July 16, 2011

I made my own checklist for certain tasks that I have to complete. I made it large and posted it in an area that I can see easily while I work. This is a good thing to do because sometimes it can be hard to remember all of the steps in a task.

I also color code my daily schedule. That helps too.

July 10, 2011

Try to create a support system for yourself. If you are trying to work and are in a environment where the people you work with don't understand you or don't accept you, you can reach out to your support system and they can help keep you calm. It is a terrible feeling to be in a place where you feel no one likes you, but if you have a good support system, it helps a lot.

July 5, 2011

Some offices have more noise and traffic, more distractions that others. It would be nice if employers would be aware of our challenges and place us accordingly. I am working on ways to raise awareness of Aspies in the workplace. Any ideas? Email me!

June 28, 2011

Stimming...

June 27, 2011

My cubicle is in a large, common area. I only have earbuds, no noise cancelling headphones and I can hear every single noise all over. It seems amplified. I am trying to make the best of this, but it is so hard.

June 23, 2011

Cubicles are stressful if you have sensory issues. 

June 8, 2011

Today I set prompts on my work calendar so that it alerts me when my various reports are due, when I take breaks and other things. I don't have a concept of time and I tend to get very engrossed in my work. Often, I forget to eat or take breaks. The prompts help me. They have apps for Blackberries now, specifically for AS life skills. Wish I had a Blackberry.

I wrote an activity that I plan to do for groups someday. It helps NTs get a feel for what it is like to have Asperger's. My husband thinks it would be very effective. Maybe one day I can get into a situation where I can talk to businesses and help employers better understand their AS employees - maybe even help facilitate the assimilation of aspies into the workplace. Wouldn't that be awesome?

May 30, 2011

Having my private workspace helps me so much! I can turn off my light when it gets too bright. It is quiet and I am seated in the back of the office so I am not exposed to a lot of traffic. It is wonderful. I am so grateful that I was placed here! I am getting major work done!

April 30. 2011

Some days I can understand why approximately 86% of Aspies are not able to keep jobs. I think a lot of it is due to NTs not being accpeting or trying to understand (we don't expect anyone to understand AS, not any more than we understand NTs). It is hard to function sometimes, but not because of the work. It is the social stuff that is difficult. We are expected to think, act and communicate like an NT. That is like asking a paraplegic to get up and walk. I talk to a lot of Aspies and I keep hearing the same thing - always the social issues. I thought getting the work done was important...

April 12, 2011

Social interactions is, I think, the most difficult part of being a working Aspie. I don't have problems communicating with clients. The social interactions are difficult in a work setting, though because it seems that those we work with have different expectations than our clients. They seem to want something different that I don't understand, something beyond just work.

I just want to be accepted and treated with kindness. I am different, no one can change that. But I am valuable. I do my work and I don't bother people. I am really quiet and try to not get in anyone's way, just do my job. I am a hard worker, loyal and intelligent.

Still, I have been called "difficult" and treated as if I am mentally challenged.

I'm neither of those things, I'm just autistic.

If you truly want to understand what your employer experiences with you, take a moment and explore the Employer section as well as the Support section. You may be surprised and even see things in a new light.