Why Autistic Unemployment Is So High | Claire Barnett | TEDxVanderbiltUniversity

[@acebaker3623]

I am almost 60 and have just been diagnosed ASD. I have never had a job that I haven't been fired/laid off from. The reason has always been: "You do a great job, but, you just don't fit in."

[@hannashorna3900]

Take care!

[@JimmyJaxJellyStax]

That's undeniable prejudice, I would sue these companies

[@Countcho]

I got great remarks on my work but was let go “because i talk too smart and its hard on my coworkers” whattttttt

[@kylemonkiewicz2803]

@@JimmyJaxJellyStax they then bring up policy and work around it

[@JimmyJaxJellyStax]

@@kylemonkiewicz2803 yep

[@r3claim3r]

No one knew I had autism when I had graduated from college. I simply could not find a job in my major, and I couldn't find out why. My parents blamed me for it all. I then took a job at a former workplace until I could land a proper professional career. My parents then threw me out citing how unhappy they were with me. Now that the truth is known, however, everyone close to me now understands. But, no one should ever have to struggle like that alone.

[@a.notherperson1192]

oh god. i feel your pain. i went through some of that myself with my own parents. they seemed to think my having autism was a joke, and not a real thing with real life consequences

[@asasial1977]

My family started kicking me out at 7.

[@justjust8953]

haha my parents knew full well that I had Aspergers, and they threw me out anyway. I also didnt get to go to college. you are privileged and you should think about that a bit.

[@mtndew490]

@@justjust8953 im having an attack@!!!!!!!!!!!

[@ECP67]

@AspieKing, you deserve way better than this. I hope everything is getting better for you.

[@CuteCatsofIstanbul]

At age 45, if it weren't for my parents and my sister, I'd be homeless, jobless, penniless ... thus probably dead. Employment is such a big part of life, yet the impossibility of it all for people on the ASD is rarely spoken about. For the majority of the world, it is 'just' work. For us it is never just ... nothing is ever just that. It is lights, action, fibres, the feel on our skin, thrills, millions of emotions, dust, fake smiles, awkward moments, bright sunshine in our eyes, mental break down, shut down, a hello gone wrong, our brains exploding, sounds, too loud sounds, too continuous sounds, darkness, lightness, spinning, zooming, our souls being crushed ....

[@ludicrousmodel3173]

I'm really sorry to hear this, but I'm glad that you have a loving family to help you. Have you ever considered becoming self employed such as starting your own business?

[@CuteCatsofIstanbul]

@@ludicrousmodel3173 Thank you for your kind words ❤I have a very part time job indeed, set up by someone who also suffers from chronic pain/anxiety. And I started a KZbin channel - more of a hobby and a passion, but it's a great outlet for me to feel 'useful'. Plus the times I did work, I knew it wouldn't last long so I saved up most of my income. Thank you again. 🥰

[@leilam1010]

facts

[@frog6054]

I will off myself because I have no one to support me.

[@thebestmarcela]

Great comment, I can very much relate

[@meowmiaumiauw]

It's just a discrimination problem. Even if you have a downright implausible level of formal education, employers just don't want to deal with someone who's "a bit off" or "special". Genuinely doesn't matter who you are, what you look like, what you think, what you've done, or how you behave. They just don't like us, and never have. You can be self-employed, be on disability, or be dead. There are no other options, aside from the one-in-a-million chance of being hired for a job by an autistic business owner.

[@andrewwilliams1857]

Implausible?

[@meowmiaumiauw]

@@andrewwilliams1857 "Implausible level of formal education" as in you have so many different degrees and qualifications that it becomes suspicious or implausible. Someone with 25 different Master's degrees in unrelated fields has an "implausible level of formal education". Someone who is legally qualified to translate between 10 different languages has an "implausible level of formal education".

[@jasondeutschbein8102]

@@meowmiaumiauw but.. those people exist.

[@darlalathan6143]

@@jasondeutschbein8102 I guess most managers never read the Guinness Book of World Records, lol!

[@neredan1182]

i am this kind of person and cant get a job... in my country we have governmental job consulting and they told me im close to be overqualified for everything and therefore give them a second reason to not employ me. great life...

[@impalaman9707]

The bottom line is---people that don't understand ASD , which is the majority of employers, think you're just plain "weird". And "weirdness", in our culture unfortunately, is a disqualifier. As someone who is on "the Spectrum", I seem to notice the places I have been hired are places that have equally weird, eccentric people, including the employer themselves. It really comes down to 'culture", and if you already have a culture of "weird, eccentric" people, then you're their kind of people and they will hire you

[@svm5543]

This!! Working in alternative scenes centered on hollisitic health and consciousness has really helped me. I used to work in a corporate office and I'd cry my eyes out in my car everyday before going in

[@blondie9422]

Yes but how do you find those people

[@citydweller99]

Working from home has been a godsend for me. I can get my work done, and only have 30 minute 1 n 1's via zoom bi weekly. Perfect for me

[@impalaman9707]

@@citydweller99 Same here! Ever since my employer sent me to work remotely from home due to Covid at the end of March 2020, seeing how much more productive I am doing so, and the wear and tear I'm saving my car, I'm as nervous about going back to the office as a kid having to go back to school after the winter break. I'm clearly NOT one of these people who wants to go back so I "can see my FRIENDS"---I hardly had any friends, anyway. Just people to distract me from getting work done. Not that I'm not "friendly", but I put everything in its proper time and place, and there is a time to socialise and there is a time to work--and when I'm at work, I'm all about work and nothing else.

[@hllyenaylleth9576]

No, it's down to legal aspects and less chances of people being odd out of the blue.

[@steve00alt70]

When you get the job its a matter of how long you can hold down the job but I got dismissed from many jobs because of my autism impacting my job performance

[@zrdm6482]

Fellow autist here, to be fair- when it impacts your job performance and accomodations have been attempted it's time to go- it's nobody's fault and this I see as fairer. It's when vindictive bullies go open season.

[@anetapostek9833]

Ive been told I’ve an attitude or my performance is inconsistent because I have work until I’m burnt out. 😂

[@fairywingsonroses]

I've been told I'm unapproachable and unfriendly. My last job, I actually quit because I just got too exhausted to even work. I loved the actual job, but I had no energy left after only 6 years (the longest I've ever held a job, but still not long enough to live on or retire from). It really is frustrating to know that every time you get a job, it's likely not going to be forever because something beyond your control is going to mess it up.

[@thebattler5478]

I'm autistic & I have a job but always feel misunderstood by the people I work with. I can engage in small talk but I don't always feel that it's necessary in all workplace situations - so I untintentionally offend people. Most of the time, I keep my mouth shut at work so as not to cause offense, but other people (usually the neurotypicals) get offended no matter what I do. There are some understanding people at work but it's a daily struggle trying to be accepted for who I am.

[@turtleanton6539]

Agreeed they rhink you talk to muxh or not wnough. Ypyr to serious or yoy joke to much. 😅😅 Never happy

[@aaacomp1]

Yep, we're never right in their eyes. No matter what we do.

[@emilyb5557]

Sounds tough and tiring for you. Have you been able to access ND job coaching? I've found it really helpful.

[@On.the.right.branch]

Yes, them being offended at everything you do is the trick. It's too keep you stressed and like you're walking on eggshells. Experiment and find what least offends them and stick to that. For the rest of it pretend like you just don't get it and you don't remember ever acting offensive just laugh about it. Act like you don't care and believe it this will take practice, remember you're there for yourself stop trying to be understood they don't care. All they care about is that you act and talk like them so pretend to do that too, they don't tolerate differences it's all a lie.

[@cometasporelcielo]

have you *tried* to figure out why they're offended? My ASD dad had a lot of learning to do about why he hurt me emotionally. We BOTH had learning to do. It's not just the NTs fault. you have a responsibility too.

[@kilo-watt]

Self employment is the only way I’ve been fulfilled in my work. Feel blessed to have found a niche that works for my wife and I to make a living and sustain ourselves, without working for someone else. It’s tough for people like us out there. The corporate world doesn’t want the boat rocked and us aspies tend to do that.

