Feeling Hopeless

[Robby]

I just feel hopeless. I'm never going to get a job. I try and try and nothing ever works out. The doctor at a local clinic I went to gave me a chance to try for a receptionist job and I went in there and it was just totally overwhelming. I was hoping I could handle it but after two hours I just couldn't. It was so many things, so much multi tasking, which I am not good at, and dealing with collecting payments and data entry and just constant. I thought it was going to be just answering phones and scheduling appointments but it was way more. Everyone there was super nice but I just had to leave after two hours I couldn't handle it. And I have no leads. I wish it would have worked out, but I have to actually be able to handle the job right? Everyone there was so nice and it would have been a great environment to work but I just couldn't handle the multi tasking. Not sure what I am going to do now. Have been using a career services place but she never comes up with any solid leads for me. I'm just hopeless. I don't know where to turn. I can't do anything requiring public interaction like a receptionist, nor do I want to do menial labor. Just don't know what to do any more.

 

[DogwoodTree]

Can you work as a security guard, like on a night shift?

 

[Robby]

No I cant work nights i have to care for a family member so that's out. And I don't think I can do security because I am an openly gay man, so yeah that won't work I don't think. I wouldn't feel comfortable doing that. I literally have no idea what to do.

 

[Robby]

It has to be during the day, and it has to be something relatively simple that I can handle, but yet i don't want to pick up trash and scrub toilets. I mean I have certain skills. I just don't know where to turn.

 

[Warmheart]

Robby, you really make good sense in your posts. Challenges relating to people, working around people, and multi-tasking (yuck!) are understandable for someone with ASD. I think you do a great job of explaining why getting and keeping a job can often feel like "the wrong fit" for you.

What about teaming up with an ASD specialist trained in vocational services to help you get something that
1.) you will actually enjoy, because it aligns with your interests and talents, and
2. you can have all the ASD=specific supports AND accommodations you need!

An example might be:
A specialist finds that you are wild about music, but can't handle crowds, tight schedules, and have task performance anxiety.
She and you together find a job behind the scenes at a symphony concert house, where you archive sheet music, or design their brochures, or manage ticket online purchases, all behind the scenes in a quiet, sensory-friendly setting.
While there, you discover you need them to stop using a strong-smelling carpet powder, and you work better with "flex-time" than at specific hours, so the ASD specialist helps you get those accommodations in place.

How do you get an ASD specialist who works with vocational stuff?
1. The state Department of Developmental Services (if you live in USA) will get you a caseworker, who will help you find one.
or
2.) Your ASD specialist which you saw before may know someone who works with adult autism populations.


Best of luck, Robby!

 

[EeyoreSyndrome]

I am pretty miserable myself, so your not alone in feeling hopeless.

::hugs for you::

 

[EeyoreSyndrome]

Robby, you really make good sense in your posts. Challenges relating to people, working around people, and multi-tasking (yuck!) are understandable for someone with ASD. I think you do a great job of explaining why getting and keeping a job can often feel like "the wrong fit" for you.

What about teaming up with an ASD specialist trained in vocational services to help you get something that
1.) you will actually enjoy, because it aligns with your interests and talents, and
2. you can have all the ASD=specific supports AND accommodations you need!

An example might be:
A specialist finds that you are wild about music, but can't handle crowds, tight schedules, and have task performance anxiety.
She and you together find a job behind the scenes at a symphony concert house, where you archive sheet music, or design their brochures, or manage ticket online purchases, all behind the scenes in a quiet, sensory-friendly setting.
While there, you discover you need them to stop using a strong-smelling carpet powder, and you work better with "flex-time" than at specific hours, so the ASD specialist helps you get those accommodations in place.

How do you get an ASD specialist who works with vocational stuff?
1. The state Department of Developmental Services (if you live in USA) will get you a caseworker, who will help you find one.
or
2.) Your ASD specialist which you saw before may know someone who works with adult autism populations.


Best of luck, Robby!

For that stuff, do we need a formal diagnosis?

I'm feeling so *meh* lately it's hard to even attempt making phone calls myself.

