Written by Ocean*
With less financial stability and resources, we’re less likely to experience the benefits of financial independence: autonomy over our lives, safety to leave unhealthy relationships or housing, and materialising life goals like pet ownership, having children, having a car, or purchasing property.
Here are my thoughts on some causes and solutions, informed by my life experiences as a mostly verbal, late-diagnosed, high-masking and highly educated Autistic.
I’ve experienced burnout from working office jobs, which often clash with my access needs despite any adjustments I might negotiate. For example, there’s usually fluorescent lighting which is unbearable for my sensory sensitivities. There’s also the allistic communication norms and unspoken social rules of office culture which, to me, can almost feel like an Olympic sport to try and navigate.
I’ve learned that trying to do my best to ‘fit in’ and keep up with these standards is exhausting. However, unmasking in these environments for the benefit of my own mental health and sustainability, identifies me as ‘different,’ which – unacceptably – comes with the risk of being targeted for judgement, ostracism, bullying, or discrimination.
It’s important to remember that while people may first contemplate what Autistic people need to do differently for better employment prospects, a considerable proportion of us experience employment issues because of discrimination.
The social model of disability resonates strongly for me here. Unlike the medical model, it proposes that people don’t necessarily experience disability because of some inherent internal ‘deficit’. Rather, the attitudes and environments created by society cause disabling impacts.
For example, if a wheelchair user can’t access a building with only stairs, they’re excluded because of a human design choice. Likewise, I am disabled from environments with inaccessible and inflexible sensory, communication, and social norms.
Recently I’ve been learning music skills, and I had a profound moment during a live gig where I thought, ‘I’m having so much fun – I can’t believe I’m being paid for this!’ Compared to less accessible work I’ve done, I thought it’d be amazing if I could make a living from this deeply enjoyable work. I’m now in a pivot in my career where I’m studying music (a special interest), and I hope to sustain myself with a career in the creative industries.
I’ve observed that a lot of Autistics (and ADHDers) enjoy creative pursuits, and may ideally like to spend their lives doing creative work. However, I know that many must instead take on other work to make ends meet due to a lack of societal opportunity or support to really follow through with their ambitions.
Many forms of creative work can align with special interests: game development, music, art, craft, costume creation, acting, including voice acting (voicing animals looks like so much fun!), illustration, dance, drag, animation, jewellery-making, writing, comedy, photography, videography, tattoo artistry, graphic design, makeup artistry, online content creation … and others, including roles to be invented in time! I always had a strong passion for music, but couldn’t imagine a career in it until I had a structured opportunity to actually learn some musical skills. It’s possible for potential to be unlocked in any of these areas, provided the investment in education and training.
Creative work may particularly suit Autistic people due to the ability to hyperfocus on special interests, and work in, perhaps, more controlled sensory environments, like at home.
If we’re working alone more often, we can freely unmask, while working with others over shared deep passions can result in genuinely fulfilling social interactions.
Working in music genuinely fills my cup, which makes me optimistic about its potential as a sustainable career. I don’t imagine that creative jobs would come with no potential access need clashes, but perhaps less overall; the focus of a special interest might also aid our motivation to tolerate any challenging aspects.
Imagine life without any creative work in our homes, on our commutes, in our downtime – no books, TV, music, movies, podcasts, art, games … the world would be unimaginably dull. If the work of creatives contributes immeasurably and essentially to the quality of human life, and if the creative industries tangibly contribute to the economy – why are these industries so fundamentally devalued and underfunded?
This thought from my Mum also rocked me: how many life-changing works of art don’t exist in the world because their would-be creators don’t have the supports to create them? It is not inevitable that these industries are underfunded. What we choose to value, prioritise, and fund is a political choice.
Positive outcomes for the Autistic community will come from attention to the broader structural conditions of society, and not just areas more obviously associated with the community (such as disability and healthcare services). Our ability to have a sustainable income must be a key focus.
With many Autistic people struggling with employment, I don’t think the best solutions are ‘social skills trainings’ or interventions requiring us to mask and fit into inaccessible workplaces.
Employers must understand more about our needs, make accommodations for us, and stop discrimination. Decisions about our employment and our lives should be Autistic-led and strengths-based.
Investing more in the creative industries would support many Autistic people to have a sustainable career related to special interests, which would increase our likelihood of financial independence and self-determination. Our creative output, resulting from strong passion and focus (and the skill that can come with this), would likely benefit society with an increase in art to meaningfully impact people’s lives. This work also contributes productively to the economy.
While not a singular solution, I am sure that as part of a bigger picture this would be of significant value for many of us. Is it likely to happen overnight? No.
But I am a passionate visionary of the futures we deserve to see, and I hope I can inspire conversation, mobilisation, and action that may gradually, ultimately move us there. We need and deserve sustainable careers.
Ocean is a late-diagnosed Autistic on a continuing journey of unmasking their true self. They enjoy tea, nature, cats, community, and advocacy. They have worked in research, community services, and music.
* The author has chosen to publish under a pen name. Many of our writers only feel safe disclosing their Autistic identity to a select few due to the enduring stigma and prejudice faced by Autistic individuals. We hope by sharing their stories, together, we can help dismantle this stigma and one day, achieve true Autism acceptance.
The Reframing Autism team would like to acknowledge the Traditional Owners of the lands on which we have the privilege to learn, work, and grow. Whilst we gather on many different parts of this Country, the RA team walk on the land of the Amangu, Awabakal, Bindjareb, Birpai, Whadjak, Wiradjuri and Yugambeh peoples.
We are committed to honouring the rich culture of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples of this Country, and the diversity and learning opportunities with which they provide us. We extend our gratitude and respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, and to all Elders past and present, for their wisdom, their resilience, and for helping this Country to heal.
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