I was not available for work. Even though I would have stopped the voluntary work immediately I got a job.

* Best not to tell the Job Centre when you find voluntary work. As long as its less than 16 hours they you arent breaking any rules. Just make your voluntary work aware of the fact that you are there "until something permanent comes up".

I'm seriously trying to get relevant work and thought this forum might be supportive. More fool me.

* There are places that will support you. Google the word "Aspie" and you will find a forum that is very supportive. Whys that? Its full of asperger people of course.

* To people reading this 2/3rds of the members of our adult Asperger social group have not found work despite searching.

Alexis

GlasweJen

I'm disabled, I am on the Autistic Spectrum, I have learning difficulties and a form of dysautonomia which basically means my cranial nerves are shot to bits.

I go to uni full time, I get good grades. I had a job, lost it due to disability and then got another job. It's not in the field I intend to study and it's nothing glamorous (work in a garden centre) but it's income. It gets me out the house, I have work friends and a work life and I have self respect knowing that I'm not sitting about waiting for a job or living off the dole.

I think a job will be good for the OP, don't let your aspergers get you down (if it even is aspergers, it might be something else). Talk to a disability advisor at the job centre and see if they can help get you training for this new job, they can also arrange for you to see occupational therapists and to cover transport costs and stuff. Don't talk yourself out of trying.

atrekkie22

flowers_of_manchester wrote: »

OMG what nice people you all are!!
Is aspergers not a serious disabiity?
Some of the replies on this thread are nothing short of disgraceful and you all should be ashamed.

* Try the NAS.org.uk website if anyone thinks its not. Its a very misunderstood disability. If anyone here wishes to find out more about Asperger's syndrome then https://www.NAS.org.uk will help you.

atrekkie22

foreign_correspondent wrote: »

are you for real? the Op is in a bad place, her living conditions sound terrible, she has a job offer which could get her a better life, and we are awful because we tell her to go for it!

* No people are awful for accusing her of scrounging off the state, being inflexible, being picky etc.

Yell ya what, we would be a ot more bl00dy awful if we said, 'oh thats terrible, well it looks like you are condemned to the life you have, but are miserable in, cos asbergers is insurmountable.'

* Its misunderstood yes and so called equal opps employers wont even give me the time of day when i tick their so called "guaranteed interview" box.

Yes asbergers is difficult, but very many people have fabulous careers with it. A fair percentage of doctors and consultants are on the autisitic spectrum actually.

* Depends on the level of support you get. Many MPs are on the ASD spectrum. Yes there are many aspergers/aspies who find great jobs, but there are also those that have serious mental health problems which the state refuses to help them with.

Also, I have a long term chronic health condition, which hasnt disabled me yet, (although I very often find life a struggle) but I work three challenging, professional jobs and keep it to myself.

* Good for you! I hope to be able to do the same when i find work.

atrekkie22

Nicki wrote: »

Really? What is your source for this pearl of wisdom? Your in depth knowledge as to the difficulties faced by those on the autistic spectrum might be more convincing if you even knew how to spell Aspergers!

Aspergers and classical Autism are serious disabilities, and the "attitude" which OP is being criticised for, is most likely a natural anxiety caused by the Aspergers itself. It is no more fair to criticise him/her for that, than it would be to criticise a hearing impaired person for not wanting to take a job in a call centre.

* Agreed!

OP, did you disclose the Aspergers when you applied for the job? If so, are there things which the employer could do which might make it easier for you to take the job (adjustments which they would be required to make under the DDA, I mean). For example would it help if you had a mentor, or a TA in the class at least to start off with? Or a short course of instruction (maybe by an existing teacher at the college) on how to teach reading? I suspect that some of the posters are correct when they say that you would actually be capable in educational terms of teaching this class, given your qualifications, but I can see that you need a bit of help to overcome the hurdle of adapting your teaching skills to this different subject, and also in managing the very different needs of the class, and that this is most likely linked to the Aspergers.

* Yes do apply for help. You are entitled to it.

