Autism & career advice | Divergent Voices - hosted by Purple Ella

[@autism_and_niamh]

This was a fantastic video! As an autistic ADHDer, new careers are a nightmare for me because unless I'm doing a very set routine every day (or have been in a place long enough to understand basically every process or outcome), I have an endless stream of questions and panic on the daily. I think my employers get tired of my questions, but I just have to ask them! A) Because otherwise I will forget the question almost immediately, and B) because otherwise I feel like a big piece of the wider puzzle is missing. It feels like I'm constantly trying to slot things into an organised pattern but if starting a new career, particularly one which deals with a lot of people, the puzzle pieces get scattered again. To continue the metaphor, it takes me a solid year or two to even start seeing the puzzle as a whole and what the picture is even meant to be. Not to mention how difficult it is to get a job in the first place! Interviews are awful for me too. Great idea to ask other people (family, friends) about your transferable skills, because I always get stuck when it comes to that part of the interview or selection process. Thank you!

[@MithMathy]

This is such a helpful discussion! I have ADHD, possibly autism, and I've struggled after leaving graduate school. I'm highly trained and have a lot of skills, but it's hard to show that sometimes with executive function challenges. I got my first post grad job but after a couple years, they didn't have the budget to keep me, so I've been moved to an independent contractor role while I look for another job. I wanted to try self employment, but it's been so hard. I don't have enough hours right now to pay my bills and don't know how to pick up extra work. But then looking for and applying to new jobs - and understanding what would even be a good match for me - is completely overwhelming. I've wished I could talk with come kind of coach but can't afford it. This advice is so helpful and practical! And the discussion helps me to feel less ashamed for struggling so much with this. ❤️

[@clarepollen]

I'm a careers adviser. This is really helpful for me. I'm about to start working in a specialist school. Any body for suggestions about how you would have liked a careers adviser engage with you when you were at school? I want it to be a good experience!

[@christinakellagher7594]

Wonderful conversation and so helpful. I’m late diagnosed and in the middle of a career change because of this/burnout etc. So thank you! 🙏

[@WilliamFontaineJr]

Excellent presentation with multiple helpful strategies for solving work problems. I am not autistic yet I sure could have used the wisdom in this video in almost every work situation I was in in my entire working career. Well done again.

[@helenm1085]

I really relate to a lot of this! I've been lucky enough to work for a couple of different businesses that are interested in workplace neurodiversity, and having that support has really boosted my confidence - unfortunately the arts is a hard place to earn a living, so I haven't ever got off government payments

[@Amazon_213]

Omg. I relate to SO MUCH of this discussion. Please do more maybe one on each step? I feel lost when I think about getting started

[@SarahFairbairnSacaKat]

Fantastic video, thank you. Came from Purple Ellla’s channel and have now subscribed here.

[@loricat5606]

Interesting and informative!

[@Mortequal]

Thank you! This makes so much sense.

[@robertwest863]

*promo sm*