Aspies For Freedom

I'm looking for folks' experiences with Vocational Rehab.

I've been wanting to look into this, as suggested by many on this forum. But I'm faced with many fears. First fear being to simply pick up the phone and call the place.

But my fear is: what if they can't help me? What if they can't diagnose me? What if they find nothing wrong with me? What if they can't figure out why I can't hold down a job?

Many say vo. rehab will help you find a job that suits your interests, but what if your interests are faaaarrr "out there"? I mean, I have a deep interest in New Age stuff. I doubt they are going to help me find a job as a Tarot reader or Reiki practitioner.

I have an interest in music and writing. But I know if I want a music job I have to find it myself. I place ads everywhere that I'm available for teaching private lessons (I don't want to teach in a classroom) and doing freelance work.

So many questions. So many fears. But is it worth it? If I can get the guts to call that's the first step. In the meantime I think I probably will have to go back to work at Burger King for awhile. Will they still help me even if I have a job?

Great questions! :smile: I am currently a client of the vocational rehab agency in my state.  I don't know what the policies are in Pennsylvania, but as for me, I do have a job that pays well enough for me to live on, and they are helping me anyway!  As for diagnostic work, I already had an ADD diagnosis,  but my Asperger's diagnosis was made by a licensed psychologist at the rehab!  My counselor and I are now working on getting me into a training program, perhaps to learn a skilled trade, and I may even qualify for financial aid.  My advice to you is to make that first call, get an appointment as soon as possible, and tell your counselor everything.  Maybe the rehab can even find you a job that somehow involves your "far out" interests, so do call...you have nothing to lose. :smile:

There was a Tarot for Dummies book at the store

Lol, there's a "dummie" book for everything, isn't there? I've actually been studying Tarot on my own for about 13 years. But I was just giving an example of a "far out" interest.

I just have one silly question, in regards to making that phone call:

What should I say? "Hi, I think I might have AS. Can you help me find a suitable job?"?

I tend to freeze up when making phone calls and with something like this I need to write out what I need to say because when that person on the other end says "hello" I end up going "ummm....uh...".

I would say, "Hi, I think I might have AS, can you do diagnostic testing and help me find a job?" simply because the rehab will probably need to have some diagnosis on record for you before beginning the job-placement process.  If your agency is like mine, you will probably be able to have the testing done right there, just be sure to ask at the start.  Good luck! :smile:

I'm am so frustrated right now.

After a week of "almost" calling the local voc rehab. Dialing some numbers and hanging up. Panic attacks (I have such a phone phobia). Sitting next to the phone and doing nothing...I finally got up the nerve to call only to be told they only deal with workman's compensation. I asked if there is anywhere locally that can give me diagnostic testing and job help. They did give me another number to call (which is in a town about a half hour away). I just don't have the nerve to make more phone calls I feel so upset.

I wonder if there's book about making mannequins yet?

"Dummies for dummies."

Haha...That just put a smile on my face. Thank you.