#autism employment gap

[johnlocked1827384]

I finally got hired for a job I mean it is part time event staff stuff and it's no guaranteed hours or anything but I had an interview and then I got hired which is kind of a big deal for me because I'm autistic and I've been trying to get a job while I'm studying on and off for a few years now

[fuck-customers]

This is a "fuck the hiring process"

I love (/s) how if you have any kind of gap in your work history, people are less likely to choose you for an interview/consider hiring you, however, the more your applications are denied the larger that gap in employment gets, thus making you less and less employable. and you can't even be honest in interviews about that because everything in interviews is like fucking fae-speak.

and on interviews, love (/s) how, thanks to anxiety, or autism,or whatever the fuck I have that makes me functionally incapable of acting like a human, I can tell when I've failed a speech check I just don't know how to pass it in regards to interviews. if i'm lucky, at least I get told I'm rejected a week later, instead of having ulcer inducing anxiety in regards to getting a response at all.

going on over a year unemployed, yippee skippee.

When I get stuck in interviews I ramble on about how I made unhappy customers happy. Got me a managers gig at the military dollar and the meats fat food joint. I didn't last long at either.

-Rodney

[my-autism-adhd-blog]

hii, do you have any help for job hunting? I've been unemployed for so long I've kind of forgotten what I /did/ before in job hunting and now I'm scared with the huge gap years and my lack of skills because I couldn't be a good unemployed person doing formations and classes I really just only gotten obsessed over my garden 😑

Hi there,

I found some sites that have listed some jobs.

I hope these have jobs that interests you. Thank you for the inbox. I hope you have a wonderful day/night. ♥️

[autistpride]

Autism Acceptance

Prompt 11: Coffee shop AU

Wordcount: 1000

@wolfstarmicrofic

Remus had trouble finding work. He put in applications everywhere, for any position, because he was desperate. Despite passing all his courses and gaining the required GCSE’s, he bombed his interviews. So he had told his parents that he would take a gap year instead and get some work experience. Only no one called him for an interview and the few that had, turned him away within minutes.

After nearly two months, Remus finally came clean to his parents about his lack of employment. His mum had to hold his dad back from giving a few of the places he applied a piece of his mind. Never one to allow Remus to give up, Lyall decided he would open up his own coffee shop and hire Remus as an employee.

Everything moved quickly and soon The Full Moon Cafe opened its doors. A small quaint little hole in the wall shop that mixed coffee, library, and children’s playground together. One corner of the shop held a little indoor climbing structure, slide, and foam floors for children. The other two walls were covered floor to ceiling in books that people donated. The last wall housed the single unisex toilet and the tiny kitchenette space. It also had the counter and display case that showed off the day’s delicious baked goods that his mum made fresh every morning. 

It took Remus some time to get used to the position and how to make all the different drinks, but everyone was patient with him. By the time his gap year was over, Remus was a pro and asked to stay on instead of trying for university again. He had learned all the regulars names, memorised their orders, and even went so far as to have them ready for when they walked in. Remus hadn’t encountered a rude customer or a confusing order once, that could also have to do with the fact that it was a fairly small town and everyone knew everyone. No one came into the cafe that didn’t know Remus was autistic, at least not until Sirius Black. 

The bell dinged over the cafe door and the prettiest guy Remus had ever seen walked in one after the other. Remus had never seen anyone like them before. They were total opposites yet so oddly the same.

“I’ll have an iced Ristretto, ten shot, venti with breve. five pumps vanilla, seven pumps caramel, and four Splenda poured not shaken, but placed into a trenta cup so it doesn’t splash out the top.”

The look on Remus’ face must have betrayed him because the man looked at Remus and immediately changed his order. “On second thought, I’ll just have a tea.”

Remus nodded and rang the man up, asking for his name. 

“Sirius. Yes I am serious. Sirius, like the star,” the man said while pulling his hair back into a scrunchie he apparently kept in his pocket.

