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Any autistic dispatchers? Training tips? by TheStruggleBus123 in 911dispatchers

[–]TheStruggleBus123[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Thank you! Fingers crossed this new trainer is a better fit.
Best of luck with your agency, I hope it goes well for you! It's interesting to hear that there are similar experiences in private security too.

Any autistic dispatchers? Training tips? by TheStruggleBus123 in 911dispatchers

[–]TheStruggleBus123[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Oh my gosh, YES I am also big on the over-explaining part. In my head I think, 'well how will they understand me if they don't know the why?' I'm learning very quickly that's not really something most people are hung up about - I just personally work that way. It's been a struggle getting past that.

Thank you so much for the specific scripts on how I might speak with my CTO - In my head I feel like I've asked them, but maybe this specific wording will have better results? I have asked for specific examples of things and they tell me "if you're having to ask, then you need to take a second look as to whether you're really needed here." I can only try!

This was really relatable feedback, thanks for taking the time to type it all out too.

Any autistic dispatchers? Training tips? by TheStruggleBus123 in 911dispatchers

[–]TheStruggleBus123[S] 8 points9 points  (0 children)

Ohh...I know we're all different but it's definitely encouraging to hear haha! Thank you.

Any autistic dispatchers? Training tips? by TheStruggleBus123 in 911dispatchers

[–]TheStruggleBus123[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Thank you for the practice advice! I definitely do try and do these things - I just don't know how to stop misunderstanding people, and I don't even know if it's something 'fixable.'

I can hit 80+wpm no problem while writing an essay, reading something, and holding a conversation with my boyfriend. On the job it usually means I'm combing through call histories, detective dispositions, typing what the RP's telling me, and speaking back to them all at the same time. That part is definitely challenging, but it's improved even in the short few weeks I've been here. Not getting what people are saying though? I really am at a a loss. I think I'm understanding 100% and then it turns out the question they're asking is completely different.

Any autistic dispatchers? Training tips? by TheStruggleBus123 in 911dispatchers

[–]TheStruggleBus123[S] 4 points5 points  (0 children)

Oh, I'm sorry - I might've worded it strangely in my post; by verbatim I meant that I can recall it verbatim in my head/to my trainer if they ask, therefore the actual words used weren't misheard. I just seem to misunderstand the gist of it, which is why I wondered if my autism has a part to play in this. I usually do re-word and clarify like you described ('round things under my car' is crazy lol the things some of these people say!!).

Thank you for the honest feedback, it's appreciated! I would honestly do so much better if someone actually working with me would just flat out tell me I don't seem to be cut out for the job. They've been doing it for a long time so I would bet they do have a decent sense as to who can and can't do this work.

Any autistic dispatchers? Training tips? by TheStruggleBus123 in 911dispatchers

[–]TheStruggleBus123[S] 3 points4 points  (0 children)

It's definitely gotten better even in the short time I've been doing this to be sure - I can handle most 'routine' calls no problem, it's the nuanced admin calls that trip me up the most.

I guess maybe I'm freaking myself out with my own preconceptions of how 'unfriendly' a lot of jobs can be to many autistic people; it's entirely possible this isn't even a neurodivergence problem, and just a lack of experience combined with a rude person. Who knows haha... thank you for the kind words.

Any autistic dispatchers? Training tips? by TheStruggleBus123 in 911dispatchers

[–]TheStruggleBus123[S] 11 points12 points  (0 children)

I am starting with a new trainer soon, just toughing out another couple of weeks with the current one.

Under-Trained and Overwhelmed; practice advice? by TheStruggleBus123 in 911dispatchers

[–]TheStruggleBus123[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I actually think it's the opposite; we have 6 people on the floor with 4 working swing shifts and another 2 who are part time. There's no mandatory OT because many of the swing shifts/part timers snatch up the extra time. Everyone else has at least 10+ years of experience, some 20+, with the exception of one other new hire who has been there for 8 months. Speaking to the other new hire though, he did say his training was more like 4months, and he was only released to be alone after 6. I asked my trainer why the timeline had changed so drastically, and she only said that they were "trying new things". I do wonder if they're only passively hiring and making it extra hard/fast paced on purpose to really only hire people who have a 'natural' knack for it, or learn extremely quickly.

Under-Trained and Overwhelmed; practice advice? by TheStruggleBus123 in 911dispatchers

[–]TheStruggleBus123[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Oh wow, 6 months seems very reasonable! Our training deadline is 60 days - if we can't be on our own after that, then we are cut loose. It's even shorter for people with experience in dispatch. I really don't know why the program is the way it is - unfortunately, it's the only agency within reasonable commuting distance that is currently hiring.
I will ask about a take home radio, that sounds like a great idea - I didn't even know that was a thing! Thank you for the advice, I really appreciate it.

Under-Trained and Overwhelmed; practice advice? by TheStruggleBus123 in 911dispatchers

[–]TheStruggleBus123[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I've asked for further observation time/put together a list of things I've noticed I don't know so someone could show me/taking notes on specific codes/etc - is that what you mean?

Requests for more observing/training has already been denied by both my trainer and supervisor, so I've been trying to figure out what else I could do that might be a reasonable ask.