Aspies in "caring" professions

[BaffledOwl1970]

Hi all - I am due to start work in a fortnight's time at a local care home for people with Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, Huntington's, etc, as an activities assistant. My role may involve a limited amount of care work. This may seem strange but health issues interest me and I need to have a job. The manager is aware of my AS and asked what support I'd need - I said as long as I had thorough training and instructions were clear everything should be fine. My disability advisor said she'd support me but I'm hoping not to need her. I'm wondering if there were any Aspies here who'd done similar work and how they'd managed it. All the best.

[Tanya52]

Hi,

 

The best of luck with your new employment. I made a few notes and hope it all make sense.

 

I used to work in a nursing home where we had a few patience with Alzheimer's. My concern was not so much about the residents’ behavior but the staff members morale and attitude to the job. From my point of view some of them had very insufficient training and poor working ethics.

 

I observed that some of my colleagues, care assistants, sometimes cut corners:

- in one occasion I found our team leader and her friend were chatting in a bathroom for over 45 min when they should have been assisting residents

- some of the residents were not dressed appropriately which cased them distress

- one disable lady-resident made a habit to slap in the face new care assistants which caused them distress

-once she wheeled her wheelchair over my foot and she seemed enjoyed that, so I had to watch her if I didn’t want to be hurt

- such a behavior was not controlled even if addressed and there wasn’t any good strategy/advice on how to handle patients with challenging/aggressive behavior

- some of the patients went bananas without stimulating activities and their anxiety were quite stressful to observe

 

If I were in your shoes I would ask for a mentorship scheme to support me.

Perhaps you’d find useful to record your observations in a diary.

[bid]

Hi BaffledOwl

 

I have worked for 6 1/2 years at a residential school for children with complex health needs and a range of severe learning difficulties.

 

For the first two years I worked part-time as day staff on the residential home units. I have always loved my job, but did find being day staff extremely tiring. I found the unstructured times very difficult, and often things could be very noisy.

 

After two years I changed to work full-time as waking night staff, and I have really found my niche. We have a very clear structure and routine to the night, and it is much quieter. Although I have to deal with emergency situations (most of the young people I work with have severe epilepsy and we are trained to give emergency medication), there is a nurse sleeping in who I can call if I'm worried. Plus, the clear structure and less noise means I have the emotional and intellectual resources to be able to respond with initiative to difficult situations. During the day I was expending all my energy on coping with the lack of structute and the noise.

 

One bit of advice I would give is that you need to be prepared to think and act flexibly. In difficult/emergency situations, it's not always possible to do everything according to the usual routine or plan.

 

Best of luck,

 

Bid

Edited June 22, 2011 by bid

[lisac]

Warms the heart to hear from people that care

[bid]

Warms the heart to hear from people that care

Thank you Lisa

 

I have to say I really love my job, work with some wonderful young people and lead a really fab team of colleagues. I look forward to going in to work (mostly ) and feel very lucky to work where I do.

 

Bid

Edited June 22, 2011 by bid

[chris54]

Iv worked in care of one sort or another for the last 13 years. The last 2 working in a care home for adults mainly with autism.

Its just a shame that society as a whole doesn't value our work. One of the main reasons people leave is the low pay. My employer is teetering on the edge of solvency as it is and is being told by the LA that the fees are being cut. Not sure Ill have a job this time next year.

[BaffledOwl1970]

Hi all - thanks to everyone who's posted. Fortunately I can be quite flexible - my main concern is interacting with residents and staff. I'm quite looking forward to it. I have spoken to my disability advisor and she said she'd happily give me in-work support if I need it. All the best

[Alma]

Hey - very good luck in your job. My stepson is nearly 15 with AS and although he has loads of difficulties, he is wonderful when he visits the residential home where my mother lives. He is really kind and patient with the residents, many of whom have dementia and I had wondered if there may be a future role for him somewhere like that. I hope it goes really well for you.

[BaffledOwl1970]

Hi all - I'm really enjoying working at the home. The bad bits are really bad but the good bits are fantastic. The management is shambolic, but most of the staff do their best.