Remus wrote the name on the cup and poured the hot water into it, placing the loose leaf tea into a disposable tea bag and setting it into the cup to steep before handing it to Sirius, the star. 

Sirius nodded his thanks and set up at a small table near the entrance. 

For the following four days later Sirius came back, once again ordering a tea and nothing more. Remus didn’t work weekends, instead his friend James took those shifts. James played football with the local club and attended courses at university during the week, so he took all the weekend shifts.

Remus couldn’t get Sirius out of his head all weekend and when he showed up for work on Monday, Sirius was there right at opening. 

Another week went by and Remus and Sirius had started to talk more, just general pleasantries and small talk. Sirius never ordered anything more than tea and sometimes a pastry. Remus knew he could make complicated orders and he knew Sirius knew after two weeks sitting in the cafe and listening to some of the complex requests from customers that came in, but Sirius never asked for his original order again. 

That third week, Remus had Sirius’ tea ready by the time he walked in every morning, not unlike the other regulars. Yet what Remus never said was that Remus practised at night after the shop closed up. He was determined to get Sirius’ original order right. It took him another week to manage it, and when he did he cheered and danced around the shop.

Monday of the fourth week, Remus handed  Sirius his order when he showed up. Sirius looked at the cup confused. 

“Remus this isn’t a tea” he said with his brows furrowed and his nose scrunched up.

Remus shook his head no with a grin, “no its not.”

Sirius took a tentative sip of the drink and his eyes widened in surprise, stormy grey meeting golden.

“You made my order.” 

Remus nodded, proud of himself.

Sirius took another drink and moaned as if he was drinking the best thing he had ever tasted.

The noise was absolutely obscene in Remus’ ears and his ears turned dark red and his cheeks flushed. 

“Remus this is the nicest thing anyone has ever done for me. You remembered something I told you like a month ago and you, you practised this didn’t you?”

Remus simply shrugged like it was no big deal. 

Sirius set the cup down on the counter before leaning over the counter and wrapping his arms around Remus in the most awkward hug Remus had ever experienced, and he experienced a lot of awkward hugs. 

When Remus didn’t return the hug Sirius dropped his arms and stuttered through another thank you and practically ran to his usual table, forgetting his drink on the counter. 

Remus looked down, seeing the cup, and bit back a laugh before walking it across the cafe to him. 

“Oh fuck thanks,” Sirius mumbled. 

“Hey SIrius?” Remus asked, “can we try that again?”

 Sirius smiled and nodded.

[johannestevans]

The Smashwords end of year sale ends January 1st!

In the meantime, I've dozens of shorts discounted from 99c to FREE, and you can peruse them at your leisure, and even go and buy them all for yourself.

Such shorts, novellettes, and novellas, generally featuring queer, trans, disabled, and neurodivergent characters, as...

Divine Bodies: The god Freyr expects good work from his priests, but gives good rewards. In Medieval Norway, Esben, a trans man, is a devoted priest of the god Freyr, and as reward for his good service, Freyr administers testosterone hormonal treatment in a very magical and satisfying manner.

A Man's Indentures: A man indentured for his parents' debts is dispatched to a magic-poor island to serve as bodyguard to the local bailiff — an imperfectly beautiful man who has indentures of his own.

Workplace Connections: A junior secretary makes a friend at work, and some more besides. 1960s Manhattan, featuring lavender marriages, period queerness, autism, misogyny, cats, etc. Light-hearted age gap cheeriness.

The Devil's Mark: In medieval Bohemia, a young man trails after the executioner after the hanging of his father. Eventually taking pity on him, the executioner invites him inside.

Deep Breath: A very mentally ill painter is utterly obsessed with the butcher across the road, and the butcher is a little obsessed back.

A Gift for the Wolfmen: A young man in a brothel is invited to join a quartet of hulking wolf-like warriors. Featuring lots of cumflation.

The Widower's Garden: Horror/Fantasy. After a man is widowed, his husband begins to appear at the foot of his garden every night.

