Do you want to know the worst jobs for autistic adults? Then this post is for you. Keep reading!
Maybe you have autism, so finding a job can be difficult. Just the interview process can be a hurdle that is not designed to enable autistic adults to demonstrate their strengths.
Also, when you get the job the company’s culture, work environment or direct supervisor may not accommodate what you need to be successful.
Furthermore, jobs are better suited for autistic adults than others, unfortunately, few workplaces are truly autism-friendly. So, what are the worst jobs for autistic adults? Here are a few tips on what sorts of jobs to look for instead.
READ MORE: 8 Worst Jobs for Autistic Adults
8 Worst Jobs For Autistic Adults
The following is the list of the worst jobs for people with autism which include those with high-functioning autism which is also called Asperger’s syndrome.
Some of these jobs will require short-term memory or working memory and can cause high levels of stress or information overload.
Moreover, if you want to learn about this condition and how to implement effective strategies to improve their quality of life, you can check the Best Books for High Functioning Autism.
Also, some jobs can even require a theory of mind, the ability to understand mental states like beliefs, desires of oneself, and others or executive functioning.
1. Food Server
This job requires people to take care of diverse customers at once. It banks on short-term memory to keep track of orders and requests from several tables simultaneously. Also, people with autism can find this challenging and can even cause sensory overload.
2. Air Traffic Controller
The primary downside of the job for people with ASD is information overload and stress.
Moreover, the job entails extended working hours, emergencies, unpredictable weather conditions and high traffic levels. These factors make this job not suitable.
3. Receptionist
Being a receptionist involves incredible organization and multi-tasking skills. They have fast-paced environments, and the massive pile of paperwork can take a toll on people with autism.
READ MORE: 10 Best Online Jobs For Autistic Adults
4. Social Service Agent
The job is described to be one of the worst for people with autism. There are high levels of interaction and excessive paperwork, both of which can make the job difficult.
5. Professional Poker Player
Poker entails other people’s emotional states and decoding the difference between what they are emoting and what they are. Moreover, it has a great deal of attention to detail in expressions to tell if the person is bluffing or not.
6. Salesperson
Sales involve high levels of interaction to engage in small talk and potential customers from various backgrounds. Also, the salesperson must know when to be persuasive and when to withdraw and learn to sell the product authentically. They can expect a lot of internal politics as well. These factors can make the job a lousy fit.
7. Politician
Generally, politics involves being able to decode diverse conflicting and sometimes hidden motives. It requires high levels of emotional intelligence, theory of mind, and juggling irrational concepts and ideas. All of these requisites make this an unideal option for people on the spectrum.
8. Military Service
Military service is another job that can be difficult for autistic adults if they have trouble for autistic adults if they have trouble socializing and working within groups.
Additionally, the military requires individuals to complete tasks that can be challenging from the sensory perspective such as going into combat zones.
The military has begun to recognize, however, that some people on the spectrum are highly skilled at tasks that are critical like operating technology reading satellite images and noticing differences.
Things To Look For While Choosing a Career For People With Autism
Being on this spectrum can be difficult in many ways. It is difficult for neurotypical individuals to find a promising career. Therefore, an individual with a disability like autism can experience even more problems.
Several things can be an obstacle when choosing a career, which is:
- Sensory overload
- Inadequate development of language
- Need for order
- Inadequate social skills
- Difficulty expressing emotions
- Problem managing in large crowds or even agoraphobia (fear of open spaces ) and
- Improper mental transition into adulthood.
People on the higher end of the spectrum have better social skills and are more likely to find a job and grow in one. Generally, problems surround most of them not having transitioned to adulthood properly.
However, there is good news, half of all young adults across the spectrum have worked outside of the home.
Most parents of people with autism report feeling terrible when their children exit high school due to the lack of opportunities as they enter adulthood.
Despite there not being many options the few existing ones can be a gateway for people on the spectrum to succeed in their professional and consequently, personal lives.
Some tips for people with autism:
- To have a work portfolio to sell their work even if they have challenges selling their personality.
- To find a job that has a well-defined goals and
- To make sure the boss recognizes and is considerate of their social limitations.
- People on the more functional end of the spectrum should choose to major in the area that makes finding a job easier.
Alternative Job Options For People with Autism
Here are some alternative job options for people with autism.
For Visual Thinkers
- Commercial Art
- Laboratory Technician
- Animal Trainer
- Building or Factory Maintenance
- A Webpage or Video Game Designer.
For Non-Visual Thinkers
- Accountant
- Engineer
- Journalist
- Taxi Driver
- Computer Programmer
- Mathematician or Statistician.
For Non-verbal people with Autism
- Gardner
- Library Clerk
- Janitor
- Warehouse Clerk
- Data Entry Assistant.
READ MORE: The 5 Best and Worst Jobs for Autistic People (with 5 Myths to Explain Why)
Conclusion
The most vital thing to remember when seeking a job is that there are no jobs that are truly off the table for people with autism. While one autistic adult may find success in one type of role another might thrive in a completely different setting. Therefore, it is vital to consider your unique strengths, weaknesses and preferences as you’re planning for an exciting, lucrative and rewarding career.
