Autistic and can’t work but would like ideas of how to fill my time?

[furtheringeducation]

Once my youngest goes to school full time in September?

Im thinking about a OU course but is it worth it if it’s just for me and not towards a qualification specifically for a job but just something I enjoy ? Do they ever make you go in person or a it all done from home ?
Im also wondering about some DIY projects as I really enjoy this type of thing and the house does need a lot of work.

I don’t really leave the house much but can get into the garden although I know nothing about gardening at all. I just don’t want to do nothing I’d like to find some things to keep my mind active

You could contact your nearest FE college and ask what distance learning courses they have - they might have some that would interest you

Learning for learning's sake, just because you enjoy it, is never a waste of time. It may open up options to you but even if it doesn't and you do it just for your own interests that's great. Consider it like a hobby. I did an OU course years ago just for my own interests (was working full time too).

No I’m not able to work unfortunately but I do want to find some things I can do at home / from home to keep me active.

I will look into it id really like to learn something and I find it really relaxing to study and get into a subject in great detail. I have agoraphobia so I need to make sure I can do it all from home

See if you can start learning about gardening now. You might be able to manage some little learning and growing projects with your child. Depending on space and light available, you could try growing runner beans, sunflowers, strawberries for example, in pots or in your garden directly. That would be enjoyable this year, and depending on how interested you get you might find yourself wanting to do and find out more in the autumn/winter.

Good luck growing your skills one way or another. You never know, things will continue to change as you and your little one learn, there may come a time in future when you can earn something as well.

if there was something like admin I could 100% do from home then I’d consider it but in the past I haven’t passed basic maths aptitude tests (discalculia) although I’m extremely good at English and have qualifications but Ive been let down by my maths issue years ago pre dc as it was always a requirement and I couldn’t meet the level

Learning Curve do a wide range of online courses. I think the idea of growing vegetables is a good one though.

https://www.learningcurvegroup.co.uk/

I'm wondering this too OP. I'm a carer for my mum but once she's no longer around I don't know what I'll do. I'm a qualified nurse but I don't feel able to cope in that role again. Working from home where I don't have to interact with people would be ideal. Good luck to you, it's hard isn't it to accept that we just aren't cut out for employment

Hi

I’m autistic. I do work (in a school, so get some of the holidays off).

My hobbies are currently painting using a gel plate, squeegee painting and paint pouring. I am also trying to learn to paint more conventionally, but I find this harder as my motor skills aren’t great. Instead I created textures and patterns that I then cut out and collage into artwork. I can send a photo of you’d like to see. I also attend an art class once a week, which I was very scared to do, but is an autism friendly one and is great.

I also love to garden, which I’ve only been into for a few years. I find it really rewarding to nurture my seeds and plants and it means I still get sunshine and outside time even when I don’t feel like leaving the house.

I read a lot of books, mostly fiction with a few biographies of people I am interested in. I like to try and structure a little bit of reading time into every day, as it is so good for mental and intellectual health.

I have also done short courses before that aren’t really relevant to my job, just for fun. I love learning and would always recommend Vision2Learn as a free way to try out online learning to see if it is your thing!

I hope this is helpful!

You don’t understand how autism affects different people. I have autism, I am very capable of looking after my child - who also has autism- and I achieved very well at school but I can’t work. I suffer very severe social anxiety and difficulty being around other people and every job I’ve ever had I’ve ended up either losing or having to leave due to mental health reasons. It’s not always as straightforward as it seems.

If the house needs some work then diy sounds like a good avenue to think about.

If you haven’t done much before there are really good videos on YouTube showing you how to do things.

Could you perhaps keep chickens in your garden? You only need 2 or 3. They're fun to have around and pretty easy to care for. They have miniature versions such as Silkies which don't take up a lot of room. They need a coop and a run for outdoor exercise, but it doesn't have to take up a large area.

With regards to your anxiety/agoraphobia. Do you have medication? I'm autistic as well and struggled for years on SSRIs, but since starting an SNRI I've been completely transformed and no longer have the anxiety. I've even started doing social things and have made some friends. My life has gone from being very unwell to feeling what I think of as normal. I can't believe I wasted all those years being so bad with anxiety and now I get to do things.

What about learning to sew? It's both creative and practical. A sewing machine doesn't need to be a fancy complicated one.
You could make things for your dc or to donate or sell?

Are you having CBT for your agoraphobia. It is possible to overcome it with exposure therapy and the right kind of help. Have you got any experience in admin work and you would need your maths even functional skills for this. There are free websites you can use then just pay for the exam when you are ready to sit it.

stbrandonsboat
Can I ask which SNRI?

I tried CBT in the past it was awful for me. It was just impossible for me to do and I felt so stressed I had to stop. Any kind of exposure therapy makes me worse.
I have weekly counselling which I find helpful But that’s more to just talk.

Im wary of medication as I was heavily medicated as a teen and it didn’t help me at all and gave me some nasty side effects. I was misdiagnosed initially with depression then bipolar so it was a difficult time . I’m sure medications have improved now and I might look into it im just scared due to past experience

I enjoy futurelearn.com for online courses - you pay £20 a month, but then can do whichever course you want and they’re all good quality. It’s a good way to try out different subjects and see which you enjoy.

Gardening and DIY are good things to focus on: if you’re stuck at home at least make it as nice as possible! Will also be good for your daughter to learn some basic skills.

I use the time the kids are at school to prep all the food, do the housework, prep games/activities for them. That helps me to be really focused on them when they’re here.

Also could you use the time she’s at school to get some therapy/support? I have an autistic sibling who has 5 hours a week support from the local mental health team to get them out of their flat and doing the shopping etc. You may already have tried lots of strategies of course, just thinking it will benefit you and your daughter so much if you can get out of the house.

Also could you look at freelance PA kind of work? It can be done totally remotely. You’d need good English (which you obviously have!). It would be things like typing up dictation, formatting documents, compiling information. There are various websites that you can sign up on, if you charge a low price at first to get customers then you’ll start to get ratings and can gradually increase your price. But the important thing is you wouldn’t need maths to do it.

It's Venlafaxine. I can't believe how different I feel. I wish I'd been put on it 30 years ago.

I would look for a distance learning beginner gardening course. A great skill to have, gardening is very rewarding and it will get you outside (in your own garden) which will benefit your health.

Have you thought about a proofreading course? Or a content writing course? Both could offer you a chance to use your English skills on a freelance basis.

Is this the same type of drug as Prozac ? I was put on Prozac at age 13-16 and it made me so unwell. I was then switched to another medication at 16 when I was wrongly diagnosed with bipolar which I can’t remember the name of but it was awful. I’d be open to potentially discussing something with my gp but I’m really traumatised by my teenage years

Yes i think this sounds like a good idea Thankyou

I’ll look into this too as I think I’d enjoy it

I wish someone would pay me to build Lego. That would be perfect. Do you have any special interests?