Job prospects any suggestions ???

[arthousesalem]

I'm in special Ed and have Aspergers and understand how difficult it can be working with others. I have no problems teaching my students who are Aspergers and others who have an intellectual impairments. I have no problem researching, planning lessons and units. But I do have problems at work with staff who are NT's. It got to a point where it was bullying and harassment and I had to take some leave 4 years ago. That event turned out to be my discovery and journey into finding out that I had Aspergers (last year- though I knew I had it way before). Best thing that could have happened to me.

But it still doesn't solve the issues I have at work with staff.
I hear them giggling at me, they don't take me seriously and I find that I have zero trust it what they say to me. I can't relate to them it's as if they are alien to me. I'm told that I'm not approachable (what ever that means) and that I'm eccentric (also been called goofy and ODD).

I know I have to leave I've been here too long. My 1st boss was nasty, constantly picking at everything I did and it was due to her that I had to take leave. She destroyed all my confidence. Going to work was like going to hell everyday. And the fact that I find it hard reading people's body language and facial features made it worse.

My 2nd boss was amazing she had two autistic sons and helped me scaffold my day and had clear expectations of what she wanted from me. She was great but like always the good ones leave.

The current one ... Let's just say that at times I get so frustrated that it's not funny. Maybe because she's from a physical Ed back ground with zero experience in special Ed.

I know that I have to make changes for my sanity! For that to change I will need to either change jobs and work as a disabilities carer (work one on one with client ), decide to do relief, Or go back to Uni and study another profession. These are my plans for down the track.

I have been told I misinterpret information (when dealing with NT's "work staff") but it can't always be the case.

Does anyone have any of these issue?

Any career paths that anyone has enjoyed?

Any info or advice (except talking to my boss or staff) would be great.

 

[Sev]

I think it's pretty awesome to read that someone with Aspergers, is the teacher of some students with Aspergers. I would have loved that opportunity. I think it is unbelievable that adults who are connected to a special ed program think its right to ostracize someone who is so visibly different/abnormal and it's horrifying to read that you practically forced to take leave to get away from it all. I really hope, that things aren't still as bad as they were.

While I would say that it is inadvisable to continue doing a job that you do not enjoy, if it is the fellow colleagues that are causing you to dislike the job, perhaps its worth looking for employment elsewhere, but in the same career area? I personally feel that special ed is one area where you are guaranteed to positively change someone else's life significantly and I feel that if you are not helping others, than you are wasting your life. So you're in quite a fulfilling niche, at least if you enjoy dealing with kids in special ed.

From what you've said, I would say that your looking for a job where either:
You have limited contact with Neurotypicals OR limited contact with people in general. There was thread made quite recently about jobs for people who have a disinterest in others. This was posted there, maybe it will help you out: Careers for People Who Hate People - Yahoo Education (Hate is a strong word though...)

Good Luck!

 

[arthousesalem]

I love teaching my students that's why I'm still doing it. If it wasn't for the kids I would have left years ago.

 

[Ereth]

You might try looking here, too:

Welcome | Asperger EmploymentAsperger Employment | promoting employment for adults with Asperger Syndrome and high functioning autism

 

[arthousesalem]

You might try looking here, too:

Welcome | Asperger EmploymentAsperger Employment | promoting employment for adults with Asperger Syndrome and high functioning autism

Thanks. I had a look at contacts it sounds great, but I'm in Australia. Do you know of any here?

 

[Ereth]

Oh, I didn't notice you were from Queensland! Sorry! I don't know of any job opportunities in Australia off the bat, but I can look.

 

[Ste11aeres]

Be aware that finding a new job can be very very difficult.

 

[Tarragon]

Physical Ed - with the greatest of respect, it doesn't sound like this person would be at all able to understand the mind of an aspie. What is she doing trying to be in charge of delivering education to people with differences away from nt!?!

Who gave her that job in the first place?!

Have you any legal rights in your country for workplaces accommodating people on the spectrum? I find it hard to believe that an organisation set up to help people like this wouldn't be capable of supporting staff.

 

[arthousesalem]

Physical Ed - with the greatest of respect, it doesn't sound like this person would be at all able to understand the mind of an aspie. What is she doing trying to be in charge of delivering education to people with differences away from nt!?!

Who gave her that job in the first place?!

Have you any legal rights in your country for workplaces accommodating people on the spectrum? I find it hard to believe that an organisation set up to help people like this wouldn't be capable of supporting staff.

I live in the country just getting staff in when people are sick is impossible. The last staff we recruited straight from Uni couldn't handle it. I diagnosed him as Adpergers and after his contract ended went back to the city to get tested. And what do you know, he received a positive diagnosis.

My current boss was the only one who applied. I think small country towns are disadvantaged because of our remote rural area.

Because I have been working with disabilities specifically autism and being Aspergers myself for over 7 years I can usually unofficially diagnose and then make referrals.

My boss will be leaving soon (they all do. They never last long) and my other staff (newbee) just started this year and thinks she knows it all.

But that's what it's like out in the country out west where no one wants to work. You make do with who ever and what ever you can. It would be great if more specialised teachers would want to work in the country

 

[Ste11aeres]

It would be hard on the kids if you left.

 

[Tarragon]

It sounds like you enjoy the good bits if your job, and it is a shame to be pushed to the point of wanting to leave because of some silly person. It seems to happen a lot with everyone here!!!

Maybe it is a case where you need to break -in the new person, even though she is supposed to know better (hah!!). lots of extra work and stress for you with no extra pay, but maybe she will just settle down after a while and realise you are good at your job??

I'm sure that she wouldn't want you to leave, as she would be left without a skilled member of the staff - which would be a disaster for her!!

But, Unfortuantely she won't know what she has until it's gone!!

Small consolation for you I know!

I can't say much constructively, as I was forced out of my last two jobs by the same sort of issues, except I didn't know anything about Aspergers at the time. If I did, I would have raised this to give me some defence, and if that didn't work, take them to court over discrimination in the workplace! Not that I'm bitter about not working for the last 4 years because of this....