Job Coach for Autistics

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Hello

I’ve been struggling for a long time with work, keeping jobs and getting jobs. I have a bumpy work history. Recently, I’ve looked into job coaching for autistic people. I found a an organization that helps with career goals, stress management, communication, job search, interview etc. It seems like it could help me get and keep a job

Does anyone have any experience working with this type of job coaching and if so, what did you think of it?

(•) I’ve never worked with a job coach, and I've never needed to.

Sounds like a great idea to me.
Since my emotional dysregulation started causing me issues at work I've been seeing an OT for that and he's been really helpful. A lot of what he does is similar to job coaching. Has been very helpful around how I communicate with my bosses.

Most I've seen cost money which I need said job to get. I went to some events in college, have a consistent myers briggs, etc. They told me what I already knew so...stayed with research, data, and some CIS.

I've had numerous resume reviews and have been told everything is fine.

10 applications, custom resumes, and cover letters a day since February, only 5 interviews, and still no job. At this point I'm wondering if I should simply claim a piece of land as mine and homestead on it. Seems to be the original American way anyway

Yeah that’s my problem right now, I don’t actually have the money because I don’t currently have a job. Similarly to you I’ve been trying to work but apparently I’m not even good enough to work as a cashier because you know, well that takes a master’s degree!

I’m definitely on the verge of just fully checking out of society until I perish. The job coach would be my last ditch effort to try and fit the mold.

Did they help you get a job or you already had the job and you reached out for help keeping the job? Also, what is an OT and how did you get one?

Update for anyone interested in job coaching. I recently reached out to Division of Vocational Rehabilitation Services (DVRS) and got an appointment next month. They provide various employment services for people with disabilities and job coaching was on the list. This service is free and offered by the state.

All states have different processes I imagine but if you want a job coach and don’t have the money DVRS might be able to help. I was able to refer myself and fill out a referral online, they called me with 48 hours to set up the appointment.

I’m really nervous because I’ve some bad experiences with state services in the past but I’ve never done anything like vocational rehab so I’m giving it a shot since I’m desperate to find stable employment. I’ll update this thread with my experience once it’s started.

Sorry OT is an occupational therapist, mine specialises in mental health (and is neurodivergent himself, which is great).
But yes, I already had the job and the OT is helping me to hang onto it (fingers crossed).

I can see there's an issue with not being able to afford a job coach when you really need one - when trying to get a job in the first place. There might be other types of help out there, but I'm not sure.

Yes the vocational rehab might be worth a shot. I wouldn't expect too much as these things tend not to be designed fro autistics specifically - but if they can get you into work you might then be able to afford something better.

I would like to work with a job coach, but it is too much of a hassle to arrange that. Do I have a work handicap? I don't know. Yes, I have ASD, but am I not able to do certain things, for example administrative procedures or tasks? I am not convinced. I have no proof I can. But my boss hasn't any proof I can't. He is hiding something from me. A job coach may likely expose the truth. Is the truth uneasy for him or for me. My boss is dishonest.

I am glad to hear you have gotten an appointment with the DVRS next month. Wishing you luck!

But I do have a carreer coach. I have had several sessions with him. He also had some appointments with my higher boss and the HR manager. After a few sessions he told me that he told my boss there have never been intelligence tests, capability to learn. I my job I learned very little. I have no substantial experience in anything. My bosses told me that I don't show anything of my skills. But if I wanted, they don't allow me. They think that if don't show something, I am not capable of doing that either. That is outright stupid. My bosses think, they are not responsible for sharing knowledge. Nor are they obliged, too. I am the only one.

It reminds me of a scene of Pippi Longstocking and her two friends. She wanted to buy a piano. Tommy and Annika (her friends) told her: "Why would you purchase a piano? You can't play a piano." Pippi: "And what if I try. If I once have a piano, I can try to learn playing it." I have to try something, if I don't try, I won't get experienced. In that why I got very experienced with Excel. There are a lot of things I can learn, and which could be useful later on at home, or at work.

Thank you, and yes I agree my expectations are very low so I don’t get too upset. I have a back up plan if it goes really bad. Luckily, my partner and mom help me financially and they both said I should take a job search break if the DVRS doesn’t work out because I’m not doing well emotionally with all the rejection.