Archival Management: An archivist with a messy life finds himself intensively managed by his sexy, older boss. Featuring age difference, orgasm denial, oral, desperation, crying, a bit of mild humour and nastiness, delicious emotional manipulation, and a heavy dose of mind-reading.

Gellert's New Job: Mean transgender autist, Gellert Osgodby, has worked as a business manager for the King family for nearly a decade when an error in judgement brings his employment to an abrupt end. Lucien Pike, a rival kingpin, employs his services instead.

... and many more!

Browse the free books while ye may here on Smashwords!

[lyriumrain]

While I do absolutely relate to the trans metaphor aspect of I Saw the TV Glow, what I think hit harder was the feeling of being frozen out of your own life.

I had a breakdown at work in my 20s, I felt so overwhelmed. This is when I realised that I couldn't handle having a job and doing a university degree simultaneously. They stopped calling me into work after that, I didn't even quit technically. But I just focused on finishing my degree.

However this break in my "working life", and my autism + adhd diagnosis, meant I just wouldn't be hired, anywhere. And I still can't. It doesn't matter how hard I try to sell myself, it doesn't matter how confident I try to appear, or how clear I try to make it that I'm "passionate" about returning to work; nothing matters because all they (employers) see is an ever-increasing gap in my resume. I'm too much work for anyone to care about.

People say "work isn't everything", but anyone who spends 5 minutes in a capitalist society can tell you - yes, yes it is actually. Despite being in an incredibly lucky position with friends who support me, I still feel like I'm standing on the outside, watching everyone else get to live. While I'm suffocating. And not even the people who care about me can do anything to help.

Owen screaming "I'm dying right now" to a room full of people who just shut-down in response is how I feel all the fucking time. I lie about having a job when I meet someone new, because people get so viscerally uncomfortable at the mere mention of "unemployment".

I want so desperately to be myself, to live how I feel inside. But there's only so much volunteering or going for walks can do to fill a void of emptiness caused by living in a broken society where your worth as a human being depends on being able to work a 9-5.

[transmutationisms]

do you think vaccines should be mandatory? my view has always been that public health would outweigh personal choice in this instance but i also see the bodily autonomy argument, though ultimately i think it’s flawed and weird to compare, say, abortions with vaccines. i was wondering if you had an opinion or any resources on this topic?

this is one of those questions where i think the framing conceals a lot of unspoken premises and social/political assumptions. what do we even mean by a vaccine mandate in the first place? the truth is that in many contexts, vaccines are already mandatory—the trick is that these mandates are generally designed and first enforced by employers, schools, and private business establishments, rather than coming through direct state intervention. incidentally, most censorship works similarly, despite it also being positioned discursively as a matter of direct state intervention. the truth is that you are far more likely to run into problems if you, say, have an employer who requires vaccination—which makes your paycheck (that is, your ability to continue living) dependent on a medical intervention—than you are to face some kind of right-winger fear fantasy of a shadowy government agent showing up to your doorstep with a syringe. these things happen by economic coercion far more than through direct state command.

with that in mind, to me the issue that 'vaccine mandates' point to isn't so much an idealist conflict between 'safety' and 'liberty' or however nyt is framing it these days—rather, it's the fact that employers have the structural position to impose their will on employees, who often must comply or face, literally, starvation. i am willing to say this is a bad social structure despite the fact that in the case of vaccines i obviously agree that the particular intervention in question is a good thing, and is something that anyone who is medically eligible should be getting. in order to make vaccines mandatory, you need an enforcement mechanism—the one we currently primarily rely on is economic coercion in the form of threatening loss of livelihood (again, this also applies to most censorship cases). while i, again, strenuously think that people who can get vaccinated should do so, in order to make such a thing compulsory you have to confront the issue of what power structures make the compulsion possible and actionable. prisons? relying on the political whims and economic threats of employers? too often, a 'mandatory vaccine' is presented as though it could be ethically debated in the abstract, without reference to these conditions!

