When it comes to finding a job, we are all different no matter if we have some kind of diagnosis or not. Some search their whole life without finding what is right for them whilst others know what path to walk at a very young age. I don’t say that one way is better than the other, but I have personally always been impressed by those who always knew. Probably because I have always been a searcher still to this day. For me, work was not my number one priority. My different special interest was the priority since it gave my life meaning and the drive to wake up everyday. I understood that I had to work to provide for myself, so I did, but I never had any clear goal what to achieve or strive for when it came to work. I studied to become a teacher, but I did not realize that it was not suitable for me. I just worked inside the education system for a few years before quitting that path and never looked back. Now I have come to the conclusion that I wished that I had studied something else and that I had put in more effort to build a career. I have discovered a passion for business and economics, so something along that line would have been good for me. It is easy to be wise in hindsight, but I did what I could at the time.
I think that in general the best we can do is to identify our passions, our strengths, and do something with that. Why not take advantage of something that comes easy for you? Makes more sense than trying to swim against the current doing things that are not there naturally for you. Of course, it is possible to become better at anything if you want it bad enough. At what cost though? I don’t mean that everything in life should be easy. Certainly not, most things take effort and the reward is so fulfilling when you fight and win a great victory in the end.
I think that working on your strengths instead of your weaknesses is especially important for us who are Autistic because we are often better suited to be a master at one thing rather than be mediocre at many. If I take a look at my own abilities I am a bit uneven. I am worse equipped for many things, but at the same time I can do things at a very high standard in other areas. There is no right or wrong, but we all need to do what is best for us.
Meeting a new employer can be challenging but I think that a key to success is to be open with what you need to feel good at this workplace. This will enable you to do a great job and put you in a position where you actually want to be and can flourish, not just survive. Show your potential boss what you can do for the company, if you have valuable skills that the company can benefit from. They will probably be open to make some adjustments for you if this is needed. Don’t sell yourself short because being different can be a good thing.
Personally, I have been lucky enough to experience understanding for my situation. At my current workplace they let me avoid some tasks in favor of others that suits me better. There is room for me to do a good job with tasks that need to be done and at the same time does not put too much stress on me. I still challenge myself to do something a little out of my comfort zone, but they do not push me into a corner where I don’t like to be.
Sometimes we need to give things a chance both when it comes to where to work and what tasks that we want to do. There is a possibility that we realize that we are better suited for doing a certain job than what we initially thought, it can take some trial and error.
I don’t know which possibilities there are in the country that you are from, but here in Sweden where I live you can have the right to have a wage subsidy. Lönebidrag is a financial contribution to the employer as a compensation for the employer adapting the job and the workplace to your circumstances. This can increase your chances of getting and keeping a job that suits your competence and skills. I have had jobs both with and without this compensation for my employer, but at my current job I receive this and it is a win-win for both parties. Having this type of wage subsidy puts me in a favorable situation to negotiate and the employer had even more reason to hire me. It also makes it easier to keep the job as well.
Do the best of what you have and keep your head up and remember that a nice change can be waiting for you just around the corner.
Daniel Antonsson is a 43 year old Autistic man living in Sweden with his Venezuelan girlfriend and four year old daughter. He has always enjoyed writing about different subjects and being able to publish for the Art of Autism make him feel truly blessed.
A very clear and interesting article! Thank you! I wish I lived in Sweden. Here adaptation costs take a long time to claim and that definitely puts people off employing the “differently abled”. Most of us keep quiet about things until we are sure it won’t lose us a job.