Jobs That Autistic People Cannot Have Q

[cassa333]

My daughter is Autistic and when I spoke to both the Dr and the school they both said that if she is diagnosed there are some jobs she would be barred from. Such as the armed forces (and tbh unless Armageddon broke out and the world population was down to 'the last of mankind making a stand against the evil alien invaders' I am glad she couldn't).

But... my brothers son has just been diagnosed (for some reason it was a shock to my brother but not to anyone who actually knows his son!!).

Both my daughter and his son are high functioning and in the top of their pier groups academically but socially z list. In fact probably below z list but anyway.

Brother is a wiz bang satellite system programmer and is hoping because of his socialisation issues etc to get him into computers and that sort of thing and is reluctant to get his son diagnosed because he is worried that he won't be able to get a good job.

I have had a look around the internet a bit and can only find the armed forces that Barr Autistic people although there are probably other jobs that demand a lot of team work and sociability that Barr them. Brother is worried that having a diagnosis will mean he can't work for a company that 'works' for the MOD or such like.

Does anyone know of a list of jobs or organisations that won't employ Autistic people please?

Thanks

[cassa333]

Maybe not a list as such more the sort of things they couldn't do.

[ummmm]

My son is autistic and I've never heard of a list of jobs they cannot do.

How old is your daughter?

[Buenchico]

I doubt that such a list exists because there are so many different forms of autism and (hopefully) employers will make their judgments based upon each individual's strengths and weakness, rather adopting a 'broad brush' approach.

For example, I've supervised a team of people where one guy clearly has either Asperger's Syndrome or something very similar to it. (He's an exceptionally bright maths graduate). In my reports to the company we both work for, I've repeatedly had to say that he's the most dependable guy in the team, who's always the first to arrive and incredibly hard-working. Therefore he deserves to be offered lots more work in a basic team role. However I've also had to point out that he clearly experiences some communication difficulties, which would make it impossible for him to work as a supervisor (simply because other team members wouldn't be able to fully understand his instructions).

However it would clearly be ridiculous for me to suggest that the company should never employ any maths graduate with high-functioning autism as a supervisor because (as a maths graduate with high-functioning autism myself, who's been satisfactorily supervising jobs for the company for over a decade) I'd be doing myself out of a job!

I've previously coped (and even thrived) in secondary teaching for many years, as well as doing other jobs (such as running a railway station). My friend, who is also on the autism spectrum, is a retired social worker, so there would seem to a wide range of jobs available to many people with high-functioning autism but, clearly, some people will fit into some roles far better than others. Indeed, it seems to me that some people with autism are particularly well-suited to working in the 'caring professions' precisely because they don't 'care' in the same way that others do. (e.g. the best paramedics are likely to be people who can step away from emotion and deal with major road acidents as 'just another job', rather than 'feeling involved').

The National Autistic Society publishes an eBook to help people with autism find work. It costs a fiver but you might find that it's well worth it. Their website also has further information which might help:
http://www.autism.org.uk/about/adult-life/work.aspx

[1ozzy]

I've been pondering your question for a while Cassa, it's a very broad and open question.

My youngest started pre-school/kindergarten at 3 years old. The teachers told us he was a genius, 6 months later they claimed "he had a problem". After years of seeing specialists the diagnosis was mild autism.

I'm sure his eldest brother is also on the scale, 3 BSC degrees with honours, studied simultaneously over 4 years, not real good at socialising.

I'm sure if the same ability to test children was available in the 60's I'd be classed the same.

It all depends on the "scale" of autism and the person themselves.

Sorry, I don't think there is an answer.

[ummmm]

Like you Ozzy I'm sure I'd be diagnosed. My son is scarily like me. It was his nursery school that suggested I got him tested.

[1ozzy]

Hee hee Ummmm, you are now my "cyber sister".

I suspected we had something in common.

If I had many hours spare I'd list my traits that point towards autism ;-/

[Buenchico]

With regard to the British armed forces (mentioned in the question), I'm surprised that anyone can get in!
https://www.raf.mod.uk/recruitment/media/1652/medical-conditions-that-preclude-entry.pdf

[Jackdaw33]

^^^ LOL @ that. When I joined the RAF the only condition that precluded entry was flat feet!

[cassa333]

Thank you everyone.

I tend to think that rather than being barred they just wouldn't be able to get past the entry interview or something. And I think you're right Buenchico, any in work assessment would bring these issues up. So it's more a matter of progression!

My nephew is 10 and my daughter is 14.

My daughter wanted to put herself forward for prefect as both the tutor teacher and year head said her year could apply now for next years intake. (How she would cope having to be 'in charge' of people is a mystery but she was willing to give it a go). When she went to get the form from student services she was told she wasn't allowed. A couple of her friends put themselves forward so she knows it isn't that the year can't apply. Even though I have asked twice no one has told me why she was not allowed to.

Daughter originally wanted to open a cafe and took cookery as an early entry but has decided to drop both the course and the cafe idea as she realised she would have to get on with and talk to people. Lol

[Jackdaw33]

I am no expert on the subject but I once taught a boy who I believe had Asperger's syndrome, a mild form of autism. Generally he was no problem but every now and then he would disappear. When I enquired as to his whereabouts I would be told that he was under the hut (a temporary prefab classroom). It then became my job to coax him out.

[Zacs-Master]

You’ve probably seen this cassa, but I thought I’d give the link JIC.

http://www.autism.org.uk/about/adult-life/work.aspx

[dannyk13]

Perhaps it would be worthwhile contacting this society:-
http://www.autism.org.uk/

[Jackdaw33]

When I first heard the term I thought it was a rare condition but lately seems to have become much more prevalent. I wonder whether we are all to some greater or lesser degree autistic, or is it just a convenient label to hang on those who are badly behaved or are socially inept. I don't know the answer.

[pastafreak]

There was a documentary on C4 several nights ago..." Are You Autistic?" Hosted by 2 young autistic campaigners,they sought to explain what having the condition is all about, and also that there are many amongst us who probably have the condition. Well worth watching.

http://www.channel4.com/programmes/are-you-autistic

[ummmm]

Jack - my autistic son has never been badly behaved and only received praise from his school.

[woofgang]

I suspect that in most cases, it would be adjudged as discriminatory and therefore illegal to bar someone on the basis of a diagnosis. As with any person, companies are entitled to choose not to employ an individual for a specific job on the basis that they don't have the skill set for that job. I can see why the armed forces might be excused but don't think the law in the Uk will allow private companies a similar latitude.

[ummmm]

Woof - I was advised to not get my son statemented as the label might restrict him.

He's far more intelligent than my other two kids. He loves learning.

[Jackdaw33]

With respect, Woof, that is twaddle. If you are unable, for whatever reason, to do the job you are hired for, or are a potential danger to yourself and/or others, it is perfectly legal to refuse someone.

[Jackdaw33]

I am intrigued, ummmm. What exactly is it about your son which attracts the epithet 'autistic'?

[woofgang]

Jackdaw we are in violent agreement. If an INDIVIDUAL is unable to do a job for whatever reason, then that INDIVIDUAL can be not hired or can be given notice. What I am saying is that by and large its not legal to say "We blanket won't hire anyone who has be diagnosed on the autistic spectrum/is an amputee/is deaf" and so on on the basis of the diagnosis or disability alone.