How I Found Autism Acceptance in the Work Place

This post is featured on The Mighty:
https://themighty.com/2018/04/autism-acceptance-workplace/

80% of people on the Autism Spectrum are unemployed.

For the 20% of those of us who are employed. Only 13.9% work full-time.

I am one of those 13.9%

How lucky do I consider myself? Extremely. I feel like I rolled a natural 20 in D&D, found twenty dollars on the ground, and found the perfect parking spot, all rolled into one.

It wasn't easy to say the least. It was a combination of determination, a bit of luck, and an amazing, supportive workplace.

I started my job at the local grocery store as a co-op student through my high school. (A co-op student is someone who works for free for a few hours during the school week. And in exchange you get some school credits).

I did a mock interview, which I failed. I mean, really failed. Every question I messed up, I stuttered and stammered; ummed and ahhed. It was an absolute disaster.

The first semester, I think the number of words I said could be counted on my fingers. I was terrified, and so far out of my comfort zone. I went in, did my job, and left.

The second semester, I spoke a bit more, I was getting more comfortable and it showed. My performance was good enough that they hired me.

I was officially employed part-time.

Now hold on, I said above I was full-time. And I am, now. But this is just the beginning.

For four years I worked part-time; learnt different positions, and trained under the previous fulltimer.

I grew more comfortable, started speaking more; actually I rarely shut up now. (It's an ongoing joke that my coworkers and bosses wish we could go back to when I was a co-op student and didn't speak)

Last year the fulltimer retired, and as of December 2017, I have been fulltime. I have responsibilities and have to make decisions. I'm loving every minute of it. Everyday I get to do what I do best, joke around with my coworkers, and just have a blast. (If my boss ever sees this. We don't have fun at all. We just work really hard. And you should give me a raise *wink wink* *nudge nudge*)

I'm working fulltime, when 7 years ago, my family,doctors, and I thought I would never have even a part time job.

There's no way I would be where I am today without the support of my bosses.

When I had my first panic attack at work; I was terrified I was going to lose my job, which led to another panic attack.

When I had my first sensory meltdown, autism meltdown, autism shutdown; they were there to help me. I wasn't a burden to them like I was at school (but that's another story). My one boss sat with me, helped me refocus and get out of my head, helped me find my words, and calm down.

How many of you reading this, have people at your work who know you better than you know yourself? That can tell if you're getting anxious, or overwhelmed before you even realize it yourself? That can pull you aside and calm you down before you reach your breaking point? I don't know the actual number, but I will guess it's exponentially small.

But despite all my quirks, my issues, et cetera; when I go into work, I'm not the autistic guy. I'm not the guy with anxiety issues. They see me as the hard worker I am. They see me as just Kaleb. And I can't thank them enough for it.

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