Otherwise, have you thought about applying for a post as a teacher in a special school for students on the autistic spectrum? A positive role model for the students would be amazing, as often it is hard for schools like this to organise good work experience for their older students due to the range of abilities and needs (and employers prejudices) which means horizons can be narrowed.

* Thats a good idea. It often takes one to know one.

Hope you can get things sorted, whatever you decide to do.

* Same here

atrekkie22

Somerset wrote: »

I'm with flowers of manchester.

I felt slightly uncomfortable feeling the response the OP got. I also wondered if people has missed the aspergers reference.

* I think this important fact has been missed too.

The OP sounds genuine, hugely lacking in confidence and very self-critical. Maybe a little academic - not a scrapper. I think he/she is genuinely looking for work but maybe is frightened to step outside his/her comfort zone. I also think this 'comfort zone' is connected to the aspergers.

* Definitely the attitude of any long term unemployed person. Aspies are often self critical, we excel generally in academic subjects but employment is a totally different ball game.

* Happy world autism day everyone!

atrekkie22

dmg24 wrote: »

Nicki, you are making assumptions about the OP's condition that make it sound more severe than it actually is (from the given information).

The OP has not even been formally diagnosed with Aspergers yet. As they qualified as a teacher in 1994, we can assume that they are at least in their mid thirties. There is no way that their condition can be as severe as you are implying without any kind of diagnosis before now.

* The majority of adults are not diagnosed with autism until they are much older. Just because he/she qualified as a teacher doesnt mean that their condition is not severe. i know of a few people with aspergers who have severe mental health problems. One person is addicted to alcohol and a danger to himself and society, yet he wont ever get sectioned. He would have been in a better position if his support worker didnt just sit in a chair and sleep when N asked for help.

* Many carers of asperger people have had nervous breakdowns due to lack of carer support. Many autistics self harm, cannot sleep and are excluded from school or education due to thier complex needs.

If you had a further understanding of ASD and Aspergers, you would find that many with more mild symptoms go on to have excellent careers. Indeed, I know of a solicitors and one barrister who have ASD.

* i know of a mental health lawyer in my area. i also know that the majority of aspergers are in jobs that are below their abilities. You have seen one side of the aspergers spectrum and i have seen the other.

atrekkie22

foreign_correspondent wrote: »

I agree. Also as the OP has qualified as a teacher presumably s/he had to undertake teaching practice and be observed and assessed in working with children. The OP is obviously competent to do so.

* This person has learnt to teach when being supervised/helped. Once the support structure has been taken away they may struggle.

I would suggest that a lack of confidence is very normal when returning to work after a long break, it is easy to feel de-skilled, and it can be more tempting to stay in a comfortable rut than to push yourself forward into uncharted territory.

* This is the unfortunate trap that many autistics get stuck in.

I hpe the OP takes the job, I think its normal to feel scared and out of the 'comfort zone' but s/he may find they do well and enjoy it.

Anyway, either believe you can, or believe you can't, either way you will be right.

* I would recommend emailing the NAS so you can pass on their information sheet about aspergers to your job centre etc.

foreign_correspondent

GlasweJen wrote: »

I'm disabled, I am on the Autistic Spectrum, I have learning difficulties and a form of dysautonomia which basically means my cranial nerves are shot to bits.

I go to uni full time, I get good grades. I had a job, lost it due to disability and then got another job. It's not in the field I intend to study and it's nothing glamorous (work in a garden centre) but it's income. It gets me out the house, I have work friends and a work life and I have self respect knowing that I'm not sitting about waiting for a job or living off the dole.

I think a job will be good for the OP, don't let your aspergers get you down (if it even is aspergers, it might be something else). Talk to a disability advisor at the job centre and see if they can help get you training for this new job, they can also arrange for you to see occupational therapists and to cover transport costs and stuff. Don't talk yourself out of trying.

Good for you, you sound like you have balls!! (in the nicest possible way of course!) and great advice!

GlasweJen

No balls, it just gets boring sitting about a house all day with no money to do anything or buy nice things. Getting a job made good social sense and good financial sense. There's no point sitting about moping all day.