The “Right Supports” & What They Made Possible

Even before I was diagnosed with Asperger’s Syndrome (AS) at the age of 11, it was clear that I needed help with many areas of everyday functioning (including learning and social skills/etiquette).  However, it was quite difficult to determine exactly what type(s) of assistance I required without at least having a name for the source of my challenges.  Getting my diagnosis not only explained a lot of things I struggled with, but it made it easier to figure out specifically what support I would most benefit from.

Educational

Shortly after my diagnosis, I was connected with a school counsellor who, I truly believe, “set the foundation” for positive change.  She helped me understand how making good choices would ultimately lead to a better life.  Realizing that I had options was personally empowering and inspired me to want to improve rather than feel like I had to.  She advised me on and encouraged appropriate behaviour without criticizing or shaming me.  She also assisted me with making a smooth transition from elementary to high school by teaching and reinforcing the necessary social skills and getting me enrolled in an alternate program.

Starting high school in an alternate program turned out to be ideal for me.  Not only did it allow me to learn and work at my own pace, but I ended up graduating a year early.  My high school counsellor provided personal and academic support, helping me transition from the alternate program to mainstream classes.  She assisted me with course selection and arranging any necessary accommodations such as additional time on exams.  She also educated my teachers and classmates about Asperger’s Syndrome and what it entailed.

When I was 16, I was introduced to an amazing psychologist who provided additional support in high school and helped me tremendously with my transition to college and adulthood.  As I approached [high school] graduation, she suggested a great vocational diploma program (Work Place Skills Training) offered by a college about an hour away from where I lived.  However, funding was required to allow me to participate in the program and have a place to live in the meantime.  The biggest obstacle was qualifying for services (along with funding) as an adult, which I would legally become at the age of 19.  In 2000 (the year I graduated from high school), a diagnostic label determined whether or not I qualified – if it was autism, I did; if it was Asperger’s, I didn’t.  Since I was diagnosed with Asperger’s, my psychologist decided to do a thorough reassessment to change the label to autism.  After collaborating with a couple of other specialists to reach an agreement, the label was successfully changed, making it possible to get the assistance I needed.

From there, I enrolled in the Work Place Skills Training program to start in September.  I moved out that summer to room and board with a family for the program’s 2-year duration.  This program taught me valuable employability skills I didn’t learn in high school (aside from a couple of “Career & Personal Planning” courses that seemed more like a review in comparison), with a combination of classes and work experience trials.  My psychologist continued to support me and helped me qualify for financial assistance (including affordable housing) when I reached adulthood.  Since I also wanted to move to Vancouver, BC (about six hours away) after I finished the program, she suggested the possibility of continuing my education to make moving there easier.  I agreed to this and she helped me choose a college (along with a program) in the area.  She managed to secure funding for this as well.

The summer after I graduated from the Work Place Skills Training program, I went to Vancouver to visit my dad and look for a place to rent that was within my means.  Luckily, I found a basement suite I could afford, and I moved in a couple of weeks later.  I was also fortunate enough to have family nearby to help me adjust and prepare to start school at my new college.  Meanwhile, I kept in touch with my psychologist (and still do to this day).

I started the Office Administration certificate program at Douglas College in 2002 and completed it in 2004.  The accommodations I received throughout were similar to what I got in high school, with a couple of exceptions – a note-taker was assigned to me for class lectures (I found it hard to focus on what was discussed while writing it down), and I had a vocational counsellor assist me with finding a place to do my practicum (which was also modified from a 3-week, full-time placement to a 6-week, part-time one).  Although the counsellor did help me with my transition from college to employment, I required more comprehensive support in that area than she could provide.  

Employment

I graduated from college and began my job search.  I found it very difficult, especially the interview process.  Over the next few years, I went to several [specialized] employment agencies/programs, desperately trying to find a place that could (and would) offer the help I needed.   During this time, I did some volunteer work and occasionally had paid work experiences, but I was yet to attain a steady [paid] position.  On the upside, my dad helped me create a great “disclosure statement” for a cover letter that was honest, yet positive; I found a 2-page “Asperger’s Syndrome Employer’s Guide” that was an excellent resource for educating [potential] employers, and I got to move into an even better, less expensive place.   

In 2006, I worked for Canada Post as a Christmas Casual.  I told a coworker there that I was a person with a disability who was looking for work, and she suggested an agency called Polaris Employment Services.  After my casual position ended, I called Polaris and the person I spoke to recommended PACT Employment Services (Coast Mental Health).  I figured I should at least give them a call, especially considering how discouraged and frustrated I felt by then (I had also received a painful rejection letter from Canada Post).  Making that call [to PACT] turned out to be one of the best moves I ever made.