[@martinkaczynski8526]

@Vanessa Eans Your son needs to go on a job scheme for disabled people that helps disabled people find work.

[@aaacomp1]

Exactly. Try telling corporate that you're good at rooting out problems and fixing them. They cringe and yell, next!

[@azorahigh3218]

@@aaacomp1 truer words have never been spoken

[@motoboy6666]

@kilo-watt Whats the niche? Just curious(same problems)

[@dcarbs2979]

Long story short: Employers see short-comings in social competence as short-comings in employability competence. Even when the person is highly capable at the job.

[@Dancestar1981]

We are highly capable we just aren’t given a go. I have Aspergers and ADHD Inattentive, Anxiety, Depression and RSD but in the right supportive environment I shine.

[@gian5602]

Their loss.

[@anglobostonian]

@@Dancestar1981 and because our issues aren't seen as "visible" we aren't often "given a go." It's the same reason dating often eludes people on the Spectrum. Rightly or wrongly, social skills matter to most people and all the demanding of rights in the world is not going to change that.

[@anglobostonian]

@@gian5602 wrong. It's our loss. Employers have the advantage in being the gatekeepers and with hiring and firing power. Because people on the Spectrum are perceived as being future lawsuits and detrimental to the workplace, employers are less willing to hire us. Especially since we have a transient workplace where they want people whom they feel they won't have to train and who are guaranteed to make/save them money right away.

[@edwardrook8146]

This is the story of my professional life. My bosses never saw my work they only saw my quirks and promoted other people who were lazy and un focused just because they were easy to get along with or told jokes.

[@robinfox4440]

In my own experience, I lost out on employment because my autism, which I kept under wraps, started to show and people just flatly didn't want me around. I've been sabotaged, bullied, and just plainly denied employment over a myriad of misunderstandings and miscommunications, all stemming from my being autistic and feeling like I had no idea how to properly communicate with the person interviewing me, or my colleagues when I actually managed to get a job. I got singled out as the weird guy in the office; people avoided me, and management made trouble for me out of nothing. It's just discrimination and an obsession with conformity and "normality".

[@seekeroftruth1484]

Facts

[@torturedsouldepartment]

Exactly. They don’t want a lawsuit so they say things like “you just don’t fit in with our “culture”” 🙄

[@turtleanton6539]

Same

[@j.b.4340]

Constant conflict, and being perpetually overlooked for promotion, while turning in the best work…every time.

[@andreagriffiths3512]

My mum asked me about my lack of a career, future hopes, the ability to afford any type of housing and suggested I need a better job. Sure I do but yeah, pipe dream. I told her I was unemployable and she was quite cross and asked why I thought that. I told her I’d been fired from practically every job starting from work experience in year 9. I also told her the stats and she was horrified. Still doesn’t help mind you

[@snackdragonn]

I'm the person who makes their coffee. I'm fluent in three languages with a college degree but because of my social differences from NTs, I am unable to maintain jobs in my field of research. I actually love being a barista because it is monotonous and consistent hand movement that feel like stimming to me, but because I have to mask with customers, I can only do it for about 15 hours a week.

[@turtleanton6539]

Sounds reasonable 😅

[@fairywingsonroses]

I'm the same way with my job. I'm a college writing consultant, which basically means I grade essays for a living. I like the job, and I feel like it fits well within my skill set and the way my brain works. However, it's so mentally exhausting to have to focus so intently on minor details that I can only do it for about 2 hours a day. I was a high school teacher, and I really liked that job, but I don't think I could do it again unless I really got myself into a good self-care routine. So far, I can't even get through breakfast without getting distracted and unmotivated. 😔

[@procrastinator99]

It’s finally being discussed. As someone on the Spectrum, this means so much to me.

[@hllyenaylleth9576]

It's 'discussed', nothing will happen though. It's dangerous business hiring people who easily could be unpredictable. They would rather just be safe and not hire such people ..

[@PraveenSrJ01]

@@hllyenaylleth9576 these people need to be punched right in the face (the employers who discriminate just for how someone presents themselves)

[@DMalltheway]

@@hllyenaylleth9576 Just screw them over and get money from the government from the taxes they pay. If they don’t want to give the opportunity for them to earn then they will leach.

[@PraveenSrJ01]

@@hllyenaylleth9576 not exactly sure what is wrong with you

[@awkwardnerd.]

Being rejected has ruined my self esteem

[@darlalathan6143]

Mine, too, until I was diagnosed and went on disability.

[@stephenstumbke1721]

Same here

[@PraveenSrJ01]

I need to go on disability if my social problems at work continues indefinitely

[@sharonamberbennett4725]

I don’t want to go on disability but I’m applying anyway. I dream of one day being self sufficient.

[@turtleanton6539]

Me2

[@rubenabellanperez4272]

I'm 25 years old and I was diagnosed with Asperger syndrome, which is now included at Austism Spectrum Disorders (ASD), when I was 10. The main issue in our society is the lack of awareness of this kind of disorders, here at Spain at least. Since I was a child I suffered ghosting, and when I was in 8th and 9th degree I was bulled by a girl I liked and two guys), being after bulled by a whole high school and finishing being trapped in a mistreatment relationship; . When I got access to university, I was ghosted as well, being rejected in every work group and I remember I always needed to ask teacher about the last group available (sometimes ending up carrying out the whole work). Since I've finished my degree, I tried to find a job unsuccessfully due to my poor social skills. These combination of bullying, ghosting, mistreatment and difficulties to find a job makes in you a sense of uselessness, loneliness, disadaptation, but at the same time, you become a social analyzer and it makes you to be critic about how our social system is meaning. PD: Sorry for possible mistakes :)

[@shadowfox933]

Your English was fine. There were a few mistakes, but nothing big

[@az-tl3mh]

I'm a bit older, but I've also been through the same.

[@aaacomp1]

I'm 46 and what you typed is basically my whole life story. Everyone has something bad to say about me. Even though I have only ever tried to help anyone that i've come across. It's maddening and I no longer want to participate in people's lives.

[@taylorbee4010]

I would also say that the restricted behavior really isn't a symptom but a result of dealing with symptoms like social anxiety from repeated exposure to bad interactions. It's easier to stick to that which provides stimuli that is consistent and safe. Rather than constantly navigate gray area.

[@neredan1182]

according to new (neuro) science you are actually right. look up intense world theory by henry markram.

[@raven4090]

I agree.

[@almondmilksoda]

Yes! Gray area means uncertainty, which means hypervigilance and masking, which is exhausting.

[@marcusappelberg369]

So True!

[@hengistcz1940]

I got autism. When I was kid I was bullied. When I was teen I was manipulated. When I am studying at university I am being avoided by my peers. I can imagine being unemployed once I finish school. Even tho I keep saying myself it will be fine and just focusing on studies.

[@jtal2899]

Go for self-employment. If you can’t find a place in society, it’s because the Universe intends for you to carve out your own place.

[@jtal2899]

基亚拉 People do what you allow them to do. Stick up for yourself firmly when people try to put you down. Keep trying on different jobs until you find the workplace that accepts you. Many people with Asperger’s fail to make it in life because they accept the narrative that they are victims and “cannot function in society.” Honestly, life got easier for me once I stopped trying to repress my autistic traits to please people. We were taught to emulate neurotypical behavior in school, but that is NOT what we were put on this earth to do! Also, if you try to kill yourself before your soul has completed its karma/its mission for this life, you will either -A) Survive your attempt and end up physically disabled the rest of your life or B) Die, and end up having to deal with the exact same problems you encountered in this life.