anyway, i'm not going to pretend that i can solve vaccine hesitancy in the next 90 seconds in a tumblr post, but off the top of my head here are some factors i think are major contributors to this issue:

ableism (eg, andrew wakefield preying on the fact that many parents would rather risk their children catching preventable dangerous diseases than let them be supposedly exposed to a greater chance of becoming autistic)

public distrust of physicians and public health infrastructure, for reasons ranging from medical racism and eugenics to discomfiting and traumatic experiences with the inherently (in this system) power-imbalanced relationship between medical professionals and patients

the massive gap between expert and lay knowledge on medical topics, enforced by mechanisms like paywalls and benefitting the prestige and pecuniary enrichment of physicians and public health experts (this provides fertile ground for grifters and liars to prey on people's confusion and difficulty verifying information)

possibilities for lies about vaccines to lead to financial enrichment, as in the case of social media grifts, heterodox and alternative medical practitioners, or eg andrew wakefield trying to sell his own vaccine after publishing his now-retracted paper on the supposed link between autism and the mmr vaccine

these are all bad things; they are also all actionable things. i do not think that it's some kind of transhistorical condition of humanity that we must choose between either passing each other dangerous diseases or designing coercive or punitive measures to force compliance with public health recommendations. i think all of these things are in fact very directly resultant of capitalism, the way it values bodies and health (biopolitics), and its politics of knowledge and expertise.

[if-im-being-honest]

The autism employment gap scares me

[manifestosummaries]

Disability

Conservative Party

Continue the Lilac Review to encourage more female and disabled entrepreneurs - Paraphrased (page 9/80)

"reform the system to make it fairer and more sustainable, unlocking the potential of millions of people and giving them the support they need to get into work" - Specifically in relation to disability & health condition (page 24/80)

"Reform our disability benefits so they are better targeted and reflect people’s genuine needs, while delivering a step-change in mental health provision" - In relation to "unsustainable rise in benefit claims for people of working age with a disability or health condition" - This includes "improving PIP assessments" and changing provisions offered (page 24/80)

Continue to modernise autism and learning disability services (page 43/80)

Give councils the power to ban pavement parking - Subject to business & residential engagement (page 59/80)

Delivering "Disability Action Plan", Pass the "Down Syndrome Act", Improve support for people with guide / assistance dogs - There are no specifics on any of these (page 61-62/80)

Explore hosting the 2031 Special Olympics World Summer Games (page 62/80)

Accelerate the rollout of Universal Credit to ensure it always pays to work - Including eliminating the legacy benefits system entirely (page 25/80)

Taking a zero-tolerance approach to welfare fraud - Relevant as it will make access harder (page 25/80)

Labour

Tackle access to work claim backlog (to address issue of immediate benefit reassessments), reform / replace Work Capability Assessments, support disabled people getting into work (page 43/136)

Ensure special schools address the needs of those with disabilities and have a community-wide approach incorporating schools and SEND - paraphrased (page 83/136)

Equalise pay for disabled people (88/136)

Improve employment support (89/136)

Protect disabled people by making all existing strands of hate crime an aggravated offence (89/136)

Look for ways to incorporate support for working aged disabled people into the National Care Service (NCS) Labour will establish - paraphrased (page 101/136)

Review Universal Credit (page 78/136)

Liberal Democrats

Help disabled people enter the job market (page 18/117)

Ending inappropriate and costly inpatient placements for people with learning disabilities and autism (page 33/117)

Ensure parents can access childcare that helps identifying and supporting children with special educational needs and disabilities in the new training programme for early years staff (page 48/117)

Improve the benefits system for disabled people by giving disabled people a stronger voice in policy & process, bringing work capability assessments in-house, and reforming personal independence payment processes - paraphrased (page 52/117)

Improve Disabled Access in the rail network (page 79/117)

