AutisticHannah
194 supporters
Navigating Work as an Autistic.

Navigating Work as an Autistic.

Nov 21, 2022

I never realised working was going to be a problem for me; I was passionate about working in marketing and business.

Business came naturally to me, and I constantly got good grades without trying much. Everyone in my family knew I would be great at it. Dreams didn't become a reality during the two work experiences I did at college - the truth hit me.

I was unable to work and was in a constant state of anxiety, burnout and hiding crying. The feeling of being stage frightful wouldn't leave. No matter how long or hard I tried. I even developed heart palpitations for a week. 

Feeling "stage fright" felt like I was frozen whenever a customer asked me if I had responsibility. I felt clueless and anxious. I couldn't handle it. Back then, I thought I was dealing with anxiety and would learn to grow out of it, and I wasn't diagnosed then. I didn't know what was 'wrong' with me. Why couldn't I work like everyone so easily did? I watched as others interacted with customers so naturally. I was confused and jealous.

During this time, my parents and siblings laughed at my pathetic excuse of trying to work and leaving after 4 hours. My college was also mad at me for not completing the compulsory work experience.

In 2019 I decided to apply for universal credits and get doctor's notes for anxiety as I couldn't work. I felt like a failure and was embarrassed. I only had these benefits for about five months whilst profoundly depressed and alone.

During corona, I started exploring being an online sex worker and was able to quit universal credits because of this. Having my chosen work hours and being incredibly passionate and tunnel visioning on this made me very successful at the time.

I still do this work today, just less often. However, my true passion is to write and help other autistics, and another way of earning has been kind donations to this blog (which is super encouraging and exciting).


I decided to ask my autistic Twitter followers about their experience and feelings towards work.

Here are some replies:

"I feel useless, that I'm exaggerating and being lazy, and like I'm taking advantage of society, and something horrible will happen to me for this anytime soon." - @adepressedwitch

"It makes me feel ashamed and trapped. I'd love to be able to work, but no company would ever accommodate my needs." - @bandibopper

"It makes me feel worthless and less than human. Everyone else can do their jobs, why can't I?" - @LexGonGivIt2Ya_.

All of these tweets have something in common. They feel useless, upset and lazy. Why? Society tells us that if we aren't valuable to capitalism, we are nothing. Workforces need to change. Workplaces need to accommodate disabilities, and the community needs to be supportive, helpful and understanding instead of the propaganda that capitalism spews. 

Life shouldn't be about work. 


What has been your experience with jobs and work?

Enjoy this post?

Buy AutisticHannah a coffee

5 comments

More from AutisticHannah