lavender-sprinkles:

Getting a job is hard as an autistic. There is so many factors that make it difficult. The application, the interview, the social requirements, sensory issues, and training for and learning the job process. Sometimes when you are just starting working it can be very overwhelming. Or maybe you have been working for awhile, but aren’t able to keep down a job for one reason or another.

Today, I thought I would make a list of jobs that I believe may be easier and lower stress for us to do. These are not considered “careers” and not all of these can help you pay all your bills, but if you need some money or experience for a resume these jobs can be a good place to start.

Jobs I Recommend for Autistics:

• Local Places. Smaller shops in your area that aren’t part of a chain can be a more casual environment. Also these place can have managers with more control over the rules and they may be more casual and accommodating. They don’t always hire as often, but it can be worth looking into!
  
• Niche Shops. Some examples of these kinds of places are comic book and music stores. Since these have specific clientele which means smaller clientele, it may be easier to handle.
  
• Behind-the-Scenes Jobs. Shipping, packing, stocking, repricing, and fulfillment all have low interaction with other people and they have a lot of repetitive work that doesn’t change much.
  
• Animal Shelters and Pet Stores. Many autistics love animals so trying to work at a place with them may be a good option. Be prepared for a lot of barking and other animal noises though!
  
• Temp Agency. Work at a temp agency is very varied and you could get jobs that are hard, but the good thing about it is is that it is all short term work and you are allowed to choose assignments. You could possibly work a few jobs and then take a break of days in-between to gather up energy
  
• Data Entry and Casual Office Work. These kinds of jobs require you to be good at typing, be able to organize efficiently, and do research. There is some interaction with people, but the pressure is mainly about meeting deadlines.
  

These are some options to look into, but not all of them will be possible to get hired at or will meet your monetary needs. Also there may be some factors like sensory sensitivities and not enough structure that changes from work place to work place that will make some of these options good for some people in certain areas, but not others. So, to that fact…

Jobs I Do Not Recommend for Autistics:

• Fast-paced Food Service. Some food service places may be reasonable enough for autistics to manage, but the majority of them I do not recommend because even if you can handle the food, the people you interact with can be completely intolerable. But this can change if, for example, you have a special interest in cooking.
  
• Big Box Chain Stores. Big chains are notorious for having lots of rules and very little training. They also can have many overwhelming goals and long hours. Interacting with lots of people is very normal. You may be able to handle all the work they throw at you, but holiday seasons are torture and you will lose so many spoons. Save yourself the pain, and try to avoid grocery and department stores.
  

Working is really hard, many of us autistics can handle all the duties and requirements, but it takes a toll on our energy, our bodies, and our minds.

Not every place will accommodate us and sometimes we can get in trouble or singled out for being “weird”. This can be very disheartening, but please don’t give up! It is not wrong to quit a job that is being harmful for you, but being able to earn your own money is very freeing and sometimes even vital to avoid many serious outcomes. Even if you might have to work at a place that is hard and painful right now, you can keep trying to find the right place for your capabilities. There is thousands of jobs out there needing workers and a good amount of them can be perfect for many autistics.

But if you cannot work for one reason or another, I just want you to know that you are not a burden, you are not a bad person, and you are still very important and valid.

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Ok to Reblog!

Day 16 of Autism Acceptance Month 2018

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