"Give everyone a new right to flexible working and every disabled person the right to work from home if they want to, unless there are significant business reasons why it is not possible" (page 94/117)

Requiring large employers to monitor and publish data on disability (and other protected characteristic) employment levels, pay gaps and progression, and publish five-year aspirational diversity targets (page 96/117)

Make it easier for disabled people to access public life by adopting new standards for public spaces, improving legislative framework around blue badges, incorporating UN law on disabled people into UK law, tackling the employment gap, raising awareness of the access to work scheme, introducing "adjustment passports" to clearly express individual needs and adjustments, expand on the BSL act, including in government communicates (page 97/117)

Establish an independent commission for annual increases to Universal Credit to appropriately cover living expenses (page 51/117)

Reduce wait for first Universal Credit payment from 5 weeks to 5 days (page 52/117)

"Ending the young parent penalty for under-25s by restoring the full rate of Universal Credit for all parents regardless of age" (page 52/117)

Green Party (England & Wales)

"Free personal care to ensure dignity in old age and for disabled people" (page 7/48)

"Restore the value of disability benefits with an immediate uplift of 5%" (page 8/48)

"End the unfair targeting of carers and disabled people on benefits" (page 8/48)

"Oppose plans to replace Personal Independence Payments (PIP) cash payments with ‘vouchers’, and in the long term reform intrusive eligibility tests like PIP" (page 8/48)

"Make it mandatory for councils to provide free transport for 16–18-year-old pupils with Special Educational Needs and Disability"

"Ensure disabled workers have the in-job support they need, as well as proper pay and conditions" (page 8/48)

"Champion the right to inclusive welfare support, and housing under the principles of universal design" (page 8/48)

"Push for pay-gap protections to be extended to all protected characteristics including ethnicity, disability" (page 20/48)

"Equate the rate of pension tax relief with the basic rate of income tax to help fund the social care that will allow elderly and disabled people on low incomes to live in dignity" (page 22/48)

"20 miles per hour to be the default speed limit on roads in all built-up areas, allowing children, the elderly and disabled people to walk and wheel safely" (page 34/48)

Increase representation of under-represented groups including disabled people (page 35-36/48)

"Work cross party to support sports to be more diverse and representative, especially for women and girls and disabled people" (page 40/48)

"Police Services need to acknowledge the institutional racism, misogyny, homophobia and disablism that have dominated policing for so long" (page 41/48)

"Increase Universal Credit and legacy benefits by £40 a week" (page 21/48)

"Oppose plans to replace Personal Independence Payments (PIP) cash payments with ‘vouchers’, and in the long term reform intrusive eligibility tests like PIP" (page 8/48)

"We will end benefit sanctions and challenge the punitive approach to welfare claimants, instead recognising that that all of us might need extra support or a safety net at different points in our lives" (page 21/48)

Push to introduce Universal Basic Income (page 21/48)

Plaid Cymru

Adopt the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Disabled People into UK law to assure accessibility for all which was ratified by the UK in 2009, but never introduced into law (page 71/72)

Introduce a minimum threshold to universal credit - Paraphrased (page 40/72)

"The timetable for receipt of first payments of Universal Credit should be shortened so that individuals and families do not get into substantial debt, and repayments should operate on the basis of supporting people" (page 40/72)

Pilot Universal Basic Income (page 41/72)

[psychofrogpondwater]

I've been going over stuff that's happened in my life and I am amazed by a few things.

I see NT people acknowledging autism, or someone that's autistic, then criticize them when they don't understand things. They try to help them, and theres continued difficulties, the NT give up, then criticize, and even start accusing the ND person that they're doing it intentionally to get a rise out of them.

Somehow it is easier to believe that the ND individual are actually perfectly fine, and have, for some reason, decided that the best way to get what they want (socializing, attention, pity etc) is to go out of their way to feign ignorance about something that "everyone knows" and ask repetitive questions, all to get a rise out of others for their enjoyment. Sharing tragedies like a family members died, loss of employment are considered cries for attention, excitedly sharing good news about buying a home, or getting a car is bragging, trying to empathize with someone by giving an example of a similar experience is the ND trying to bring the spotlight onto themselves. And when they're having a total meltdown, their attempts to placate themselves, or explain what's causing their pain, is met with harsh criticism, called selfish.