 

[Robby]

Ok but the thing is, is that I was referred to my local state Vocational Rehab place over two years ago, got a diagnosis of mild autism, but to this day my case worker there never returns my calls or emails, and she did refer me to a local employment place, but the girl there never has any tangible leads for me either. I've been seeing her since November, and not one single interview has she sent me on. None. So I'm sick of it and called Voc Rehab and asked for a different case worker. This is ridiculous. I thought these people were supposed to help but it seems all it is is talk. Empty talk. No leads for me.

 

[Warmheart]

Yes Eeyore, I think a formal diagnosis would be a good first step to getting state services for vocational help for ASD. I wish they would help people who have not yet formally been diagnosed. Perhaps a therapist might have ideas, if the therapist specializes in ASD.

Robby, you have honestly tried so hard. I remember your old posts about trying to secure a job and keep it, and feeling frustrated. Everything you are saying makes so much sense. And yes, I totally agree, you do need a new caseworker. GOOD for you, for advocating to get one!

Just my opinion: I think sometimes the only way for adults with ASD to get the supports we need, is to see what professionals and agencies work with children, and then find one who has "adult life transition" programs. Even when we are older than 18 - 22, we have special vocational needs.

Robby, you are intelligent, creative, and, when you feel comfortable enough to do so, a really good communicator. Anyone would be lucky to have you on their staff, doing something you can feel good about.

I hope you have better luck with a new caseworker!

 

[Robby]

Thanks I just can't seem to find something as far as an actual job that I feel I can handle and do every day. I feel I need something manageable, not overwhelming, but also not totally menial. I really feel I can be a good employee provided what I am doing is manageable and not overwhelming. That's why I think being a receptionist would not work at all. Just too much going on at once. I could see myself being a patient care associate. But my issue is just finding tangible leads that I can pursue and have success. I wanted to avoid staffing agencies, how do you feel about those? Do they help people with mild autism? My local voc rehab place hasn't done anything for me. I've gone and met with my case worker like 7 times since November and have not gone on ONE single job interview as a result. That's ridiculous, wasting my time here.

 

[Warmheart]

Robby, you are a determined, thoughtful autistic adult who needs and deserves to have ASD-appropriate supports in place, at an ASD-appropriate position. You have tremendous potential. Staffing temp places who don't work with autism might not be your best bet. I think looking at this through an ASD lens is important because what you're asking for is a job for a talented, bright man who is autistic, and simply needs a job suitable for his autism, as well as "reasonable accommodations."

Honestly, if you're in a sensory-friendly environment, with supports in place, working at a pace that feels comfortable for you, you WILL feel competent! Once you feel competent, no doubt you'll explore bringing more interest into your work, whatever it may be.

 

[Robby]

My thing now is that I don't even care about salary that much, I just need a job consistent day to day that I can go to and handle the tasks, and hold the job without being totally overwhelmed by sensory overload. That's really it, I do have some social anxiety,but that's not so bad if I feel in control of things. I'm just not a good multi-tasker. I can work at a fast pace, but only if it's one or two things at once.

The thing is is that I don't know where to turn now. I have no work history, and the agencies that are supposed to be helping me are dragging their feet. I've met with my case worker like 7 times since November and she keeps telling me she's working on it and is a nice lady but I haven't gotten any solid leads from her or an interview.

I'm just sad and frustrated. I am very willing to work, but it has to be the right fit for me to hold a job.

 

[Robby]

Going to a staffing agency tomorrow. That will probably go nowhere either. They'll see my lack of work experience and probably think there's something wrong with me. Just really discouraged now and not seeing any options.

 

[SPEED RACER]

I am doing the same thing because my unemployment benefits run out in 2 weeks i have no choice now.

 

[AsperDragon]

Check out upwork.com. they are a freelancer website for a lot of different skills. I have started using it for editing and proofreading. I am new to freelancing and I have no professional experience in editing and yet I recently got my first freelance job. Now I am still far from being self supportive doing it but maybe you can find something you can do through it. And my first job found me through my profile there and invited me to interview. I wish everyone here good luck in finding a good job for them.