So. I was on a podcast.

Recently, I was interviewed by former teacher of mine for a podcast. Essentially, the podcast is about my experience with being autistic in a neurotypical world, how the education system is challenging, and how it's difficult to find a job.

You can listen to the podcast here. In fact, please listen to the podcast. There's a lot I have to say that needs to be heard.

What I, as an autistic person, would like employers to know (and do)

I don't have a job. Unlike Morrissey, it's not because I never wanted one. It's because finding a job is an extremely difficult process when you have no experience, no college degree, and perhaps most of all, when you have autism.
Although I can't speak for every autistic person, I will share what I personally think would really help me at least:

1. I am a very literal thinker. Once, I was at a job interview, and I was asked if I would be willing to work weekends. My response was, "yes, but not every weekend." What I meant by this was not "I want to have weekends off frequently," but rather "I may want to take a day off on a Saturday or Sunday once in a while." Of course my comment was interpreted incorrectly. Whatever you do, please understand that we may think very literally. If someone says something during a job interview that makes it sound like they aren't fit for the job, ask for clarification. If and when you do hire the person, please be very clear about the directions.
2. I really shouldn't work in customer service. As someone who is not only autistic, but also has anxiety and depression, social interactions can be difficult for me. I understand that most jobs require some interaction with humans, and I accept that. However, there is a difference between interacting with your boss and/or coworkers, and interacting with a complete stranger. This is especially true when a complete stranger is yelling at you, which often happens to people in customer service. If Janet yells at me because her expired coupon isn't working, I would not respond well. Telling her to eff off would be the best case scenario, and it would still get me fired.
3. Please be tactful. If I do a bad job at something, there are ways you can tell me without yelling at me and making me feel like an idiot. I will respond better to, "I think you should work a little on ___," than I will to, "I told you to ___, and you didn't do it correctly." Good thing I live in America, though. From what I've learned taking foreign language classes, people are a lot more blunt in Europe (at least in France and Germany). It took me years to practice tact. If you expect it from me, it's only fair that you are tactful, too.
4. I am trying my best. I will make mistakes. It's part of being human. But that doesn't mean I'm not trying. Unfortunately, lots of people interpret "I'll try" to mean "I probably won't do it." That's not what I mean. Usually I will, sometimes I won't, but that doesn't mean I'm not trying.

As of right now, that is all I can think of, but there's probably way more that I'm forgetting.

Direct quotes from hypocrites

"I hope that the next generation gets to live the life they choose regardless of their gender." --Cecile Richards, advocate for legal abortion in any case, including sex-linked abortions 

 

"From pacifist to terrorist, each person condemns violence, and then adds one cherished case in which it may be justified." --Gloria Steinem, abortion advocate 

 

"Words matter. When we dehumanize people... we make it easier for others to do them harm." --Jessica Valenti, abortion advocate 

 

"We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness." --United States Declaration of Independence, written by Thomas Jefferson, who owned slaves and abused them 

 

"There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus." --Galatians 3:28, written by the apostle Paul, who also said women should be silent in church

 

"No one is pro-abortion." --Former president Barack Obama, the guy who thinks people should be forced to pay for abortions 

 

"I think when you spread the wealth around it's good for everybody." --Former president Barack Obama, a rich guy 

 

"The liberals think government exists to fix what's wrong with America. They find fault with our Constitution, our economic model and our core values. We disagree with the premise of their argument. We believe there's nothing wrong with America that an extra dose of freedom won't cure." --Rick Perry, a guy who abused his power while in office and supported sodomy laws 

 

"I do care about not 99 percent or 95 percent. I care about the very rich and the very poor. I care about 100 percent of America." --Rick Santorum, a guy who has said a lot of bigoted things that prove he cares more about some Americans than others

 

"People of faith, people of no faith, people of different faith, that's what America is all about; it's bringing that diversity into and challenge of the different ideas that motivate people in our country. That's what makes America work." --That same Rick Santorum guy 

 

"We know that dictators are quick to choose aggression, while free nations strive to resolve differences in peace." --George W. Bush, a former president who started unjust wars

"We have to make sure we’re... protecting the well-being of women and children in our cities." --Josh Duggar, a misogynistic child molester 

 

"It's easy to laugh, it's easy to hate, it takes guts to be gentle and kind." --Morrissey, a tool (despite being talented and one of my favorite male vocalists) 

 

"Did I feel sad [about the abortion]? Yes. Do I regret it? No! Because I know that the spirit I named Mariah will go on to a woman who is ready for her." --Mary Walling Blackburn, supporter of the secular, science-based pro-choice movement