Somehow, to some NTs, this person is perfectly able bodied and of sound mind, and made active decisions to take the most obtuse, painful, difficult and awkward methods to live by. Like they looked at all the available options, and constantly decides to use the worst options possible, because it will work eventually. Despite it causing all forms of trauma, from sexual abuse, bullying, losing friends, lovers, family, jobs, career chances.

Somehow that's easier to believe than they legit have difficulty with socializing, that the confusion and anxiety isn't an act.

Though, to be fair, I can understand the frustration. I have been on both sides, and it hurts either way.

After trying to help someone, eventually patience runs low, difficulty understanding where the gaps in the knowledge is at, and the other person seemingly forgetting lessons learned. Constantly leaning on you, when you get frustrated, falling back on it's my ND diagnosis.

In the end, it's not fun for either person, and it takes a lot of effort from both parties to get along. Sometimes you need to take a break, and some distance between before you can try to rebuild a bridge.

If it can be rebuilt.

[thoughtsaboutautism]

Thoughts about the article "Neurodiversity and disability: what is at stake?"

I had the opportunity to read and gather some thoughts about the article published recently by Dr. Eleanor K Jones. The piece talks about the pillars of the neurodiversity movement as well as cite recent works done by neurodiversity advocates. Dr. Jones also explains critics that are made towards the NDM and possible outcomes of its growth, specially in the UK.

The first remark I would like to make about this article is related to a campaign started by an English politician. Mentioned in the first page of the article:

"MP Robert Buckland has launched a campaign aimed at ‘closing the employment gap for autistic people and those with other neurodivergent needs’. The campaign supports businesses to ‘improve the life chances of neurodivergent employees’ (Buckland 2023) in order that they might ‘reap the benefits of a neurodiverse workforce'"

I could summarize all my critics about the NDM only using this exact paragraph. My problem with neurodiversity is not that it tries to improve the self-steem of autistic people by highlighting the good parts of being autistic. My problem is that they do that while completely erasing the real deficits and difficulties of being autistic. With the popularization of the NDM and the persistence in calling autism a difference and not a disorder, reducing social issues to double empathy problem and the disability that autism causes to the social model of disability harms all autistic people. It opens up doors to things like what the English politician is proposing: autistic people don't need disability money because actually they can work. Autistic people don't need support workers or care facilities because actually, they are just different.

And what I found most interesting about this paper is that there are real resources of people saying that. A lot of times, when I try to explain things I disagree with in the Neurodiversity Movement, I get told "well, actually, the NDM doesn't defend that" or when I say that high support needs autistics and people with intellectual disabilities are excluded from the NDM I am told "no, that's not true". Dr. Jones provides very good background to those claims that critics of the NDM have been talking about.

One other important point in the text is when Dr. Jones explains that criticism against neurodiversity is often filled with ableism and I'd dare to say pseudoscience as well. I think she is absolutely correct. Often times I see criticism of the NDM coming from people who believe vaccines cause autism, who treat autistics with intellectual disability as kids and reproduce other kinds of ableism. Criticism of NDM is important, it's valuable and necessary! We must speak up and we must keep fighting for more inclusion in our community. However, one thing we must do is organize ourselves. If possible, like Dr. Jones, write papers, share our experiences, share the experiences of higher needs autistics. But we can't rely on pseudoscience and anti-psychiatry like many in the NDM do.

