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Working with ASD

10 replies

BandwagonsFull · 04/04/2024 13:52

Please help me think of some jobs suitable for an autistic adult with poor social skills and worsening social anxiety. Current role is public facing and causing far too much stress due to ASD.

WFH would probably be preferable, although something where interactions are quite limited may be ok too.

Current qualifications and skills are very niche and not really transferable, so would require retraining.

I'm desperate to help and think of suggestions as I can really see this person struggling and don't want them to spiral.

I've already suggested gardening!

OP posts:
Mrsttcno1 · 04/04/2024 14:00

Hi OP, would they be comfortable with a job involving phone calls, or would they also struggle with that kind of communication?

BandwagonsFull · 04/04/2024 14:18

@Mrsttcno1 Hi there, I think phone calls would be manageable as long as that wasn't the entire job role, eg call centre type role.

OP posts:
Mrsttcno1 · 04/04/2024 14:55

BandwagonsFull · 04/04/2024 14:18

@Mrsttcno1 Hi there, I think phone calls would be manageable as long as that wasn't the entire job role, eg call centre type role.

Ah I see, part of my previous role involved helping people find suitable employment, really if you are looking for a full time work from home job & especially if you are looking for an “entry level” job (which I assume this person will as you’ve mentioned that they will need fully trained) then your main/only options are going to be things like call centres, companies like EE, Sky, BT are pretty good for this, tend to have quick turn around on start dates and provide good training, but of course they are telephony jobs so the majority is going to be on the phone.

We were able to get some people into work from home admin/data entry jobs, however typically these posts (especially when full time WFH because there’s no hands on training) do require the candidate to have at least 1 years experience in a similar role, and to have some suitable qualifications to back it up.

There are other roles that do offer full time work from home in things like IT (broadly) but they all require a level of experience & qualifications from the off.

Some other options that might be worth considering, obviously depending on how this person would cope/manage, is civil service jobs. Typically now most of these jobs are hybrid, 2/3 days in the office and the rest from home, but job dependent the office days can be whatever the person needs them to be. Reasonable adjustments can always be requested so things like sitting alone if needed in a separate space, booking any meetings/calls in advance, anything that might mitigate the impact.

The biggest problem you’re going to have is that when you are looking for fully WFH jobs, for most other than call centre work the company will want candidates with experience of the job already and qualifications to back them up. When you are brand new to a totally new role then a company is less likely to want you at home all of the time because it’s harder to train, do shadowing, ask questions, learn from more experienced colleagues etc while sitting home alone x

BandwagonsFull · 04/04/2024 15:02

@Mrsttcno1 Thank you so much, this is all really helpful advice, I appreciate it 🙏🏼 x

OP posts:
dreamfield · 04/04/2024 17:22

Have you/they exhausted options like occupational health and Access to Work to ensure there aren't reasonable adjustments or additional support that could help them?

Access to Work funds support that goes beyond reasonable adjustments.

There is also a free mental health support services funded by Access to Work that can provide coaching and guidance for up to 9 months?

https://able-futures.co.uk/individuals

My concern with your initial angle of approach is that withdrawing entirely will entrench the anxiety. In the long run even if their current role is not viable, it would be better to find a middle ground and explore the support that could enable them to develop strategies and fulfil their potential. Rather than feeling the only thing they can do is shut themselves away at home.

The National Autistic Society also has lots of employment support services, so I would also check them out and see what they can offer.

Mental health support for people at work | Able Futures Mental Health Support Service

Able Futures can help you manage your mental health at work so you can enjoy more good days. We could give you nine months' advice and guidance from a mental health specialist who can help you learn coping mechanisms, build resilience, access therapy o...

https://able-futures.co.uk/individuals

BandwagonsFull · 04/04/2024 19:16

Thank you @dreamfield I do agree with you, this looks really helpful to signpost them in the right direction x

OP posts:
ThomasinaLivesHere · 04/04/2024 19:19

How about the civil service? There are jobs where you’re mainly dealing with emails and have a split between office and home.

BandwagonsFull · 05/04/2024 17:54

Thank you @ThomasinaLivesHere I will suggest this too x

OP posts:
WeightoftheWorld · 05/04/2024 18:01

Insurance/legal claims handling.
Remote customer service in banking or insurance (via online chat).
Therapy/support/helpline services via online chat.
HR?
A lot of back-office admin work doesn't require lots of interaction even if office based and isn't customer facing at least. Medical coding is a slightly more skilled example.
IT, AI, software engineering things in tech like that.

BandwagonsFull · 06/04/2024 19:20

Thank you @WeightoftheWorld some really great suggestion here x

OP posts:
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