[@hengistcz1940]

@@jtal2899 I think you have a point there. There is a lot of places who accept diverse people in job. With modern inclusion programs many people critisize. So it should get easier to find a job. With autism awareness rising, more people will start to feel that autism is a personality quirk and not an insult to be thrown at uncivilised behaving peers. So that victimhood status is likely outdated. I mean even on university I got a centre of people for support of handicapped, like blind people, aspies or paralyzed. That is why is selected my particular university. . As to that opinion about the sould. I do not think people have soul. You are just your nervous system. Thats it. Conscious in your brain and unconscious throughout your body. What would even having sould mean? Does it mean that I have an autistic soul? How would you separate what comes from soul and what from body? I think it is much more simple. Soul is just way to avoid worrying about death. If you read dostoyevsky even prisoner on death row before getting executed thinks some miracle will happen. That he will be resurrected after dying, or wont die etc...

[@jtal2899]

Hengist CZ Hengist CZ I wouldn’t believe it without evidence. There are several accounts of children who have accurately given details of an already deceased person’s life. Furthermore, the accounts of people who have experienced NDEs are also quite compelling. Skeptics will dismiss these experiences as “hallucinations,” but many report similar experiences (going through a tunnel, feeling intense love, going out of body). Autistic soul? That made me laugh. Autistic is just a label created by man. And I think the soul chooses to incarnate into such a body for a reason. Neurotypicals run society in a very egocentric, conformist way. Quite frankly, our society is very very archaic, and 500-1000 years down the road we will undoubtedly be seen as such. We need different people like us to pull them out of their narrow box! I personally have perceived ghosts, and experienced way too many fateful encounters and coincidences to not believe in God. I could go on for hours. But I don’t want to force my beliefs onto you. Just because you can’t perceive something, doesn’t mean it isn’t there. The devil’s biggest trick was convincing the world that he didn’t exist.

[@rayblack2004]

@@jtal2899 self employment is not recommended.

[@MrAdriancooke]

Many years before I was finally diagnosed I had a job interview in London: the interview was over almost before it began as I "locked up" with anxiety and my mind went blank. The interviewer seemed to feel threatened by this and told me that she would call security if I did not leave immediately.

[@elizabethmann3041]

That’s wretched, I’m so sorry she did that to you!

[@stephenstumbke1721]

That's awful, sorry you were treated so badly

[@ninjagames4453]

People can’t understand different, but the worst part is that you are valuable and people can’t see it.

[@torturedsouldepartment]

And they say we’re the ones with problems 🙄

[@TomasioTV]

In my last interview back on 2019 the interviewer literarily said he was considering not hiring me because of my ASD, and I was indeed declined as I've been in all of my interviews. Fortunately my country provides social security for the disabled. The thought of work is too stressful and I tend to get quickly exhausted. I feel an obligation to not be a leech and thus I write articles without monetization at the moment, and dedicate some of my money to advertising so people would see my content. Currently I am content with the few that I am left with, far below minimum wage, since I lead an ascetic lifestyle.

[@VenusVoice]

I get quickly exhausted too.

[@MasterAdam100]

I secretly record all of my job interviews just in case I can bring them to court for discrimination. It's about time we ND folk start trying to fight for ourselves. Either I get a job or a large settlement. Win win.

[@AlexCrocker]

@@MasterAdam100 That's a pretty good idea

[@mauer594]

If I'm being frank, as a fellow aspie, if I was told that I would seriously consider just driving into a tree on the way home. Good luck.

[@darlalathan6143]

@@mauer594 No need! I went on disability and inherited my mom's house!

[@vicvega24]

Being autistic and unemployed destroyed my life. Couldn't get a job or getting help career wise made me start to punch a wall. My biggest fear is being homeless.

[@nikitaheredia416]

My biggest fear is homeless too, I’m trying to get a job this year and I think there needs to be more help for autistic people to get employment within the community.

[@PraveenSrJ01]

Fortunately I have a wealthy family but I don’t want to risk that wealth by getting arrested and ending up in the criminal justice system for harassing or frightening others in anger. If I did I admit I will be fully responsible and accountable for my actions.

[@mauneen19]

In my opinion ignorance, a lack of awareness of autism, bullying, abuse and discriminination in all areas destroy lives. There should be a law against employment discrimination

[@ranelgallardo7031]

Homelessness rate in the ASD community is 60% sadly for this reason.

[@turtleanton6539]

Same. I am also in debt

[@Jemini4228]

That's the thing: providing equal opportunities and reasonable adjustments is indicative of a person centred attitude that treats people like individuals rather than part of a machine. This mindset is bound to benefit people of all neurotypes by being more accommodating of everyone's needs

[@PurpledaisyShasta]

I am 26 and I have never had a real lasting job. I have been lied to, manipulated and not given a fair chance. I am tired of rejection. I went to a job interview yesterday that lasted literally two seconds and she made it clear she wanted someone who had “recent experience”. It was clear she didn’t read my resume before I got there. I was forced to go on the disability pension because no one would hire me. I have literally become suicidal because of it. On top of my autism I also have ADHD, OCD, PTSD, depression and anxiety. The constant rejection has done nothing but make my mental health worse. This has gotten so bad that I am dangerously close to dumping my boyfriend. He was propose or move out of his parents place until we are living together. He refuses to rent and won’t move out of his parents place until we can afford a down payment or mortgage for a house. And I can’t move in with him in his parents place because there is no room for me there. And no he is not autistic. He is mostly neurotypical. I feel that not being given the chance to work has put my life on hold and it’s not fair. Recently I “got a job” at a cake shop and was told I would do a week of unpaid training. Which would have been fine if it was just training. It was full work day shifts for not pay that ended up being two work weeks long. I quit when it became obvious I was being exploited. Silver lining I contacted their corporate office and it turns out they were suppose to pay me during my training period and that I will be paid. Over one in a half thousand dollars to go to my down payment.

[@maeve4352]

My thoughts are with you. If your boyfriend accepts and understands you, *DO NOT* let him go anywhere. I'm only 18 but I very nearly lost/left my girlfriend of 4 years during a recent depressive episode. She is the only person in the world who truly accepts me, whilst the rest of the world calls me all manner of insults from behind the invisible wall. Hold on for dear life, the connections we do make are more valuable than anything else c:

[@PurpledaisyShasta]

@@maeve4352 I just feel that me not being given a chance is unfair in him as well. He has seen first hand the stress of supporting a family on mostly one income. His dad has a head injury and doesn’t work and his mum does everything for them. I don’t want him to feel the way his mum does.

[@maeve4352]

@@PurpledaisyShasta The way the world treats us is completely unfair for sure, and it does impact those around us. That being said, you are just as valuable as anyone else, and you deserve love! Don't let society's bias against autism isolate you! (i believe) THIS is why so many of us never marry, to avoid sharing our struggles with another. The best thing is working together with him to overcome. You help him, and he helps you. With open communication and trust, *he will come to his own conclusions* (I've found accepting that especially challenging in my own life). We're all in this cruel world together, stay connected. I've finally been having therapy for 6 months now, and that's THE thing that's changed my life; valuing connection above all else. I did once it was gone...

[@maeve4352]

@@PurpledaisyShasta Do you have any autistic friends?

[@mlwilliams7959]

Good for you! Do everything you can to stand up for yourself!

[@srmxe417]

Let's get this up to a billion upvotes! "Adherence to social norms as a measure of competence" I am stunned she says it so succinctly.

[@laurence2421]

Lol “social norms” isn’t the problem. I work on cargo ships. In the academy, we had an autistic recruit and he couldn’t grasp so many concepts, it became a pain to keep babysitting him. During the firefighting portion of the program, he f*cked up so bad, the school had to investigate further. He was liable to get someone KILLED in our industry because he couldn’t hang. It wasn’t “society” or the “system” or “capitalism.” He just couldn’t understand complex instructions or abstract ideas. They found he was autistic and kicked him out. He could have killed someone on the open ocean.

[@Ozzianman]

​​@@laurence2421 He must have been severely autistic then if he had that much issues. If he was a liability, then it is correct to remove him Autism or not. Security first, always. Autism itself is a spectrum varying from functional people to people who need 24/7 care. I am diagnosed with Asperger syndrome and work in IT with plans to go back to studies. I know a couple of other aspies, one does CNC machining while the other is currently studying Computer Science at University. But I also know a lot of people on the spectrum who are struggling to even get a job because they fail at the social norms even though they would do good work if given the chance. This is a real issue for high functioning autists and I am among the very small minority who is able to consistently hold down a job because I have gotten so good at masking to the point it can take years before people learn that I am autistic.