A remark I would like to add is when Dr. Jones talks about activists who want to take autism off the DSM and who believe ASD is comparable to being LGBTQ. I won't address the problems with comparing ASD with sexuality/gender identity etc, neither the absurd claim that autism shouldn't be in the DSM. However, when the author points out these topics, Dr. Jones explains that, to the NDM, pathologization of autism equates curing ASD. I agree though I don't really understand why activists would think that. But I have a completely different opinion: understanding that autism is a serious developmental disability that causes serious deficits is the way we can improve treatments that give better life quality to autistic people and their families. Accepting that some have more severe communication and language difficulties means we get to improve AAC methods, we can teach them better how to express themselves. How amazing is that? But when we deny that these deficits exist and simply label them as a double empathy problem, then there's no reason to work on improving services and therapies that help autistic people.

Besides that, it seems to me that a lot of people think that accepting deficits means that we want to yell at kids "you are dumb! you are disabled, you can't do this and you can't do that". And while I agree some professionals are mean and do that to kids (I have been through that myself, trust me), that's not what I mean when I say we must accept deficits. We must treat kids with kindness and compassion, we must teach them they are different and that they do have difficulties. Their issues are not going to disappear if you don't tell them about it, they will notice that they aren't getting as good grades as their peers (trust me, we know), but learning to accept their difficulties is the way for them to learn how to love themselves as they are and not how they "could be" if they "tried harder".

At last, as Dr. Jones explains, the NDM tries to distance itself from the disability movement, as much as their activists try saying they don't. By denying impairments, by denying that autism is harmful, by denying the very real deficits autism causes, the NDM is pretty much creating an imaginary autism that is only experienced by a small but loud amount of people on the autism spectrum.

I want to thank Dr. Jones for writing such a good paper and for the person who sent me this. I really enjoyed reading. English is not my first language, so excuse me for any misunderstandings of the text.

I would like to end my thoughts about this with this amazing paragraph by Dr. Jones:

In short, neurodiversity’s insistence on autism and other mental disability as an essential, immutable part of one’s brain falls short of fully considering the dangers of the biological essentialism it implies because it does not reckon with this genealogy, among others.

[johnlocked1827384]

Time to play another game of apply for jobs and be brutally reminded of the autism employment gap

[kleefkruid]

this is why most people with ADHD/autism (after excluding the about 80% of autistic people who are unemployed*) are self-employed or semi (freelance work etc), because while being self-employed is considered very difficult it's still easier than finding a decent fullfilling job with an employer that cares (and understand!) your needs.

*there's a small variation from country to country but it's sadly always around this number, so even taking out the amount of people that 100% wouldn't be able to work or have a need for it there clearly is still a large gap to fill

[monsterfucker-lisa-swallows]

autistic people have trouble getting and keeping jobs. if you make it through the screening process without being weeded out for being somehow offputting or for being too honest about your symptoms then you end up buring out quickly or getting fired for the symptoms you have. i've had jobs where i almost got fired for my social "deficits" while i was being targeted and bullied by the people reporting me. my current job is great but i can't decide if i should come forward about my dyspraxia which is causing me some trouble when i need to bag fish or crickets for customers. my girlfriend doesn't work at all because of how difficult it is to find a job that will even take her on and don't get me started on explaining any "employment gaps". i can't work more than part time without getting burned out and i'm perpetually poor but considered too high functioning to get a disability benefit. there are many countries that won't accept an immigrant with an autism diagnosis so i'm grateful my diagnosis isn't on my official file so it can't count against me. any time something happens it's still my fault. if i try to explain myself, i'm making excuses. autism will never be destigmatized so long as it's still acceptable to exclude us and push us into poverty

Don't tell me any of u guys actually think autism is a "destigmatized disorder"

[weddingentertainmentsstuff]

Unlocking Potential: Occupational Therapy for Autism

Occupational therapy for autism is a transformative approach that helps individuals on the autism spectrum develop skills to navigate daily life. This therapeutic practice focuses on enhancing physical, cognitive, sensory, and social abilities, fostering independence and confidence. With autism rates on the rise, occupational therapy plays a vital role in bridging developmental gaps, making life more manageable and fulfilling for individuals and their families.

