How Autism Greatly Limits My Ability To Work A Job

Every autistic person is different. Those of us who are unable to work a normal job should not be judged by because your cousin Bob is autistic, and he works

Photo by Annie Spratt on Unsplash

I feel my learning differences can get in the way.

If the boss does not physically show me how the job needs to be done I will not understand it. Of if they do not make their expectations clear.

Depending on the job. When people give me feedback on YouTube, it's useless if they don't provide a guild I can refer to regarding what they are talking about. An example, if they tell me my thumbnails need work but don't provide tips on how I can improve them. Or what is weak in my thumbnails so I know I need to try something different. When someone explains something to me with no visuals, it's like they're speaking another language. An example I have to back this is when I went to the eye doctor, this was a different place. I was not familiar with their testing system. The doctor was just telling me what line he wanted me to read and not saying 'read the line that starts with XWSA.' Or 'the second row from the bottom.' When you just leave one-liner instructions with no extra details, I won't get it. The doctor did not provide more instructions as to what line he wanted me to read. Imagine a job if someone starts to get annoyed by repeating themselves. So I cannot do jobs where they teach you your job verbally or with written instructions. I need visuals to get a better feel of how the job needs to be done. Just like if I buy a gaming rig, I look up a video on YouTube to get a better idea

Not all employers are willing to make it work for us. One time my mom told me to bring her some chicken but didn't tell me what else she wanted if there was not a lot of chicken left and got mad that I only brought her one piece of chicken. A simple 'if x isn't there then give me Y instead' is not that damn difficult. Most people with autism cannot read between the lines, therefore they need these extra details when given a task. Another thing is when we are going out, my mom just says get up early. not giving me time like 'at 8' or 'at 9.' And she'll go off on me for not being ready in time. That disqualifies me from jobs where employers think it's 'common sense' to know the task or jobs that require efficiency. Sensory Triggers.
Most autistic people have sensory triggers, these can vary from light, smell, hot, cold, crowds, and noises. Mine are heat, cold, fluorescent lights, noises, and crowds. Retail jobs will have these triggers.

Also being able to control my environment. I bought a portable cooler fan for my room. My grandma likes to do “peak time” something the electric company started where you reduce your energy use during certain times. She shuts the air off which causes both sensory issues and flares up my respiratory issues. I bought the cooler so I can still be cool in my room. Or a handheld fan if I’m in a warm room etc. I’ve noticed I struggle to regulate my body temp. Autistic folks have a harder time with this than neurotypical people.

This is along the lines of my mom getting mad at me for not understanding her one-liner instructions and expecting me to just know what she wants

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