[@carissab397]

@@laurence2421ah yes, one singular autistic person represents all autistic people. I forgot were all exactly the same, and don’t have varying degrees of intelligence, like all humans do.

[@tylerwinter512]

@@laurence2421tell us you’re NT without telling us you’re NT.

[@joycezale5433]

I've decided to become self-employed. Ofcourse, it won't be easy. But at least I won't get rejected or laid off.

[@castlerock7423]

I've considered this myself, but what is out there that people like us would like to do that doesn't take too much time? I need to be able to have enough time to process the day otherwise I'll just be unhappy.

[@vanillasplash6198]

@@castlerock7423 growing cannabis

[@MrNeptunebob]

One thing I cannot understand is that people with autism do not get employed and do not have opportunities, yet you know who do get a lot of opportunities? DRUNKS! I have found that having a drinking problem is enabled in some workplaces. I am not talking about the people going to AA and trying to recover from alcoholism, I am talking about people still drinking and even bragging about it. This is mostly in blue collar jobs, but I have found it in offices too.

[@MrNeptunebob]

I have also found that when people with alcoholism start to want to recover and go to AA they are actually at risk of losing their jobs, some employers like their workers drunk. I have heard some employers in construction say "I lose so many of my workers when they go to AA".

[@AnoniMousen-s6k]

i became a drunk because of work...

[@Dolce3339]

Being a drunk is socially acceptable. Sad truth.

[@sabby123456789]

My dad always yells and scolds me for not being able to see things as a whole picture rather than at a focal point. Then he yells if you think you have a problem, get help! I get sick knowing that I am 50% genetically related to him. He is one of my worst enemies.

[@KateFrancis-eo2rp]

Some people should not be allowed to have children.

[@catguy4996]

Don't worry, I hate my Dad too. It's apparently not that rare for autistic people to have bad relationships with their Dads

[@mooreanonumbers]

There's some bitter irony in having a talk about ASD inclusion with such terrible audio recording/mixing and sudden loud noises with no warning

[@glassycreek1991]

Shows how little they care

[@tylerwinter512]

Hahah. I definitely noticed.

[@labuenasuertee]

"employers are using adherence to social norms as a measure of general competence" yeah.

[@pablov9934]

It gives me great calm to know there are others like me out there, struggling in this hard world, I love you guys we are all in this together don't give up.

[@supaipai420]

Ive lost 11 jobs for being too slow and me being on the Autistic Spectrum. I cosinder myself really smart, but not able to do task normally most people can do. I also think my smarts gets me in trouble too or not liked.

[@azorahigh3218]

you're not alone, I have issues with physical tasks taking longer for me to "get up to speed" than others, but as soon as I point out a more efficient way to do things I get" we don't do it that way" then weeks later everybody starts doing it my way and takes credit. society wants sheeple and we can't fit into that category.

[@takomomo2121]

I am autistic and I have been harassed at school, and at work. As a girl, life is really hard, I look 'normal' so people really tend to judge me

[@venetianskies]

The reason is quite simple: allistic people dont see us as having value. Western society defines value by productivity, and they dont want to invest in us scince that would cost time and money when they can just exploit us. Autistic people should be most concerned about building community, which wont be easy scince many of us have been systemically demoralized. allists dont want to understand us, so much for emphathy i guess.

[@takomomo2121]

@@venetianskies a community of asd’s would be such a beautiful thing with caring and imaginative people. I agree, If we could just focus on living existing and loving each other. Our values are individual to each person and we all bring something different to the table.

[@venetianskies]

@@takomomo2121 I agree it would be beautifull yet we need to share the same values in order to keep balance, a moral code is needed to keep any society in tact. If you analysize the foundations of the modern allistic society it becomes clear the biggest problem is their decadence and pride. Materialism is what has ruined them. In order to prevent an hypothetical society made out of people with asd from falling we need to be the opposite of them. We should look after our own firstly but we should not abandon our humanity in pursuit of tribal values. Sorry for the word salad, but this cannot be understated

[@seekeroftruth1484]

I’m a 46 year old attractive biracial woman and it has always been that way for me but I didn’t know I was autistic until now because I masked it being a college student, being a mother, being on autopilot, conforming to be able to support us. Now I’m burned out. My advice is avoid people and find a career in which you have minimal social interactions. Find a man with similar interests as you and build with him. I wish I had better advice for all of us enduring this discrimination.

[@raynorashid4682]

I got disqualified from job interviews countless times, they keep saying I sound uninterested in the interview just based on my tone of voice.

[@lindsays9976]

We're so stuck in our head trying to find the right words and determine if we've said too much or too little that we can't regulate everything else - eye contact, posture, voice volume, tone. I've been told the same thing but I'm unable to change or improve... it's just the stress response to being in the interview regardless of practice.

[@fairywingsonroses]

Same. I've been told I'm too emotionless. What people don't understand is that I've perfected the art of stoicism for a reason. It's because I can either show no/little emotion, or I get so emotional and out of control that it scares people away. If I don't react with emotion, it's not because I'm disinterested. It's literally because I don't have the energy to process and regulate an emotional reaction.

[@angrynoodletwentyfive6463]

Coming to terms with the reality that the world is in fact not going to make space for you and that you have to make space for yourself is one of the most harrowing processes of an Autistic person's life, and the most annoying part is that the nerotypical world engages in performative inclusivity, blames you for your disability, exploits you for subsidized labor tells you to just "try harder" and then sweeps the problem under the rug. There was a little person that said something that I think applies to alot of autists as well "I don't suffer because I am 4 feet tall I suffer because of the way I am treated" and that really hit me as an autistic person. If you have autism don't let the Neurotypicals gaslight you into think you are unemployed because you are lazy or that you aren't trying hard enough. If they want us to be employed and be off government assistance they have to make employment accessible to us full stop. Otherwise we are all just going to continue doing our own thing over here in the corner and you have no right to criticize us for it.

[@cometasporelcielo]

i think that could be said about anyone's life. getting over the "it's everyone else's fault!" even when it is, and taking personal responsibility has gone a long way with my ASD husband, who is fully employed making 180k.

[@SieNoel]

in the same breath i've been told i outperformed any candidate they'd ever seen for the skills and qualifications portion of a job but they were going with someone who was a more suited relational fit, and was encouraged to open up more and talk more about, like, how i was in choir in high school and stuff and maybe reapply when they opened a duplicate position down the line.

[@Ozzianman]

Ma'am We are conducting a job interview. Not a life story interview. I would respond along those lines. I rarely if ever talk about my personal life at work. When I am at work, I am in the mindset to do work. I like keeping work and personal separated. In my free time I am Billie Bob Karlson. At work, I am Billie the IT Guy.

[@wintermatherne2524]

That should be illegal and it might be!

[@renren4910]

Im 17 With high functioning autism I heard that Most People like me are unemployed and also heard that some of them get fired because of their autism i even cried because i think that i will end up like them..I cant even stop thinking about it.. Like thinking that i will have no future..

[@deatricktharpe7200]

I’m 32 and although it has not been easy. I have held down every job I’ve ever cared about for a year or more. One job I had for 6 years. It can be done. Watch a lot of tv and movies and socialize as much as you can.

[@renatamiron8095]

You will have a future. Better believe it.

[@hllyenaylleth9576]

@@renatamiron8095 Better not believe it, this world is messed up!

[@hllyenaylleth9576]

@@deatricktharpe7200 Are you high functioning or great at masking??

[@Topg1]

Don’t worry. You don’t know what the future holds.

[@ludicrousmodel3173]

As a 17 year old on the spectrum, I can totally relate. I've been trying to get a job for 2 years, and no one has ever hired me. Whenever I meet the manager or drop my resume off at the front desk, I can tell that they're getting bad impressions. It's a sad world that we live in where employers are unknowingly discriminating against people with challenges and neurodivergence on a day to day basis.

