To ask, is there a job that I could cope with- I have ASD

[Tobythecat]

I'm 27, got my degree with The OU but have never had a job. Realistically, I find it very difficult to do simple things like multitasking and going to shops due to sensory overload(I disassociate), I really struggle to process visual information/verbal instructions, struggle to navigate my way around places and cross unfamilar/busy roads.

I would like to get some sort of job, 1 or 2 days a week to start, either paid or unpaid, but I can't think of anything I could cope with as they all involve a lot of sensory overload/processing/multitasking type stuff that I really cannot cope with as I get meltdowns and feel suicidal. For example, after going to two of my coffee groups in 1 day, which involved 5 hours of constant socialising - My brain was so overwhelmed I thought I was having a breakdown .

So, what job do you think would suit someone like me, if one exists!

Forgot to mention im on DLA and ESA and worried about them cutting my money etc if I start doing any sort of work.

There are probably jobs that you could certainly do, but I think you need advice from someone trained to help people in your situation. Who organises your coffee groups? Is there anyone there who could point you towards a proper careers advisor trained to help people with ASD? Or how about contacting an autism-related charity for some suggestions?

Do you attend any groups related to ESA or have a support worker? It is difficult to advise without specific knowledge of how your condition limits your life. Have you ever volunteered as that can be a good way of trying different tasks out. Maybe something methodical which you could do from home or within a small team such as bookkeeping would be possible. What was your OU course in?

Be very careful about taking on work, paid or unpaid, while you're on ESA. You can do permitted work but you have to get permission from DWP first. If you get a secure job you could consider coming off ESA, and you'd get tax credits to top up your income, but then it might be hard work to get back on ESA again if the job ends, so I'd only do it for a secure job that was likely to work out. I have a diagnosis of autism and I do some voluntary work with my local museum, just filing/admin work in the back office one day a week. I couldn't cope with anything with too many people and I'd hate having to commute five days a week. I don't have any plans to take on paid work, I like the flexibility of voluntary work and being able to take breaks when I want.

DLA won't be automatically affected by you starting work/voluntary work (but it might if the work you do contradicts what you said on your forms).

I've given up on paid employment. I'm very good at whatever I turn my hand to, but I find it impossible to work with people. You know those kind of unwritten political games that go on in workplaces. Pecking orders and communication stuff. I can't deal with them or play the game. It's exhausting trying To. Self employment is a dream. I would go through all your skills and see if there's something you can cash in on.

Yes, you can work from home if that suits you better. Plenty of people do it. In my field (computing) there are lots of people with ASD and many work from home most or all of the time.

You have said what you cannot do, but nothing about what you can do. What is your degree in? What professional skills do you have? If you don't have any, what sort of things are you good at and can turn into skills that people will pay you for?

You probably have some very specific skills which could be valuable if delivered electronically. You don't mention anything, but I'm thinking things like proofreading, certain types of quality assurance, online tasks, simple research, digital assistant type stuff. Things that can be done in your own time with communication almost entirely over email/similar.

How about the local library? Ours have volunteers helping putting the books back on the shelves. It's a reasonably quiet environment. I did my work experience in the library over 30 years ago and loved it. When I visit now it doesn't seem very different - maybe avoid times when the school children are in as it's noisier.

Remote has a small non-tech section
Power to Fly has some non-tech remote jobs also (though not many).

Ultimately, don't get fooled into the idea that you must first conquer your ASD before you can really begin your adult life. It might be that you are never comfortable working in an office. That's ok. You still get to have a life, a job, do things you enjoy. You don't have to totally therapise your existence. Don't fall into the normality trap and set up artificial roadblocks or yoke together independent goals. By this I mean, what is your goal - is it to get a job or is it to get a job like a normal person? If it's the latter you may have a thwarted life. The former is highly achievable.

Thank you all for your help. I would love to set up a business from home - i'm just not sure what and I'd need to be able to pay my bills. I would love to sell things on ebay perhaps - I would love packaging everything up and all the methodical paperwork type stuff, I love that.

Computer programming? Some sort of other IT/coding work?
Large learning curve but you might find that your brain really gets into it (or not!). Lots of flexible work potential without lots of necessary socialising.

Charity shops often need help. Dd has Aspergers and she used to enjoy sorting out the things and finding prices for the more exclusive items on Ebay.