The Random Ramblings of an Autistic Guy

What a Panic Attack is like for me as someone on the Autism Spectrum. I want you to imagine the most terrified you've ever felt. Maybe at a haunted house? Seeing a large spider? Losing your cellphone? Whatever it is, remember that feeling, how did you feel? Embrace that feeling; now triple it. I had a Panic Attack last week. I honestly can't remember the last time I had one; I think last year? Of course there was a time I used to have them everyday; I don't like to talk about those times. But I'm better now. It was a high anxiety day; a lot of customers (which means crowds and noise), a busy Holiday, and a lot of things to get accomplished in a short amount of time. I also have anxiety working with a coworker (which I'm working through,slowly). On this day I already had two incidents when my anxiety got too high and I had to get talked down. I'm getting better at realising my limits, and not getting embarrassed for asking for help. (Which leads to an ongoing...

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 s...