[@drbarney1000]

The plague excused me from job interviews. I have a PhD in math and physics and had to quit university teaching because I could not successfully defend myself against a supervisor who was stealing from me and taking away my vacations and time off. Since I quit, I got temporarily hired in an Amazon warehouse and when that ended one of the several agencies got me work in a dental supply house so close to my house I can bicycle to work most days. The agency required me to present proof of a high school diploma or a GED which I do not have. I sent them a copy of my transcript and diploma of my PhD and they waived this requirement. I think it took a PhD to make this happen; I needed a PhD in what for many is a harder subject and circumstances to circumvent a formal job interview to get what a normal person can get with a GED.

[@rollingdudes8859]

I got a bachelors in applied mathematics and NO ONE WILL HIRE ME with my Asperger's and Anxiety Disorders!!! I am now on disability because of it!!!

[@rollingdudes8859]

@Ti Klim No one will give my ANY JOB AT ALL!!!

[@neredan1182]

funny enough i had a similar experience, except they didnt accept my bachelors degree in place for a 10. grade diploma. yes im still unemployed

[@nikkiholthaus9692]

I plan to write my state senators once this virus stuff settles down. I want to create legislation that prevents discrimination against autistic employees in the hiring process and modifies the interview process so that autistic candidates cannot be screened out for reasons such as poor social skills. I also hope that this legislation can include mandatory autism awareness education in schools as well as in the workplace. This will educate students to respect autistic peers and help prevent bullying and these students being left out of social events such as birthday parties. This will also educate employers by informing them of the differences of autistic employees and how to effectively communicate with them such as giving clear and direct instructions and not relying so much on non verbal social cues as communication as many autistic individuals cannot understand them.

[@sagapoetic8990]

It's very much needed. Our society in the US has shifted drastically to an emphasis on social netowrking and group-think. Connections propel promotions in the workplace, not skills or productivity. It's interesting you mention the issues of instructions -- most instructions whether in the classroom, picking insurance, putting together technical stuff, or yes, in the workplace -- are poorly conceived, constructed, and conveyed. You don't have to be autistic to struggle with this aspect. It's amazing and frustrating

[@teflonpan115]

What is that gonna do? Employers will just use another excuse not to hire you. Like they do already. They'll say you don't have enough experience. Or whatever. People are corrupt by nature. I mean people just in general.

[@VenusVoice]

We can do an online petition so we can all send out letters, what do you think?

[@sagapoetic8990]

@@VenusVoice I think it would be a welcome and needed thing to do

[@SharlenesJourney]

It’s needed the bullying and trauma in the workplace and in school is out of control and it’s unfair

[@HardKickinGroupGermany]

I never had a job and I'm 30. The majority of companies simply don't have autism-friendly work spaces and I'm afraid, this will never be fully possible.

[@lynnp456]

I always get in trouble every single place where I work even tho I am a great employee who is never late and helps out everyone and doesn't gossip , they say that my mouth gets me in trouble and "you can't say that "

[@mariannemealey4136]

Literally exact same here.

[@FlyboyHelosim]

It's funny because now I know that I have Asperger's, it explains a situation I found myself in years ago that I now laugh about. I'd been unemployed for a while and was getting Job Seekers Allowance and I wasn't meeting their expectations so was sent to some careers interview held by some employment agency 25 miles away in the city. When I had the interview, the woman asked me how many hours a week I'd be available for work and I said none. She looked at me totally dumbfounded and don't remember what she said, although it was shock. She just assumed that because I was sent there that I was actually looking for work and was ready to start immediately. The fact is I wasn't, as at the time I was working full-time, voluntarily, doing underground rock and metal band and music promotion. I was hyper-focused on it to the point of addiction, was excelling at it, and at the time nothing else mattered. I didn't have time for anything else, especially not 'work'. In the space of less than a year I went from a nobody to managing bands' media and online presence, booking and advertising shows for them... without ever having met them in person and from the other side of the world. So I guess the moral of the story is... I wasn't not working because I was lazy or incompetent. I was not working because my interests at the time weren't being catered for professionally, and there either weren't any jobs available or none that I would successfully apply for, in the fields that I was interested in.

[@bikerboy9010]

This is an excellent and informative video. It's true that many autistic people struggle with employment, finding jobs, keeping jobs, etc. A lot of autistic people are unemployed and underemployed. It's sad how many autistic people struggle with employment, finding jobs, keeping jobs, etc. It's sad how many autistic people are unemployed and underemployed. Autistic people have a lot to offer. They should be given a chance. Jobs are hard to come by in general nowadays even for people that aren't disabled. Minimum wage jobs, amazon jobs, fast food jobs, retail jobs, etc are jobs where typically as long as the interview goes well, as long as you meet the general criteria for the job, etc, you're hired, but many jobs aren't like that. Accounting jobs, Engineering jobs, Finance jobs, Communications jobs, mechanic jobs, medical jobs, jobs that require a college degree, jobs that require a trade school degree, jobs that make a lot more than minimum wage, etc typically involve 1 person being chosen for the job out of 10-30 people interviewed for the job, and even if you meet the general criteria for the job, even if you have a lot of relevant experience, and even if you make a great impression during the interview, there's still a strong chance you won't be the one chosen for the job out of the 10-30 people interviewed for the job. The secret to landing Accounting jobs, Engineering jobs, Finance jobs, Communications jobs, jobs that require a college degree, jobs that require a trade school degree, etc are having the relevant education qualifications, getting relevant internship experience, getting relevant volunteer experience, asking someone you know if they'll hire you for the job, asking someone you know if they can write a recommendation letter for you for a certain job, asking someone you know if they write a recommendation letter to the boss for hiring you, networking, etc. People with Autism can get reasonable accommodations at jobs. Reasonable accommodations are adjustments that help an autistic employee be successful at meeting the essential job performance standards expected of them. Autistic people are capable of a lot. Autistic people are capable of performing well at a lot of different kinds of jobs that make a lot more than minimum wage. Autistic people are capable of performing well at a lot of jobs that require a college degree, a trade school degree, etc. A lot of autistic people struggle with finding jobs due to misunderstandings during interviews. A lot of autistic people struggle with keeping jobs due to bosses misunderstanding their autistic traits. Autism does affect people differently, and no 2 autistic people are exactly alike. I think great employment options for autistic people are self employment, jobs that utilize their strengths, jobs with understanding and accommodating bosses, jobs with understanding and accommodating coworkers, etc. Autism Employment Agencies, Disability Employment Agencies, etc are helpful resources for helping autistic people find and keep jobs.

[@sagelady2015]

You are amazing at public speaking! I would say even more so than many not on the spectrum! Many people are having a hard time finding jobs in the pandemic with degrees. The time is to open your own business and make sure you live in a state with an open economy.

[@noblestsavage1742]

I have a degree but have always worked minimum wage jobs. A lot of it is that bosses don’t like being questioned and don’t trust you to interact with the public. I’m now training to be a nurse and am these problems again……… even though they know it’s autism!!! To be honest if I was on your side of the pond I’d build a cabin in the wilderness!!

[@lightening791]

Im training to be a nurse too. Its so difficult

[@noblestsavage1742]

@@lightening791 yeah it’s not easy. I’m in my final year now so not too long to go.

[@NyoronKitty]

Also trained to be a nurse, got through my studies without problems, but was terminated from work practice within a week, was given a second chance at a different place, but was told I would be failing there as well and ultimately I had spent a year of study just to fail the entire course in practical studies. I wish you the best of luck and hope you get more understanding mentors than I.

