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• >> Life on the Autism spectrum >> Autism and employment >> Autism and employment

The autism spectrum incorporates a broad range of ability and many people on the spectrum are very successful at work. Other people may have difficulties at work and some people may remain unemployed. The people we talked with reflected these variations and we here discuss their experiences of work.

 

Some people had successful careers. Various factors had contributed to this success, including advanced abilities in subjects such as science or art, having the right kind of support such as parents nearby, or a boss who understood their needs. A focus and attention to detail had helped some in their working lives.

• Autism >> Life on the Autism spectrum >> Autism and employment >> Autism and employment

The autism spectrum incorporates a broad range of ability and many people on the spectrum are very successful at work. Other people may have difficulties at work and some people may remain unemployed. The people we talked with reflected these variations and we here discuss their experiences of work.

 

Some people had successful careers. Various factors had contributed to this success, including advanced abilities in subjects such as science or art, having the right kind of support such as parents nearby, or a boss who understood their needs. A focus and attention to detail had helped some in their working lives.

• >> Life on the Autism spectrum >> Employment and day services >> Employment and day services

Employment and day services

• Autism >> Life on the Autism spectrum >> Employment and day services >> Employment and day services

Employment and day services

• >> Life on the Autism spectrum >> Difficulties with employment >> Difficulties with employment

Difficulties with employment

• Autism >> Life on the Autism spectrum >> Difficulties with employment >> Difficulties with employment

Difficulties with employment

• Clip
• Autism >> Life on the Autism spectrum >> Men not in employment/education >> Peter and Myrtle - Interview 03 >> Peter, a retired scientist, talks about how he expected 100% work from his staff.

Despite some difficult times, Myrtle describes being incredibly fond of her husband and, when she was in ill health for a number of years, Peter looked after her like ‘an angel’. Peter was diagnosed with Asperger syndrome when he was 80. He is having counseling which is helping him to become more aware of the extremes of his behaviour and to control his temper.

• Autism >> Life on the Autism spectrum >> Men not in employment/education >> Daniel - Interview 24 >> Daniel explains why he has never worked.

Daniel was diagnosed with Asperger syndrome when he was 23. Daniel also has OCD and worries a lot about offending people.

• Autism >> Life on the Autism spectrum >> Men in employment/education >> Richard and Sue - Interview 10 >> Richard highlights how “an obsessive interest in detail” can be put to good use in the workplace.

Richard was diagnosed with Asperger syndrome seven years ago after being referred to a specialist diagnostic centre. He is working hard to change aspects of his behaviour for his wife and family.

• Autism >> Life on the Autism spectrum >> Men in employment/education >> Richard and Sue - Interview 10 >> Richard and Sue discuss how there are no support groups near them and how support should be directed to youngsters who need more help “to find their p

Richard was diagnosed with Asperger syndrome seven years ago after being referred to a specialist diagnostic centre. He is working hard to change aspects of his behaviour for his wife and family.

• Autism >> Life on the Autism spectrum >> Women not in paid employment/education >> Debbie - Interview 19 >> Debbie and her mother had looked into whether she might be on the autism spectrum when she was in her mid thirties.

Debbie was diagnosed with Asperger syndrome when she was 35 years old after experiencing bullying in the workplace. She now does voluntary work and looks after the home for her father.

• Autism >> Life on the Autism spectrum >> Women not in paid employment/education >> Debbie - Interview 19 >> Debbie now does voluntary work because she can’t cope with pressure, stress or bullying.

Debbie was diagnosed with Asperger syndrome when she was 35 years old after experiencing bullying in the workplace. She now does voluntary work and looks after the home for her father.

• Autism >> Life on the Autism spectrum >> Women not in paid employment/education >> Debbie - Interview 19 >> Debbie talks about her experiences of further education and the different courses she did.

Debbie was diagnosed with Asperger syndrome when she was 35 years old after experiencing bullying in the workplace. She now does voluntary work and looks after the home for her father.

• Autism >> Life on the Autism spectrum >> Men in employment/education >> Stephen - Interview 32 >> Stephen, an artist, talks about his work.

Stephen was diagnosed with autism at the age of five. He has drawn and painted since childhood and has exhibited his work internationally.

• Autism >> Life on the Autism spectrum >> Men in employment/education >> Steve - Interview 37 >> Steven describes how people with Asperger syndrome can focus on tasks a lot more than most people but the task has got to be something they want to do

Steve and his son have been diagnosed with Asperger syndrome. Steve is studying for a degree in autism using distance learning and has heightened sensory sensitivities and some OCD traits.

• Autism >> Life on the Autism spectrum >> Women not in paid employment/education >> Vicky - Interview 38 >> Vicky has found that employers don’t really understand that people on the spectrum need support and help in the workplace.