 

I was worried that I'd have interaction issues with the residents, but that's largely been OK (I do sometimes with some of the staff though). I was puzzled about this, and have concluded that I am comfortable interacting with people who don't interact in "normal" ways. The average neurotypical baffles me, but people who have communication issues or use alternative methods make sense.

 

I'm considering looking to gain relevant qualifications, specialising in dementia care, but we'll see.

[Chris P]

Really good to hear that you are doing so well. I guess I'm in a caring profession - 34 years Before he Mast as a C of E minister. Like you, I find the so-called 'normal' people difficult at times, but I feel I am valued by others for not getting too emotional in situations, and for being good with people 'on the fringe' e.g. AS, mental illnesses, etc. I do find the job tiring, but I think some of that is to do with lack of structures, and lack of clarity in terms of what is expected of me.

 

The C of E hasn't really known what to make of having an AS minister, and I am being retired on health grounds this summer. That will enable me to get rid of some of the more stressful stuff, and to spend more time doing what I think really matters. I'd always encourage people to do further qualifications, but I think it is especially important for us with AS as it bolsters our confidence (and the confidence of others) that we can do a good job.

[spam390]

Hi,

 

Your experiences interacting with the residents as opposed to the staff is exactly what happened to me.

 

I am a paediatric nurse (and have been for 15yrs or so ), and I have never had any difficulty with the patients or their parents for the following reasons-

 

the kids speak their mind

the kids are honest about EVERYTHING (feelings, fears etc)

the parents really appreciate being told what's happening and don't care about 'niceties' at the time

they all like having someone 'in control' who tells them the truth

I am not 'wary' of upsetting doctors and so 'speak up' for my patients rights and feelings

I have never been intimidated by my superiors and have no problem telling them when they're wrong

 

I have always been very popular with patients and parents (they often 'insist' on me being their nurse, and I often get gifts specially for me only - i.e. box of sweets for 'staff' and separate box for me)

 

Staff, however, are a different kettle of fish !

With them I am UNPOPULAR because-

 

I don't engage in 'chit chat', especially if there is work to be done

I don't spend my breaks with them (if I promised a kid I would play a game and haven't had time I will do it in my break instead cos a promise is a promise!, and if I haven't then I'd rather be alone.

I am quick to point out if something hasen't been done or done incorrectly

I can't be swayed by persuasion or emotional tactics by staff (saying they needed a break cos they felt faint only resulted in my taking a blood sugar reading and me telling them they were fine!)

I ask 'uncomfortable' questions if someone phones in 'sick' (so no-one does it now when I'm in )

 

Basically I don't conform ! There's a shock eh ??

 

However i have had an excellent carreer in something I love, and have never had any difficulty being promoted due to my work 'ethic'. Eventually everyone just said things like 'she's strict' or 'watch out she's coming' cos I was the boss, but since no-one expects to be 'friends' with the boss no-one thought I was 'strange' anymore.

 

So if you enjoy your job and you have no difficulties coping with the clients then there is no reason why this couldn't be the perfect job for you ! Don't let any difficulties with staff communication deter you !

 

Good Luck !

[dekra]

I am not AS but I do have certain AS-type traits that as I have grown I have learnt to deal with. For example, I am socially inept, I have very few friends and find it hard to have a conversation with people. As a child I was the loner - not by choice but because I just didn't fit in anywhere. I tend to be obsesive about hobbies and interests etc. I am about to start my nursing training in Sept and at times feel physically sick at the idea of meeting so many new people and venturing into placements with staff and patients who I have to interact with. But true to my obsessive nature I am not going to let this get in the way of doing something I really want to. As an adult I have learnt to accept I don't have friends (my wonderful hubby is my best friend) and all I need conversation for is to get by and as long as I manage to convey my needs and can manage some general unimportant "chit-chat" I get by. I am guessing here but my social inadequeces are similar to AS but as an AS sufferer you will have this 10 time worse plus other stuff I don't even know about. All I can suggest is that as you obviously are aware of your limitations to try coping strategies that will prepare you for some basic things. It's a cliche (sp?) but talk about the weather, ask after families and ask about holidays etc. All that rubbish the hairdresser drives me nuts babbling on about lol. When certain things don't come naturally use these simple "tools" to help you out.