Page 2 | Paid employment as a neurodiverse person

caringcarer · 18/12/2024 11:42

There are jobs you could do but you'll have to hunt them out like the poster who cleans the nursery after DC all gone home.

user1471548941 · 18/12/2024 11:59

I work in strategy for a bank. It picks up on my strengths perfectly- I'm brilliant at working out the optimal way to achieve a goal and seeing the consequences of things.

The "people" and executive function element I find challenging but have a fab manager who is supportive and a good set of reasonable adjustments that work for me. Still have my moments but find that most are forgivable if I properly communicate with manager and flag challenges. We have a full time, in house disability accomodation support team.

Been here a decade and think I'd be fucked if I got fired as I don't think I could ever work at this level anywhere else so that basically forces me to engage with support, flag challenges and move role if I find myself without a supportive manager- I go and find one that is and internal moves are encouraged (only had to do this once!).

We also don't have DC, don't think I could do it if we did, do have a cleaner and my DH provides a lot of support at home to make sure I have plenty of rest and quiet time!

Wimpod · 18/12/2024 15:42

I have realised I work in a really not good environment for me and have done for years.

Noisy, constant interruptions during tasks, too many people.

Worst of all I've discovered is that people really expect everyone to do things the same way. I really can't act normal and I can see them struggling to understand why I'm struggling. 😳

The function of the job is interesting enough, fast moving, problem solving, new things to learn all the time. I'm good at certain aspects of it and have a lot of experience.

I'm really struggling with the people these days and the fact I feel they're judging me (I know, 90% of it is probably in my head) and that I struggle to keep up with paperwork etc.

I really wish I could WFH or in an environment where I could sit with headphones on and ignore everyone. I'll exhausted with it tbh!

PenguinLover24 · 22/12/2024 19:13

1000000% relate. I've never kept any job I've had between leaving because of poor mental health or being dismissed because of absence because of poor mental health 🙄 (MH caused by the fact I cannot cope with the job, being somewhere every day at the same time, interactions, lights etc honestly feel trapped).

Original poster

lolit · 23/12/2024 01:42

PenguinLover24 · 22/12/2024 19:13

1000000% relate. I've never kept any job I've had between leaving because of poor mental health or being dismissed because of absence because of poor mental health 🙄 (MH caused by the fact I cannot cope with the job, being somewhere every day at the same time, interactions, lights etc honestly feel trapped).

Same. I only lasted 4 months in my last job. I kept taking days off because I was not coping mentally with working. Got fired after 4 months and I remember not even feeling like a failure for getting fired or feeling anxious about how tf to pay rent, I literally just felt relieved that I can rest now...

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Original poster

lolit · 23/12/2024 01:45

I wonder at what point should I just accept defeat and stop trying to be employed. I am now trying to find a 10h a week job from home, because I think that is something I can cope with, but it's not like those type of jobs fall from the sky.

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CanIGetAHighFive · 14/01/2025 16:01

I work in the NHS. Do not recommend.

ByAquaBee · 16/01/2025 12:54

lolit · 13/12/2024 23:34

Who else struggles with this? I'm sure I'm not alone 😂

My story: I am almost 30 and I was in paid employment a total of 3 years of my life, lasted only 6 months in a full-time job, every other job I had was part-time.

I applied for a part-time job working with kids for about 4 hours a day and got it. Great news! Next step was to come to the school and spend some time with the kids before deciding on taking the job, so I did that. I came home crying because the lights were too bright, it was too noisy and overwhelming. I am not sure I can do this, even for 4 hours a day.

Luckily I was awarded no capacity for work on UC, which means I am not required to work to receive benefits. So at least I won't starve. But I want to work! I am finding it very difficult to process the fact that I am might not be capable of work, even part-time. I feel like every time I think I think I find a job that works for me, I end up being wrong. It's like constantly hitting a wall.

This is mostly a vent but if anyone wants to share their story please do.

Just wanted to say I am exactly the same and it is so disheartening and scary. I am 31 and been out of paid employment for 5 years now due to epic burnout following trauma and then years of unrelenting stress leading to chronic illness. I've only recently started feeling like I might be able to work part-time again and started by volunteering & had to quit after 3 shifts as it was all just too much for me and the next day I'd be totally wiped out and have to cancel everything to recover. No really advice here but solidarity.

ProbableDoris · 16/01/2025 16:49

Reading with interest - suspect I have ADHD but I have always been in work (self employed for a fair bit of it) although I struggle with offices and people, but a family member is long term unemployed and pondering an adult dx for autism/ADHD. Reading the kind of jobs you do is enlightening - I was wondering if they might enjoy being a postie as they like being outside in all weather.

WeylandYutani · 16/01/2025 23:52

lolit · 23/12/2024 01:42

Same. I only lasted 4 months in my last job. I kept taking days off because I was not coping mentally with working. Got fired after 4 months and I remember not even feeling like a failure for getting fired or feeling anxious about how tf to pay rent, I literally just felt relieved that I can rest now...

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I no longer work, or worry myself with that demand of trying to. I simply can not cope with it.
I tried for many years. I tried different jobs, and many various college courses, and some at uni level too.
What keeps me well and regulated is not being employed or pressuring myself to be. My job is keeping myself well.

FatsiaJaponicaInTheGarden · 17/01/2025 01:53

I'm up at silly o'clock desperately googling jobs as mine is becoming impossible. My partner doesn't earn much and I can't see how we can support the kids if I don't work and it's so overwhelming right now.

Original poster

lolit · 17/01/2025 11:03

WeylandYutani · 16/01/2025 23:52

I no longer work, or worry myself with that demand of trying to. I simply can not cope with it.
I tried for many years. I tried different jobs, and many various college courses, and some at uni level too.
What keeps me well and regulated is not being employed or pressuring myself to be. My job is keeping myself well.

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I think I am getting to this realisation, and it's difficult to make peace with it. When I have one day when I manage 4-5h of job searching and life admin, I spend he next 4 days recovering... How am I supposed to work if I'm like this

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Original poster

lolit · 17/01/2025 11:05

FatsiaJaponicaInTheGarden · 17/01/2025 01:53

I'm up at silly o'clock desperately googling jobs as mine is becoming impossible. My partner doesn't earn much and I can't see how we can support the kids if I don't work and it's so overwhelming right now.

I'm sorry you're going through that. I would use a benefits eligibility checker, you're probably eligible if your partner doesn't earn much

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FatsiaJaponicaInTheGarden · 17/01/2025 12:33

Yes I will have a look it's all so tricky isn't it. I'd like to be settled an employed part time it's just what I'm doing isn't right for me now.

WeylandYutani · 19/01/2025 00:20

lolit · 17/01/2025 11:03

I think I am getting to this realisation, and it's difficult to make peace with it. When I have one day when I manage 4-5h of job searching and life admin, I spend he next 4 days recovering... How am I supposed to work if I'm like this

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If you are LCW/LCWRA for UC, then you can still do some work without it affecting your benefits. So, maybe see if there is some sort of self employment that would work for you. You wont be tied to making a certain amount, so you can work as and when you feel able to.
But, there is no shame in feeling like you can't do that right now.