Vicky was diagnosed with Asperger syndrome when she was 33. She lives independently and has a good social life and supportive family but has found it difficult to get employment.

• Autism >> Life on the Autism spectrum >> Women in employment/education: >> Harriet - Interview 42 >> Harriet won’t do “social mixing” unless she is forced and avoids situations with more than three adults.

Harriet was diagnosed with high functioning autism when she was 39 years old. She has aspects of her life which she finds difficult like changes in routine, sensory sensitivities and a dislike of social interaction.

• Autism >> Life on the Autism spectrum >> Women in employment/education: >> Harriet - Interview 42 >> Harriet describes the rules and routines she needs are like a narrow straight line she walks along and she has to concentrate not to fall off.

Harriet was diagnosed with high functioning autism when she was 39 years old. She has aspects of her life which she finds difficult like changes in routine, sensory sensitivities and a dislike of social interaction.

• Autism >> Life on the Autism spectrum >> Women in employment/education: >> Harriet - Interview 42 >> Harriet enjoys her work as a classroom assistant and the children accept her for who she is.

Harriet was diagnosed with high functioning autism when she was 39 years old. She has aspects of her life which she finds difficult like changes in routine, sensory sensitivities and a dislike of social interaction.

• Autism >> Life on the Autism spectrum >> Women not in paid employment/education >> Neil and Catherine - Interview 55 >> Catherine describes the difficulties she has had in work.

Catherine, 27, was diagnosed with Asperger syndrome when she was 23. She works part time as a volunteer gardener.

• Autism >> Life on the Autism spectrum >> Men in employment/education >> Peter - Interview 50 >> Peter has found a support organisation helpful in finding employment.

Peter, aged 33, was diagnosed with Asperger syndrome three years ago. He is seeing a psychologist regularly which helps him with depression and he is finding life is getting easier over time.

• Autism >> Life on the Autism spectrum >> Men in employment/education >> Peter - Interview 50 >> Peter describes how he can work through his problems one by one now and is able to ask for help at work without feeling stupid.

Peter, aged 33, was diagnosed with Asperger syndrome three years ago. He is seeing a psychologist regularly which helps him with depression and he is finding life is getting easier over time.

• Autism >> Life on the Autism spectrum >> Men not in employment/education >> John - Interview 52 >> John has always had great difficulty assessing ”good and bad faith in other people” which has affected his working life.

John, 65, was diagnosed with Asperger syndrome when he was 62. He had a series of jobs and started some university courses over the years but is now unemployed and fills up his days ‘by wasting time’.

• Autism >> Life on the Autism spectrum >> Men not in employment/education >> John - Interview 52 >> John says there is nothing constructive or structured about his life; he is just filling in time.

John, 65, was diagnosed with Asperger syndrome when he was 62. He had a series of jobs and started some university courses over the years but is now unemployed and fills up his days ‘by wasting time’.

• Autism >> Life on the Autism spectrum >> Men not in employment/education >> John - Interview 52 >> John describes himself as competent, efficient with a good eye for detail, but he can’t “multi task” and jump from one task to another.

John, 65, was diagnosed with Asperger syndrome when he was 62. He had a series of jobs and started some university courses over the years but is now unemployed and fills up his days ‘by wasting time’.

• Autism >> Life on the Autism spectrum >> Men not in employment/education >> John - Interview 52 >> John became depressed when he stopped working and felt that everything was pointless.

John, 65, was diagnosed with Asperger syndrome when he was 62. He had a series of jobs and started some university courses over the years but is now unemployed and fills up his days ‘by wasting time’.

• Autism >> Life on the Autism spectrum >> Men not in employment/education >> Daniel and Margaret - Interview 54 >> Daniel does voluntary work for a charity one day a week and enjoys it.

Daniel was diagnosed with Asperger syndrome when he was 11 years old. He does voluntary work one day a week and Margaret runs a support group for people with Asperger syndrome.

• Autism >> Life on the Autism spectrum >> Women not in paid employment/education >> Neil and Catherine - Interview 55 >> Catherine could not bear to speak in front of other people and describes the fear she experiences if she goes into a situation with lots of people.

Catherine, 27, was diagnosed with Asperger syndrome when she was 23. She works part time as a volunteer gardener.

• Autism >> Life on the Autism spectrum >> Women not in paid employment/education >> Neil and Catherine - Interview 55 >> Catherine describes her experiences of doing an NVQ.

Catherine, 27, was diagnosed with Asperger syndrome when she was 23. She works part time as a volunteer gardener.

• Autism >> Life on the Autism spectrum >> Women in employment/education: >> Catherine - Interview 63 >> Catherine describes her route through college to employment.