What is Occupational Therapy for Autism?

Occupational therapy for autism involves customized interventions tailored to meet the unique needs of each individual. The therapy focuses on improving essential life skills such as communication, motor skills, sensory integration, and social interaction. Occupational therapists (OTs) assess the individual’s strengths and challenges, crafting a personalized plan to help them overcome obstacles and achieve their goals.

This therapy is particularly effective for children with autism, as early intervention can significantly impact their developmental trajectory. However, it is equally beneficial for adolescents and adults, helping them adapt to changes and thrive in various environments.

Key Benefits of Occupational Therapy for Autism

Improved Sensory Integration

Many individuals with autism experience sensory processing challenges, leading to heightened sensitivity or aversion to certain stimuli. Occupational therapy for autism helps them regulate their sensory experiences, making it easier to engage with their surroundings.

Enhanced Social Skills

Social interaction can be daunting for individuals with autism. Through structured activities and role-playing, occupational therapy for autism aids in building meaningful connections and understanding social cues.

Development of Motor Skills

Fine and gross motor skills are crucial for daily tasks such as writing, dressing, and eating. Occupational therapists use creative exercises to improve coordination, strength, and dexterity, empowering individuals to perform these tasks independently.

Increased Independence

A core goal of occupational therapy for autism is fostering autonomy. By mastering life skills, individuals can handle daily routines, participate in school or work, and contribute to their communities with confidence.

Techniques Used in Occupational Therapy for Autism

Occupational therapists employ various techniques to address the specific needs of individuals with autism. These include:

Sensory Integration Therapy: Activities designed to help individuals process sensory information effectively, reducing discomfort or overstimulation.

Play-Based Therapy: Engaging in play to build social, cognitive, and motor skills in a fun and non-threatening environment.

Behavioral Strategies: Using positive reinforcement to encourage desirable behaviors and manage challenges.

Assistive Technology: Introducing tools like visual schedules, communication devices, or adaptive equipment to enhance daily functioning.

The Role of Families in Occupational Therapy for Autism

Family involvement is crucial for the success of occupational therapy for autism. Parents and caregivers play an active role in reinforcing the strategies taught during therapy sessions. By creating a supportive and consistent environment at home, families can help individuals generalize their skills across different settings.

Additionally, therapists often provide training and resources to families, empowering them to advocate for their loved ones and navigate challenges effectively.

Real-Life Impact of Occupational Therapy for Autism

The transformative power of occupational therapy for autism is evident in countless success stories. For example, a child who once struggled with communication and sensory overload can learn to express their needs and participate in group activities. Similarly, an adult with autism may gain the skills needed to secure employment and live independently.

These achievements highlight the importance of early intervention and ongoing support. Occupational therapy for autism not only improves the quality of life for individuals but also fosters inclusivity and acceptance within society.

Conclusion

Occupational therapy for autism is a beacon of hope for individuals and families navigating the challenges of autism spectrum disorder. By addressing sensory, motor, cognitive, and social difficulties, this therapy unlocks potential and fosters independence. Whether through sensory integration, play-based interventions, or assistive technology, occupational therapy for autism provides a pathway to a brighter future.

Investing in occupational therapy for autism is an investment in empowerment, ensuring that individuals on the spectrum can lead fulfilling and meaningful lives. If you or someone you know could benefit from this transformative approach, consider consulting an occupational therapist to explore the possibilities.

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The Atlantis Academy L.I.F.E. Program (Living Independently with Fundamental Experiences) teaches young adults over the age of 18 with autism spectrum and related disabilities the necessary skills they need to live a more independent life both in the home and in the workplace.

The L.I.F.E. Program is an intensive, post-secondary program experience that helps young adults bridge the gap between school and employment. Participants can expect a blend of classroom instruction, work experience, and social enrichment opportunities to help equip them for the real world. Students of the L.I.F.E. Program benefit from services unique to our program, and gain new skill sets that prepare them for the next chapter of their lives.