Life is easy, compared to a few years ago.
I laugh a lot. My girls are growing getting stronger, more mature, still playfull with a wicked sense of humour.
And, though it sucks not to be able to get a paid job at the moment, I now am happy to be in a volunteering position. I can see what it going wrong, but it will not have an effect on my income. I can use it to learn to deal with the stress it brings, and can use it to see my strengths and my dangers.
(Somehow now I get away with pretty obnoxious behaviour, because it pays off, but in a paid position, I would not have that freedom, not this much at least)
Getting an assessment next week, to see if there is someone willing to hire an aspie without disability compensation. Good to know my weaknesses and strengths better, when having that meeting.
Oh, thanks for the update! Yeah, work is a tough one. I'm considering if it's possible or worthwhile discussing the Aspergers with them. It's undisclosed at the moment, but my environment is noisy, difficult to work in for most people, let alone me who can't keep up with all the backstabbing and games. That in itself is stressful.
Lucky to have a job though. Just always wonder if disclosing would ever be a good idea.
I hope your assessment goes well!
I tend to NOT disclose anything, until I can "trust" someone, then I let it out in tiny parcels, making THEM put it all together and assess each step as I go.
... been down this road before. It is a tough call and dangerous, either way you go.
Indeed. My disclosure came after I burned down, and found out about Aspergers. They kept me on sick leave for a long long time. I was on that for two years. I wanted to start to work, therapeutically, or anything, but they did not let me. It's now in my files. Not disclosing would not make sense now, I have a gap of years in my resume. But it is biting me in the ass.
I applied for disability income, just because with the DX a disability income would get me a job, that would get me a boss getting compensated for hiring me. That's what a disability income for a condition stemming from childhood is meant for in this country. The guy I saw for applying, he said I was the reason the income was invented, but alas, I would fall through the cracks, and not get it. He tried his best, and was man enough to call me himself, telling me he had not succeeded getting it for me.
Despite me having had jobs before, now with a known DX, I am screwed.
Did tell me a lot about people though, having my DX disclosed. For some it makes no difference, they take me for who I am, for my talents and faults, just like they do with everyone. There are others too. Some of them people who knew me for quite a long time. And they now treat me as if I don't exist, or am like shit.
Most people I meet are OK about it. But on paper, it screws my chances for a job, so far.
So, disclosure, only if you know it is really safe to do so, I think, or after getting retired. I do think it is important that adults tell about being on the spectrum. It is important for the ones younger than us, that society knows we exist, that there are adults on the spectrum, adults functioning in society. But, as long as adults get shunned for that, losing job opportunities, it is a dangerous thing to do.