[@JMcDonald2001]

I also have autism ever since I was little I've been diagnosed with Autism it's hard to have especially when I have shortage of friends , hard to find jobs with my community, and lots of self doubt from everyone I feel so alone and scared that I won't ever make it in the world cause people can't understand what it is like to have a disability

[@danielmiyahara9089]

I'm facing big stress at work because I'm being threatened my job can be lost if I can't "keep up with others" and they're now denying me to take any more days off for mental health and meltdowns and I can't go home early anymore if I'm having a meltdown at work, I'm scolded for it.. Told I have to "think of the company and my fellow associates".. Management says my " accommodations can be seen as favourtism".. I took a week vacation in December and they hold that against me for "the help they did for me, and can't keep doing" though I used my hours saved.. I cry as I work from being overwhelmed.. I can't even find another job nor do I really want to leave because I really can't take change and am afraid other jobs may discriminate worse.. I work far and I try my hardest but it isn't good enough.. I'm facing extreme depression and suicidal thoughts but I have to ignore my own health now and am homeless.. It feels like I'm going through everything alone..

[@fhhuuuwuu]

I'm not sure if you're still struggling with this but I went through something similar at my last job. I was able to get a doctor's note that said I could only work a certain number of days for a while to give me time to help my brain calm down and reset. I'm not sure if that's an option for you but I hope it is. I'm sorry you're going through that at work :(

[@desertdarlene]

I think it's bad that a good-sized group of able-bodied and capable people cannot get or keep a job because they are a bit different with social communication. I mean, most autistic people are capable of working without a whole lot of accommodation. Employers have always hired based on how well you fit into their company. They don't just discriminate against autistic people, but a whole slew of other things. I've been discriminated against several times because I was not Spanish speaking because everyone else at that company was a Spanish speaker (even if the job didn't require me to speak Spanish).

[@cometasporelcielo]

there's a difference between "a bit different with communication" and "behaving inappropriately in a way that damages relationships." my husband and both of my parents are on the spectrum. My husband has made an effort to find out how his radical honesty and inflexibility can be insulting to others. he's worked to recognize how his actions affect other people and in return asks us to be accommodating. asa result he's well employed (and at a very famous place! I'm so proud of him.) my mom decided that being right was more important, and as a result cannot work.

[@arcadealchemist]

workplace is built on obedience and not morals they don't want questions or ethical opposition which high functioning autism is prone to do. i hate the term autsitic, because all it means is un-programmable though academics means.

[@plj103]

True. Not to mention the layered politics, combined with the subtleties of “insider” maneuvering and exchanges. People can be frivolous, divisive, wasteful, duplicitous, selfish, and transform abruptly into a mob in need of a scapegoat. Work environments can be very difficult for a thoughtful, trusting, sensitive, and more ordered sort of person.

[@arcadealchemist]

@Ti Klim predictable

[@mrstiberius3674]

Arcade Alchemist: oh my goodness, you put it into WORDS!!! I find that the older I get (47) the harder it is to “fit in”

[@shadowfox933]

I really don't see the difference between "having autism" and "being autistic." Realistically, they mean the same thing: we don't conform to social rules naturally. Not that it makes any difference how you choose to identify yourself, I just didn't understand what you meant

[@arcadealchemist]

@@shadowfox933 well that's the shade of half truths Term being is "Self" you are being human hence human Being, this is your role at the moment and you can change it. HAVING is when someone else things you are this way instead, so a psychologist Diagnosis you as HAVING autism. this also is harder to drop as a label like being told you HAVE cancer, if you have low will power you can't really argue with them about their interpretation of something YOU are BEING. The conflict alone causes disease and death. so be careful with words my friend. words are powerful VERY powerful.

[@celiafrostborn]

I've held down a job at the home depot for two and a half years but im not sure how much longer I can take it, I have to put my brain and body in overdrive every day and it is starting to get harder and harder to keep it together. Sooner or later I will snap at the wrong time and wrong place and then I'm SOL probably. Masking only works as long as the mask doesn't get cracked after all. I come home with no energy to do anything I used to enjoy and flop onto bed only to repeat it over and over. Chances of me living a so called "Normal life" are not looking so hot especially as I only grow older and it gets even harder to control. (I am 26 by the way, figured that is an important detail...)

[@shadowfox933]

I felt the same way working at Walmart previously. I'd spend all my energy dealing with the people there (coworkers and customers), and I'd come home, eat, then go to bed and sleep for 9-10 hours. All for $12/hr. I left after about 4 months because they wouldn't fix my schedule. I would have two opening shifts (4am-12pm), two evening shifts (2pm-10pm), and one wherever they needed someone to fill in. I eventually got to the point where I didn't have a sleep schedule, and I couldn't go to sleep until I was too exhausted to even stand. On several occasions, I slept wherever I sat down (couch, kitchen table, etc.)

[@MorganJ]

This NEEDS to be talked about. Thank you for helping to raise awareness. We need more resources to help us autistic folks gain meaningful employment. There's also the issue that we may not know we need to ask for accomodations/realize we'll need one until it's too late/a problem has already arisen. We need to destigmatize asking for reasonable accomodations, such as having accessibility tools to help with sensory issues, stim toys, or being able to take a break whenever needed for sensory overload.

[@ranelgallardo7031]

Also there needs to be an increase in education among ASD individuals too. So many people with autism drop out of high school and almost all drop out of college.

[@MorganJ]

@@ranelgallardo7031 The fault isn't in autistic individuals, it's a systemic issue with the schools themselves. I have an associate's degree, but my college was one that was at least semi-good at dealing with folks with disabilities. They had modular options for math courses, so that people who struggled with them could spend longer on the same section if needed. The college was good about having tutoring available for basic subjects without extra costs. The college itself seemed to be good at recognizing where students were falling through the cracks academically, and trying to provide some resources to help keep that from happening as often as it otherwise might. My experience with public schools in the USA is absolutely abhorrent, and honestly very painful to talk about. I'm a survivor of seclusion rooms. Disabled people have rights on paper, but in practice they're rarely enforced.

[@ranelgallardo7031]

@@MorganJ Oh wow. I’m just lucky to have a Bachelors degree. Almost everyone I meet on the spectrum doesn’t have one. I feel like an anomaly. I hardly had some help in college.

[@MorganJ]

@@ranelgallardo7031 Congratulations on your Bachelor's! I heard someone bring this up in another video (it may've been Dana Anderson?) - a lot of us autistic folks need more breaks and time to recover than neurotypical folks. Having to "mask" in an educational setting over long periods of time can be utterly exhausting, and some folks get burnt out from it.

[@ranelgallardo7031]

@@MorganJ I got mine 9 years ago but yeah it’s nice to have.

[@Maaracha]

I'm autistic and D.D. I've been under employed and on the streets since I was 18. Over 20 years

[@catguy4996]

I'm just so sorry to hear that

[@user-zr4ci7oc9t]

For me, the reason I find employment difficult started in my childhood. I missed out on a lot of education as a young child because of being overwhelmed, faking sick a lot to go home early. Then, as a teenager my attendance rate sat at about 60% until I left and never continued it. I cared and wanted to have an education but it’s very difficult for me to go outside, not because of anxiety, but because I get overwhelmed. This is not specific to autism but I suspect will be to a lot of people, my parents were extremely neglectful and never taught me basic life skills like how to brush my teeth, wash my hair, drive a car. I grew up with a lot of abuse in many forms which was developmentally stunting as well. I’m 22 years old and I’ve gotten through life with everything that I have, it’s taken everything from me. There’s not a day that’s gone past since I was 7 that I haven’t wondered if this is worth it. It’s sad how many people seem to downplay our issues or see us as “lazy”. I’ve never been able to hold down a job for even 10 hours a week and I don’t have friends and family support, I think it’s hard for people to fathom that there are people who can seem normal but struggle to live. I’ve heard many people in prison are autistic and homeless too, this world was not made for us :(

[@T3meee]

Self-employment seems to be the only way to go.

[@jmfs3497]

I'm so out of touch with office related politics, but well above competent in the duties as assigned. I am confused about hierarchies. It seems silly. Due to my directness and above normal proficiency, I am perceived and treated as a disobedient threat of some kind, I think. There always seems to be a double standard in the office on flexibility for everyone but me. I feel like they WANT me to walk on eggshells for some reason that is invisible to me. It sucks. I just want to be the most amazing person I can be and be respected as a peer.

