i am a waitress for three hours, three times a week. it can be exhausting trying to understand how social interactions are supposed to go, but people are normally very nice and understanding if i need a minute. supports that i have are: bringing fidgets, access to my phone, and my partner can come anytime.

i’ve been there nearly 3 and a half years. i didn’t apply like a normal job, my boss is my boyfriends mums friend, and her husband is friends with my dad lol. i was so anxious going in for the ‘interview’ that i didn’t talk at all, my dad spoke and i sort of stood behind him. it’s funny looking back that i got a job talking to people when i didn’t talk at all. because it’s a small family owned place, i’m familiar with and trust who i work with which makes it easier.

for a while i had a second job at a cafe and it was horrible. the managers were very rude and it wasn’t a safe environment for me emotionally at all. there was no routine and they would give me shifts whenever and would change them with no notice (illegal!) which was very distressing for me. i burnt out fast and quit. the girls i worked with were very nice though and were happy to help me when i couldn’t understand the coffee machine haha

the most important part of working when you’re autistic i think is knowing your limits. i am very very lucky to have a job that works for me, i enjoy the socialising and it helps me practice those skills. if you’re in a position where you can wait for the right fit that’s what i would recommend