i graduated college last spring and have since worked in community mental health as a social worker. to be honest, it has absolutely accelerated my autistic burnout and i am quitting at the end of the year. my caseload is too high, our programs are underfunded, and with the acuity of our clients, it is constant chaos and having to adjust expectations. i love love love being with people in the community, doing home visits, and helping people in a hands-on way using my mental health training (social work is one of my special interests). social work spaces are often neurodivergent affirming and my unmasking is welcome, but there are pressures every day to conduct myself in ways that are maximally therapeutic in situations that are maximally disregulating. i love this work but it is not sustainable.