Neurodiversity and Careers | Sheepdog Says
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- Опубліковано 21 лип 2024
- Work is hard for everyone, but it's tougher for Neurodiverse people and often impossible without some kind of creative hard work.
I cover a variety of bits in this vlog, my own work experiences and struggles, my current work experiences and struggles, how Oliver is different from me, and what I worry about with him, and what I think I'm doing right, but where I'm still finding it hard and what I wish I could do but can't.
This really resonated with me. I’m autistic and finished uni last year and now I’m struggling to find something to do. My anxiety would make workplaces difficult for me. My passion is writing about films but I don’t know if I’m good enough or how I make it into a career. I’m happy to keep it as a hobby but I just don’t know where to start with finding work I will be comfortable with. Sorry for dumping all this here but I just needed to get it off my chest.
No problem this is a good place to put it I encourage people to! There are writing jobs out there but the pay isn’t great early on. You may need to write about films as a hobby while you do other things but on LinkedIn there are frequently people looking for writers. I applied for one where they needed a Pokémon go writer a few weeks back. GGRecon were the company looking back then but I’m sure there are lots more out there like that.
I’ve a repeating pattern of burning out in jobs after around 18 months.
I’ve been riding that wave for the last decade, before that I spent 4 years in my late teens/early 20’s touring in bands and making music and/or attempting to gain a degree multiple times and dropping out multiple times (in retrospect probably because at the time I was unaware that I required accommodations)
I’ve never really been able to find a workplace that’s worked for me, I’m now 33 and don’t really know what direction I’m heading in professionally - I’ve just taken the attitude that as long as I can pay the bills and support my son then that’s all that really matters, but it would be nice to break the pattern and not have to try and precariously stitch my CV together in a manner so not to raise suspicion…
That was pretty much where I was before I went to uni and while there I thought teaching might be the answer so I was super broken when I burned out at that and felt like I was out of ideas. There are firms that specialise in autism friendly environments. The only one I know about specifically is SAP because Kev and I went to an event they ran. But they said there were more out there. It feels like ND people gravitate towards self employment for the control though which is something that I yearn for all the time but have no idea how to execute on really.
You’re right though that covering the bills and caring for our families is priority number one.
@@SheepdogSays I think if I hadn’t used up all my student loan years then I’d go to University now and make sure I seek the appropriate accommodations - is so weird looking back in retrospect and realising various things that were causing me to struggle were potentially because of my autism - I really struggled to stay awake in lectures and seminars, I’d have a giant coffee before hand, I’d have slept well the night before, but repeatedly I’d find myself just nodding off!
I’ve recently burned out in a role and am at a bit of a cross roads, I’m fortunate in that I’m not being rushed to make any choices and I can get by for a while, but because of my issue with the funding for uni my options are limited, I’ve been looking at PTTLS qualifications as I also used to work in a school (as learning support) but really I want whatever step I take next to be the RIGHT thing and not just the NEXT thing 🤷♂️
Is really interesting and reassuring to hear you’re experiences are kind of similar though, it’s also nice to know that there are employers/work places out there who get it…
How many years have you used? You get 4 essentially. I used 1.5 in my first attempt then was told I only had 2 left so my uni had to help me in year 1 and I then had 2 and 3 covered. Some courses also used to be immune but I don’t know if many are anymore. I totally get it, the things we think were just us being tired or lazy or unfocused were just extreme lack of awareness from everyone around us. You might be able to find grants or something to help. I’m not saying definitely but it’s worth asking isn’t it.
You know what I love about this subthread?! The fact that you both are engaging in a real written dialogue and no one is bothered by it! It's such an overlooked pleasantry. Thank you both for your authenticity!!! 🤗
You did the right thing just asking / enquiring about pay rise, absolute no harm in asking, they can only say no.
Thanks, this is it, it is still a bit nerve wracking that we've got a lot to sort out now before it happens.
@@SheepdogSays I'm sure it'll be fine. Sure it's better to give you a payrise then losing you and your experience with company. Good luck.
@@MrRibu09 thank you and fingers crossed!
Can you do some practical science lessons with Oliver and get him to write / graph things out? Or find a video of a scientist doing that kind of things, would a chalkboard/whiteboard and a lab coat get him into the persona and get him into it?
That sounds quite fun heh. Make him dress the part and follow the rules. Il think about something we can do.
For me why not do a Q&A and then answer the questions you want to like Kev does, would be fun for people to ask you things they like to know etc
I’m up for that, I did one a while back but I think there’s a lot more people now that would have questions. Will see when works etc.
@@SheepdogSays Cool and you be awesome at it as you can take time to plan it all out
Typical people can switch their thoughts off? Man that'd be useful. Overthinking and having your brain go at 1000km/h is really exhausting.
It is the worst.