PACT offered me exactly what I needed to finally make that strong entry into the workforce: a 4-month paid internship at The Personnel Department (TPD), where I assisted the staff with various office tasks.  Since TPD happened to be a staffing agency, I signed up for their services (temporary and permanent work placements) after my internship ended.

Immediately following my internship, I was placed temporarily with a great company for a couple of months to assist with the cheque processing.  When my placement ended, I expressed my interest in working there again in the future.  Shortly afterwards, I got a call from the HR Manager to come in for a brief interview.  She told me that she created a position for me as an Office Assistant, and I was hired in October 2007.  I worked there on a full-time basis for almost three years.  During that time, I performed general office duties such as data entry, correspondence, typing and editing documents, and balancing funds received against the outgoing deposit.  I enjoyed working there – the people I worked with were very friendly, supportive, and accommodating.  I was allowed to progress at my own pace and wasn’t expected to take on more than I could handle.  Sadly, I was laid off in June 2010. 

After my layoff, I called PACT Employment Services since it was where I finally got the assistance I needed to [officially] enter the workforce.   I needed more support than PACT could provide (the internship I did was a pilot project that just happened to come up at that time), so I was referred to another employment program.  A couple of months later, my contact at PACT told me that a part-time filing position became available in Coast Mental Health’s accounting department.  She had me meet with the HR Department to discuss this, and I was hired in September 2010.

Meanwhile, I continued my search for another part-time job (to have full-time work).  I  found it very hard, and it took me over a year after I was laid off to find one (my EI had also expired by that time).  That job (as a CSR at The Brick) turned out not to be a good fit for me, and I was let go after my 3-month probationary period.  I was struggling to keep up with the demands of the CSR position (the fast pace, “thinking on my feet”, multitasking, etc.).

Thankfully, I still had my part-time position with Coast Mental Health.  I resumed my search for an additional part-time job, on my own and with the help of an employment counsellor.  Several months later, I found a great part-time job as a Data Entry/Filing Clerk, which I had for nearly three years (until the office closed down). 

For the next year and a half, I supported myself with a combination of my part-time job at Coast Mental Health, EI, temp work, and odd jobs.  At the same time, I kept looking for an additional [steady] part-time job (both on my own and with a job coach). 

In the fall of 2016, I came across a job ad in a newspaper for Bed Bath & Beyond, hiring temporary staff to help out with a store opening.  There was also a possibility of being hired on permanently.  I applied and got hired – first temporarily to open the store, then permanently to work part-time in Receiving (which I have been since, in addition to my part-time job at Coast Mental Health).

Having steady, full-time employment made it possible for me to achieve personal independence and self-sufficiency, which also boosted my confidence and self-esteem.  It allowed me the financial freedom to create a better reality (for instance, I could finally get much-needed dental work).  For me, finding vocational opportunities was the result of a combination of luck (the right person, workplace “fit”, etc. at the right time) and hard work (determination and persistence).  I am truly grateful for the jobs I have and the support I received to attain them. 

General Life Skills

I needed one more thing to complete my “support system” – a Life Skills Worker.  Although this was something I would have benefitted from a long time ago, it didn’t occur until I struggled with a shopping addiction (along with the resulting debt and clutter).  At that point, I reached out to my former psychologist, who helped me get approved for further services.  From there, I was referred to an organization that provided Life Skills Workers.  

Each worker I was connected with over the past several years was unique and had something valuable to offer.  Some of the things they assist(ed) me with include(ed):

• Creating a healthy “balance” in my life (including positive relationships)
• Assertiveness and setting boundaries
• Making wise decisions
• Planning, goal-setting, and prioritizing
• Managing time, stress and money (budgeting)
• Decluttering, organizing, and maintaining my home
• Offering advice and motivation when I needed it

When I finally landed my first full-time job, I enjoyed the work and [improved] lifestyle it allowed me.  While I sometimes got carried away with my newfound [financial] privileges, my shopping steadily became more excessive after I was laid off (which was a major setback).  On that note, I greatly appreciate the support I received(ed) from my Life Skills Worker(s) around learning from and (literally) paying for my mistakes.  

Conclusion

Getting the right support made a huge difference for me, contributing to a better outcome.  I don’t know what (nor how) I would have done without it, and I am very thankful for all the people in my life who help(ed) make it happen.