[@azorahigh3218]

I was laid off from a job 6 months after I received a plaque for employee of the year, due to coworkers resentment, people will do damn near anything to keep their useless , mediocre jobs, including lashing out on anyone who is a threat, real or imaginary

[@Ancient_Hoplite]

I love how she went full Aragorn on them at the end. Epic

[@Xandrellv2]

At the end of return of the king?

[@Jikkuryuu]

The eternal struggle to get business-minded individuals to stop applying that mindset and language to situations where they are a hindrance. (Which is _nearly_ every situation.) -Interviews? You're hiring a person, not a corporation. (Also a *person,* not a _tool,_ but that's actually a different discussion) -Science? Doesn't have a "final product" or predictable milestones. -Culture? Actually less of a problem, since business is also a culture. Could stand to bring a translator or at least a glossary though. -Education/Training? Foundational, enables adaptation and growth. Not an accessory/jewellry/crutch.

[@suzanneplumley4330]

Yes!! This is my mission as well- I just hope that as soon as this comes to be accepted and thus changed, my age will not block me for employment with belief of desired retirement. How can an Autistic individual retire when they have not earned a financial stability to begin with? That is my struggle as a 55 year old late diagnosed Aspie woman who depends on family for financial assistance. I have a college degree and earned Teacher Certifications for 2 states but never received my own classroom as the fears and distrust of school principals were stacked against me. Now I work two jobs in retail and can not afford my own roof over my head. Where is the justice or level playing field?

[@taylorbee4010]

We do really really well in pattern-based jobs. Even if it ultimately drives us crazy if we can get a pattern or system down.. we can work

[@Dancestar1981]

We need to follow our passion and dreams and the money will follow. I’ve wanted to be an actress for nearly 40 years and my life experience has given me all the formal training I need.

[@DontAssume123]

I worked in a place where rules changed I was let go lol

[@frog6054]

​@@Dancestar1981 I don't have passion and dream

[@andreagriffiths3512]

I fell into swim teaching after being fired from a job I’d held for nearly 7 years. It’s a worthwhile job and I love it but I can’t work long hours, I can’t really do more shifts than I already am. I daren’t get sick because then I have to find my own replacement which stresses me out so bad, and covering for others is likewise hard because it’s a massive trigger for a meltdown. But this is the only job where I’ve been accepted and even had my experience sought out for those with ASD kids in their classes. Just a pity it’s not enough for me to be able to live on.

[@larycarl7500]

How do we work as autistics? I don't want to be jobless.

[@shaunrutherford7764]

I'm pretty sure I have ASD (with PDA) but I've never gotten diagnosed because I don't want to be forced to disclose it. Luckily I have been able to hold down a full-time job for a few years while going to graduate school, but I can tell it's really taking a toll on me.

[@davidspencer1558]

What a wonderful advocate for ASD. Thank you

[@renegadeace1735]

I'm super adhd, I'm a front-end web developer. Took a few years to figure out what I liked but I think coding is a great for when you have to trouble focusing cause you can work at your own pace.

[@cometasporelcielo]

my ASD husband is a developer! it's a great fit. I'm super ADHD and do software design. I hate it because i can't focus

[@renegadeace1735]

@@cometasporelcielo then you prob don't like it and should do something else

[@CaptainChubbyDuck]

I cant get a job even if I dont tell/if employers dont know I have aspergers. Its crazy. I think it party depends on me being uncertain of my knowledge since Ive studied quite complicated programming / game dev content. I didnt get any help during my studies, which I might have needed. I get interviews etc but everyone gets back with "we need someone with more experience" all the time, Im tired of hearing it, like you cant become a senior if someone doesnt give you a chance. How are there even seniors ina society like this? Anyone else feel the same, struggling getting a job even if you didnt tell you have aspergers? If social norms and not experience is what gets you a job, am I doomed? I have much much experience, even if its only from university.

[@TsuuuNami]

Had a virtual job interview with Consumer Cellular and the feedback from the recruiter told me the upper management did not like the way I spoke, despite the efforts of using "typical" or "normal" speech. Recruiter had faith at least.

[@alanking4980]

Been working in construction all my life and jumping from job to job which is quite normal. Went into management, cos it’s all I know and worked agency short term contracts but could never get taken on by companies. Three years ago I took on a project which was somewhat unique ( only two exist in the country) and completed it on time and to original budget (unheard of here). Anyway, could not fit in socially with the company and was not offered another project with them. I ended up leaving the company in silence, literally. No one said a word to me. Contract ended and I went home. Proper walk of shame It’s just something that your going to have to deal with I’m afraid. But yes, it’s social discrimination and nothing else!

[@HLB512]

It doesn't always come down to autism. Right now the job market is bad for everyone. People get ghosted and there are fake jobs on job boards.

[@emberhermin52]

I wish I had known how likely autistic people are to be underemployed before I was pressured into trying college

[@raven4090]

I'm glad I didn't bother now. But I did believe it when they told me it would be easier to get a good paying job if I graduated from high school. I'm 59, and I've never had a good paying job even though I could have done many of the things I applied for very well with the skills I have.

[@TannarThompson]

To call me autistic I think would be a bit of stretch. But I totally relate to not fitting it and how exhausting it is to "fit in" constantly feeling like an alien trying to fake bring normal. Not surprising that the obvious solution is to treat people like people. No one's the same, everyone has personal reasons that make the unique for better and worse. It should be considered by others in all situations

[@frazzlette2243]

Our society is not set up to help people with ASD achieve their goals. They can't get a job because they don't fit in. In my opinion, our society is more dysfunctional than the thousands of applicants with ASD that get snubbed in favor of just about any neurotypical. Only a dysfunctional society values judging a book by it's cover. Employers give jobs to the people who crack the best jokes and end interviews quickly if there isn't enough eye contact. Eye contact and small talk are important for some jobs, but this practice is commonplace with all types of jobs. Hiring practices regularly favor neurotypical people, leaving applicants with ASD to take the lowest paying jobs, if they can get hired at all. Then employers wonder why they can't keep people employed. Could it be the person they hired is just so good at BS, they can use it as a tool to find a better position elsewhere? Do they realize they are passing up a people who would love to have that job opportunity? Do they realize they are training people who "fit in" over and over just so they can feel warm and fuzzy? How many of those positions could be filled with talented people like Claire Barnett? How many people with ASD would be so proud to have the job that the entitled neurotypical employee takes for granted? Our society then punishes people on the spectrum with low-wage jobs or no jobs at all. They must try twice as hard only to accept failure. If they lose too many opportunities, they could wind up on the streets. They can't qualify for government benefits either, because they have the "ability" to work. We've just been conditioned by a dysfunctional society not to give them a chance.

[@DINMmusic]

Way to go Claire!!!

[@beaus3911]

There is actually a jobsite called Mentra that helps Neurodivergents find jobs in the workplace

[@ranelgallardo7031]

This makes it so hard when you learn that autism is not protected by the ADA when it comes to job protection. Companies lobby for that so hard.

[@cometasporelcielo]

really? do they? i think they have things like profits in mind. i've legit NEVER encountered anyone lobbying for autistic discrimination. even with my parents and husband being ASD, what kills me about a certain part of the ASD community is the rush to blame your situation on everyone else. my mom does that; she's barely employed. My husband recognizes that he's got a world he has to (uncomfortably) fit in, and the 180k salary and job at a famous company is worth it

[@ranelgallardo7031]

@@cometasporelcielo Most employers do not want to hire someone with an ASD. So they lobby the govt to omit autism from disability protections. Sadly it’s worked. You can’t fire someone cause they’re deaf, blind, or with Downs. However you can with autism.

[@andyvan5692]

great talk, but you also forgot the time management issue, aka knowing how to prioritise tasks given to you, and the ever present sensitivity issue, not just to things (touch, sound), but to how much we have to do, eg: like an asd facing a MacDonalds menu screen ; what to choose, does anything have sensory issues attached, aka seeds/flour on a bun, getting sauce on ones fingers while eating; all of this goes to anxiety, indecision, as too much info is just as bad as not enough. Workplaces, and their jobs are designed by neurotypicals for themselves, no flexibility in hours, workload, moral support, training and so on, THIS is where the change comes, not just in awareness, but in designing jobs from the start FOR us.