Catherine, 25, was diagnosed with Asperger syndrome when she was 19. She works part time in a dog rescue home and hopes to increase her working hours.

• Autism >> Life on the Autism spectrum >> Women not in paid employment/education >> Mary – Interview 01b >> Mary finds her OCD more debilitating than her anxiety and dislike of dealing with the public.

After researching various conditions on the internet, Mary was diagnosed with Asperger syndrome aged 21. She also has OCD and experiences anxieties.

• Autism >> Life on the Autism spectrum >> Men not in employment/education >> Jamie – Interview 02b >> Jamie worked for two years in a warehouse but is now looking for work.

Jamie was diagnosed with Asperger syndrome when he was 9 years old. He uses certain techniques which helps him gain comfort and confidence in social interactions. He’s working towards finding employment and leaving home to live independently.

• Autism >> Life on the Autism spectrum >> Men in employment/education >> Damian – Interview 03b >> Damian has always had a problem with being told what to do, especially when “it is ill thought through” and he isn’t listened to.

Damian was diagnosed with Asperger syndrome a year ago. He is well educated with a degree, Master’s degree and a PGCE, and is now studying for a PhD. Damian lives with his son, 7, who has classic autism.

• Autism >> Life on the Autism spectrum >> Men in employment/education >> Damian – Interview 03b >> Damian is constantly studying after dropping out of school and being written off by teachers. He is now doing a PhD.

Damian was diagnosed with Asperger syndrome a year ago. He is well educated with a degree, Master’s degree and a PGCE, and is now studying for a PhD. Damian lives with his son, 7, who has classic autism.

• Autism >> Life on the Autism spectrum >> Women in employment/education: >> Miranda – Interview 05b >> Miranda thinks she doesn’t come across very well to employers.

Miranda was recently diagnosed with Asperger syndrome, after three years of her being aware that she may have the condition.

• Autism >> Life on the Autism spectrum >> Men not in employment/education >> Russell – Interview 07b >> Developing an interview technique is something Russell finds difficult.

Russell was diagnosed with Asperger syndrome when he was 12 years old. His awareness of potential difficulties is increasing as he grows older and more aware. Russell describes himself as being prone to outbursts and is taking anti-depressants.

• Autism >> Life on the Autism spectrum >> Men in employment/education >> Sam – Interview 17b >> Sam feels he is “psychologically incapable” of doing a job that he isn’t obsessively interested in.

Sam was diagnosed with Asperger syndrome two years ago. He is studying for a PhD and lives by himself.

• Autism >> Life on the Autism spectrum >> Men not in employment/education >> John – Interview 08b >> John's dislike of social interaction and his obsessional focus have led to difficulties in the workplace. He is unsure about whether to disclose his a

After having a lot of contact with mental health services over the years, John was diagnosed with mild Asperger syndrome aged 45. Previous employment has proved problematic for John and he feels employers should be more aware of Asperger syndrome.

• Autism >> Life on the Autism spectrum >> Men not in employment/education >> John – Interview 08b >> John thinks that raising awareness of autism among employers would help.

After having a lot of contact with mental health services over the years, John was diagnosed with mild Asperger syndrome aged 45. Previous employment has proved problematic for John and he feels employers should be more aware of Asperger syndrome.

• Autism >> Life on the Autism spectrum >> Men in employment/education >> Sam – Interview 17b >> Sam’s obsessional thoughts are all consuming and he is unable to concentrate on anything else.

Sam was diagnosed with Asperger syndrome two years ago. He is studying for a PhD and lives by himself.

• Autism >> Life on the Autism spectrum >> Men in employment/education >> Oliver and Suzie – Interview 11b >> Oliver finds it frustrating that people with autism can fail filling in job applications when they can probably do the job. He has found face to face

Oliver was diagnosed with Asperger syndrome two years ago. His mother and younger brother had also been diagnosed with Asperger syndrome previously. Oliver describes his family as easy going and not concerned about what other people think about them.

• Autism >> Life on the Autism spectrum >> Men not in employment/education >> Simon – Interview 16b >> The Jobcentre staff had “no clue about people with autism”. Simon was told to go to a doctor to prove he had autism.

Simon, aged 22 was diagnosed with autism when he was 5 years old. He has developed his own strategies to cope during social situations. Simon is interested in animals and aims to find employment in this area. Simon does talks on autism to help people to understand.

• Autism >> Life on the Autism spectrum >> Men in employment/education >> Sam – Interview 17b >> Sam’s obsessional thoughts are all consuming and he is unable to concentrate on anything else.

Sam was diagnosed with Asperger syndrome two years ago. He is studying for a PhD and lives by himself.