If you are not working, and people ask "What do you do?

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If you are on the autism spectrum and people ask "What do you do for a living" and you are not working, how do you usually answer?

Lately I have no idea so that is what I say.....that I really have no idea but am trying to figure something out.

I tell them I'm disabled, as I have several other debilitating medical issues besides my AS.

Sorry I posted this in the wrong forum by accident so made another post in general autism discussion....was going to delete the OP but saw your reply so i won't..... Hopefully it is ok for me to double post or the other post can be moved.

thread combined with its clone and moved from Social Skills and Making Friends to General Autism Discussion

ok thanks

I'm currently on disability but I don't like telling people that. I'm a university student so during the school year I can get away with "no I'm not working, just focusing in school."

During the summer, people ask me what I'm doing or if I have a job. I don't tell them I'm on disability, but i am still doing things. I tell them I am:

Volunteering at a coffee shop,
Rehearsing a play that will be performed to 5000+ first year university students in September
Working with several other autistic adults to develop a performance art piece about autism

And people still feel the need to interject, "so you're not working?" because obviously working is the be all and end all. (sarcasm)

^
I think people think that if you're not working, you're not contributing to society, which isn't really true in your case because you're obviously contributing but without any sort of paycheck involved. Assumptions, assumptions, people seem to be full of them.

I currently am employed, but I had serious difficulty finding a job, and when I wasn't, I told people that I'm looking for a job. That's usually the best way to go around it I've found because at least it shows you're trying.

I say I'm a full-time stay at home Mom. That my son has special needs and is not ready for preschool and shouldn't be in daycare.

I tell them the truth, I'm a housewife. Most people do see that as an ok job of a gal my age, so I don't usually get looks about it. It's a decision DH and I made together a long time ago, and I've worked some when needed here and there, but this is what I wanted to do for a career.

DH has been out of work before for a while, as have several people we know. They usually say "I'm a <whatever their trade/career is> but I'm out of work right now". That can help if you don't want to go into long explanations. Most people accept that just fine, especially with the economy the way it is right now.

Also "Well, I'm looking for work right now unfortunately" works, or "I'm between jobs, you know this job market now".

Saying "I'm writing right now" can be said in honesty because you obviously write something down every day even if it's a post here or there. If they ask what you are writing say "Oh, this and that" and then in the same sentence ask them about their job or something else.

If you haven't had or can't get a job just say "I'm not having any luck finding work right now, I have a disability (or you can say AS, or autism spectrum or whatever you are comfortable with)" Saying it matter of factly like that could actually open the door to them asking about your AS and why it can be difficult for some people with it to find work. It can help spread awareness one person at a time, and they may actually know somebody who is looking for help that would be suitable for you.

If you are on disability just say "I'm on disability, unfortunately" and then ask about their work, etc. If you say the "unfortunately" afterwards they won't think that you are just mooching or don't want to work, etc. Some people get that way because a lot of people fake things to get on it. If they ask why and you don't mind talking about it, use it as an opportunity to educate them. If you don't want to talk about it say "I'd really rather not talk about it if you don't mind" and smile a little so they know you aren't being snippy with them.

Those are the suggestions I have about it.

Myself, I'm between jobs but not on disability. I say I'm a writer, which is technically true. Should the day come I'm on disability, I'll stick with that, I think.

i tell them variously, that i am a:

*unemployed bum
*professional space occupier
*aspiring audio restoration technician
*student of life
*resident poverty inspector/evaluator
*collector of aches and pains, dust and disorder
*sufferer of an adult situational coping disability

you get the picture.

You could also mess with their heads if you think they are being too nosey. Just lean over toward them and say in a low voice while glancing around suspiciously "Witness Protection.... shhhhhh"

Or that you are cultivating a romantic relationship with a very old, very sick and very, very rich person of the opposite sex (or same if you prefer) and mention "We have an appointment with the lawyer next week".

You could say "You know all those clinical trials and research studies for medicine? They pay righteous bucks! The side effects aren't bad really. I don't even miss seeing the color blue"

Answer with "Selling plasma, it's good money and they don't really screen for all drugs"

"Well last week I sold my body to science. I got $250 and have to carry this card in my wallet, let me see if I can find it to show you...."

"Porn, why?"

Only do those if the person is being entirely too nosey. They may or may not get the hint but it'll be fun to watch them wonder if you are serious.

if somebody told me they did porn professionally, i'd be envious.

Even though it makes me very little money (only enough for a little financial independence, but I still depend on support from others for food, housing, etc.), I teach private bass and guitar lessons, I'm in a few bands that do paid shows, and sometimes on the weekends, if the weather is good, I will busk (play music on sidewalks and such for money). So when people ask me what I do for a living, I tell them that. Generally that gets the topic away from work.

i think the starving artist still has a leg-up on the talentless mr. moneybags.