Aspies For Freedom

I live in New York State and am considering trying the vocational rehabilitation route again. I am a 46-year-old who has a deplorably sketchy employment history. I have done a lot of volunteer work through the years but have even had difficulty finding that lately. I have had to resort to my writing projects (and the occasional theater group) to keep busy in recent years.

The problem is, the last time I tried vocational "rehabilitation" (eight and a half years ago), my counselor was very negative and condescending. He disgregarded my vocational goals--I had two back-up plans, in case he did not like my original idea. Not surprisingly, he said NO to everything.

He had me assessed for my strengths and implied that the agency would find me a job that suited my abilities. When the results of the testing came back, it was found that my strengths were in verbal and numerical fields, while my weaknesses were in mechanical/manual dexterity. He turned my strengths against me, saying, "Your abilities are great, but your performance (job success) is so poor. What is your problem?" He then said that I needed to improve my "people skills," but his agency would be unable to help me with that. He completely ignored my extensive volunteer work history, acting as though I was a lazy bum, which I am not. He referred me to another agency, Community Options, where one person was equally condescending. Her patronizing attitude was very discouraging. After February 2000 I never went back.

The vocational "rehabilitation" programs are sadly lacking in our bureaucratic state for individuals with Asperger's. I could benefit greatly from a job coach, but I will have to endure six to nine months of red tape if I went through this agency again.

The Dept. of Special Needs here is mediocre at best. I wasted a year waiting for one job coach (who was clueless about HFA) to find a meaningful TINY (1-2 hr/week) paying or non-paying, pref. paying, job or volunteer job for my daughter. I mistakenly felt that an official agency could open doors I could not.

Like school shrinks, the best ones follow the money and the money is NOT at these gov'tal bureaucracies.

I do recall us having the option of using a different (you select from a list I think) counselor or advocate if we felt the one assigned us was bad, but we never used this option. Check that out.

Perhaps your family or friends know someone who is prominent in the area that could advocate for you, open doors for you. good luck!

Dang, Bobbo, your counselor was an <orifice central to the gluteus maximus>.

If you get a counselor that is so negative, just request a different counselor.  Even if the counselor seems kind enough but there is a personality conflict, request a different counselor. I am probably giving advice that I have trouble heeding myself ... never want to make waves .... but just do it.

Most of the government run disability employment offices are only effective at getting employment for people with visible physical disabilities (people in wheelchairs).  I have to even suppose that convicted criminals have an easier time getting work than older adults with aspergers.  

However, if offered retraining, please try it.  You might have to check what training is being offered.  Some six week course is not going to get you a job and a two month trial job (arranged by them) is not going to get you permanent employment.  Many of these people are contracted out to the government and just really making money for themselves.  Some agencies like Goodwill or Salvation army running programmes might be more successful.  There also may be a limited number of training courses available and none that you have interest in.  I had a friend with schizophrenia who was being pushed into an accounting course, make to "volunteer" in a nursing home until she could get a permanent disability pension.  But there could be something that you have an interest/ability in.  Avoid any self employment options unless you have contacts for future business.  Often becoming self-employed disqualifies a person from receiving certain social services.  

If you have an official diagnosis, then present that.  More people are becoming aware, or should be aware of other types of disabilities (sorry, I had using that term).

My VR in WV was nice and well-intended and even sent me a goodbye check for 1st month's rent but did not have the resources of MD VR (6 months training in computer programming).

I had already applied for jobs by the time WV VR told me of them.  (Already saw that!)

Perhaps they do not know what to make of many Aspies, especially the well educated ones (I learned I was Aspie shortly before I had my Master's).

It makes it tricky because we are not necessarily disadvantaged financially (although it is not uncommon for Aspies to be so) but have difficulties in accessing things that others often take for granted such as jobs and housing.