I’m glad your OT is helping you hold on! It’s good to find ways to cope at the same job so if the stressors are reoccurring maybe it can help you hold on. that’s what I need to work on keeping the job lol

That’s really frustrating, it bothers me a lot when I can’t learn on the job. I think too many bosses are like that, the just don’t care if employees grow their knowledge it’s more important just complete tasks.

Last edited by NobodyNothingJr on 03 Nov 2023, 11:10 pm, edited 1 time in total.

Thank you!

I got my confirmation letter today. It has their address, the time and date of my appointment, and the name of the person I’m going to meet with. They asked me to bring my social security card, photo ID if I have one, medical records with names and addresses, and tax form 1040 or unemployment stub if I’ve had any income.

I had a job coaches at a few job sites in my teens, and 20's.

During one job, I had one who seemed really nice in the beginning. However, her claws eventually came out as she was incredibly negative, unprofessional, and unsupportive. Here she is supposed to be trained to teach disabled individuals how to be professional and she was worse than her clients. I eventually got fed up her and requested a different job coach who was much more supportive. He even brought me a booklet about job hunting and creating a resume. He also so nice.

Hey everyone! Just wanted to update for anyone interested in the DVRS process.

Tldr; I have mixed feelings about DVRS, I feel like it’s strange they are right off the bat denying my lived experiences and trying to get me to a psych and therapy when I don’t have any issues that would require mental health treatment. I think advocating for yourself is a must with DVRS or they will gaslight and patronize you into doing what they want. I don’t think I would feel comfortable talking with this woman without my partner present. I’m optimistic that she mentioned supported employment but guarded moving forward.


I went to my first appointment with a woman whose title is vocational rehabilitation counselor 2. From my understanding, there are only two of these counselors on-site. I live in a smaller town so that is probably accurate.

My domestic partner came with me and attended the meeting, as well assisting me in advocating for myself which was extremely helpful.

My initial impression was mixed I felt at times the woman was denying my personal experiences and somewhat patronizing but I also felt she did seem to be a nice person overall and trying her best.

What bothered me the most was my biggest fear lol that my autism diagnosis would come into question as this is a common theme in my life as a female on the spectrum. I’ve been misdiagnosed many times and have a laundry list of diagnosis and traumatizing mental health therapies. So, at this point in my life I have no desire to ever attend any mental health services again due to my very traumatic lived experience.

She also did the “well you seem like your doing fine here with me” well, yes lady I’ve been preparing for this appointment for weeks hence my two page hand written notes I brought along with a full printed excel sheet of my employment history.

She did recommend supported employment services and job coaching which would give me assistance in resume, applying for jobs, and having a job coach with me for the interview process and assistance in communicating what accommodations I would need.


Anyway, I received an official autism diagnosis from Embrace Autism. This diagnosis is legit, performed by licensed qualified professionals and accepted as such by the United States. But, this woman stated her opinion of Embrace Autism is that they’re biased in giving this diagnosis and would like for me to be evaluated by the neuropsychologist that is partnered with DVRS. She also indicated mental health therapy.

Another thing that really bothered me was, she tried to say going to this neuropsychologist will help her understand where I am with math, writing, and reading….like can you not just ask me? I’m of average IQ and can perform basic math, writing, and reading at any job proven by my work history and my ability to communicate said fact. It felt as if my own working experience and knowledge of myself was not being considered as if this 20min NP exam would better be able to explain myself than my own self.

My gut was telling me to speak up and push back on her opinion as her opinion isn’t a fact and in fact, her opinion is biased, imo. But, I didn’t. I said, fine I’ll get the assessment. But as the days went on I just felt like it was unfair for her to push this mental health s**t on me as I’ve been there done that I need help with work and day one we’re already veering off topic. In general, I felt she was veering off topic too much as she would take something I said out of context or flat out misunderstood what I was saying.

So, I emailed her and I said I do not feel comfortable with taking another assessment and I am requesting that my diagnosis and assessment from Embrace Autism be accepted as my diagnosis. She replied that she will respect my wishes but hopes I will reconsider. I won’t.