[@Christ_Is_Life10-10]

Working it’s a stigmatizing vocational program for “disabled” people is pretty much the only way to get hired which requires full disclosure and you become the poster child for “autism” or whatever disability you have. Not that you need the extra stress ?

[@darlalathan6143]

No wonder I couldn't get or keep a job after college!

[@KeeganAWhite]

My firsthand experience as an autistic induvial I have seen that my ability to approach situations in a completely different manner than others has made me an indispensable part of every company I have worked with. But I am completely incapable of portraying my abilities during the interview process.

[@martinkaczynski8526]

Then you need to say to the job interviewer exactly what you told us and try to give examples of your ability to approach situations in a completely different manner.

[@cometasporelcielo]

go you!!

[@manuela1711]

Im 29 and autistic. I finished two studies, been bullied by students and teachers. Was sent away from my last internship without reason given. i finished with an internship at my school. If i do interviews people look weirdly at my cv cause it has a gap due to that internship. And they all ask why, they didnt even give ma a why, so i should i know. I have been on more that 40 interviews. Even made it to a second one. But eventually they all dont want me, my strong points are the points they dont wanna hear. Because everyone states those to look better. Im now 4 years on benefits, deemed 100% unfit to work. I really wonder why i spent all the times at school..

[@martinkaczynski8526]

I'm in my fifties and I now can see going to school got me bullied and racially attacked. - I also ended up with terrible mental health and suspect I have Complex P.T.S.D. - On top of this I have been unemployed for many years. - Going to school did NOT pay.

[@martinkaczynski8526]

I'm in my fifties and I now can see going to school got me bullied and racially attacked. - I also ended up with terrible mental health and suspect I have Complex P.T.S.D. - On top of this I have been unemployed for many years. - Going to school did NOT pay.

[@DryadsBounty]

Fascinating! I agree with and experience this as my life! Overqualified and underemployed

[@allieeverett9017]

Absolutely amazing information and public speaking skills. Thank you for sharing your talent with the world!

[@zdvsjf8038]

Thanks for a good talk. I liked the circular spectrum model.

[@joshbarklage6176]

As much as the rest of society considers us as social outcasts, being autistic has been somewhat beneficial to me. Because I've never fit into any groups, I'm able to have more of a 3rd person perspective on a wide variety of things that many NTs may not have, as I'm not as emotionally invested. I see most things in life as pieces of a large puzzle, everything has patterns that can be figured out and pieced together with enough time and effort. I view life as a learning experience, I don't take too much in life that seriously, as most problems in life are man-made.

[@nicholashousmans97]

I have Aspergers and the longest period that I was employed full time was from November 23, 2017 until February 25, 2020.

[@neredan1182]

i never got the chance in anything desite applying and trying constantly. because i was not accepted anywhere i just continued education, because there you just register, so its a safe spot. now im in the last realitically possible step and completing a masters degree. and meanwhile still applying, also because graduation is close. and still nothing. and in my country we dont have disability welfare. we have a social welfare sytem but that treats me like a person that purposefully tries to sabotage getting a job and eventually forces me into radical underemployment (by that i mean literal monkey jobs like folding packages).

[@stonedout4207]

I have AS and it sucks it’s impossible for me to get a job

[@karley610]

Wow what an amazing speech. Thank you for this

[@thevintagepoet]

You need a nice understanding employer. I've had some bullys as bosses

[@supaipaii]

I lost 15 jobs before I knew I was Autistic and now on Disability

[@rollingdudes8859]

ME TOO!!!

[@StephenStumbke-p8y]

Haven't had one since 2022 and that was seasonal work, I so so want one

[@JohnSmith-pl4sf]

So going to speech therapy was a waste of time

[@kilandrayeuxdoux2804]

Not all people with autism requires speech therapy. I didn't and I have autism. No such thing as a general diagnosis for autism spectrum disorders. No one is the same. Also, I think all current interview systems need to have the narrative changed so all people have a chance at jobs.

[@jellewils3974]

Thank you, this message needs to be heard. However, you can't spread awareness if we can't hear you. I'm on the spectrum myself so therefore i had a special interest to strain my ears and use captions. Most neurotypical employers that are just interested (a.k.a. your preferred audience) however, will not want to schedule listening to an inaudible video that doesn't directly concern their business at the moment. Frankly, I can't blame them. Maybe remastering the audio might help?

[@dankthinkeralex5653]

are you still interested? I could make it real loud and send you the file.

[@jellewils3974]

@@dankthinkeralex5653 Thanks for the gesture. However I can hear just enough and have direct experience with what she's talking about, to get the picture. My comment therefore was mostly about hard to hear audio not being sufficient to get the message across to employers. Could you maybe repost it on KZbin or something? That would do the trick. Don't know if that's legally possible though considering possible KZbin regulations.

[@Nintendofanboy101-yk8ro]

why does it matter? I think what we need to do as people is just focus on your own self or your own kid. Why should there be such competition to get your kid to be "normal"? Some autistic people are 24/7 care. They don't have it in them to even take care of themselves.

[@PraveenSrJ01]

I’m part of the 127.63 million people with autism

[@HANSMKAMP]

I am inctellectually a threat, possibly. My boss diagnosed me with a learning disorder and manipulated the assurance doctor that should diagnose me with it, or say that I am not intellectually disabled. I am likely smarter than my boss and some very important colleagues. I want to know why the doctor listens to my boss but never talked to me. I want to hear him out: I want to know what happened. I am thinking about suing my boss because of discrimination (excluding from learning tasks), corruption (for the boss the money is important, it doesn't care a thing to him how he gets it), gaslighting (blaming me for things that goes wrong, using different standards to me than to other colleagues), micromanagement (saying that I shouldn't forget things), being a liar and fraud. For example about gaslighting or using different standards. Let's assume the following situation. Three colleagues ask me questions. I must remember all three of them. If I can't I would have a memory problem. Thee colleagues ask questions to my boss. My boss tells them: "Please e-mail me; I will look into it later." Does she have a memory problem? I think she doesn't. This means: if someone can't remember three things from three colleagues in a very short time: - there is a memory problme if the person that has been asked, is autistic; - there is nothing wrong if the very person is not autistic.

[@cometasporelcielo]

my ASD mom comes across as intellectually disabled. She has a high IQ but cannot learn basic social cues. A closed door? Yeah, that means 'don't barge in.' They can call it whatever they want, but in any job if you don't conform and do what the boss wants, wheether you are NT or Aspie, you will get fired. Find a new job and save yourself the money of a useless lawsuit.

[@nunka34ify]

I’m on the spectrum but luckily I’m huge and muscular. I have to use fear or else people will pick on me. It surprisingly works

[@joewhite8079]

I find this interesting as I just aced a job interview got my first job at 16 I still feel like I don't fit in people almost avoid me I have 4 good freinds which we catch up maybe monthly but I have had no issue getting a job I'm on the spectrum it effects everyone differently I also enjoy martial arts and other social activities to try to improve my socialisation and learn a skill.

[@timharris2497]

This is a really important topic and I hope the audio guy or gal got fired

[@andreadevonport3139]

Not being able to socialise makes most employment an ordeal in every way Being unable to cope with the stress of spiteful and unpleasant colleagues makes me Angry and I don't handle anger well I am terrified I will seriously hurt someone if pushed to stress overload .But mostly it's myself I hurt.

[@kuibeiguahua]

Thank goodness I have a niche and an interest that brings me money... but I am also underemployed, I have this beautiful service but I am afraid of reaching out and selling my services... I know I do a wonderful job, I just... freeze. :( I'll learn how to do better I'm sure...

[@helenhenninger835]

"Not a good fit" = abelism

[@cometasporelcielo]

sometimes it's genuinely not. in the words of my ASD best friend, 'some of us are just assholes."

[@motoboy6666]

Why even try … thats the general feeling … sad but true

[@MrAdriancooke]

It's hard to hear this clearly: is there a transcript anywhere?