Hesitant about volunteering

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I'm trying to look into volunteering oppurtunities but I am very concerned about the social stigma that will be involved. I do not wish to be chewed out for not doing my job right and I certainly dont want people getting on me for my quietness and antisocialness.

I dunno how other aspies do it. But this is why I have yet to look into volunteer positions which I want to do to maintain a job.

Though I dont wanna do just anything. I am interested in working with other autistics but I'm also worried if I can handle that kind of environment without having a meltdown either.

I volunteered once at a soup kitchen when I was younger with a church. Unfortunately there were too many of us and not a lot of positions to fill and I was to hesitant to pick a job from the hat so I was left along with a couple of ther people to just sit and interact with the people. Needless to say having homeless people get on you for your shyness was to me a complete stripping of my dignity. I hate the thought that God had only put me on this earth so that the meek could have someone to pick on and give a hard time for things they can not control.

That was my experience with a lot of political activism, including peace activism. It just wasn't that well organized. I guess volunteer work is pretty much like any job, and a lot depends if the 'boss' (main organizer) is a postive, energetic individual who has skills of building people up.

It seems like there would be a way you could say you'd like to try it out for a couple of times before making a more definite commitment (and even then I think it would be pretty much like any other job in which you could ethically give two weeks 'notice'), but personally, I often struggle with things like this.

My experiences with volunteering were bad, and even was told despite me being hardworking I would have to leave a place (and it was free work for them!) because I appeared unhappy, couldn't follow verbal instructions, and that they would not let me have a paying job there because they didn't think I could socially handle it. I also had to go to them everytime to be told what to do and they found this annoying I would assume.

They didn't know I had Asperger's.

At another place I worked with old people and I constantly had to deal with them saying how "shy" I was when I couldn't respond to their small chat. I was told that these people were lonely and didn't get visitors. Maybe they thought I was being rude and that's why they told everyone I was very very shy.

I suggest if you're going to volunteer somewhere let them know of your disabilities. Because in the case of autism, it does affect volunteer work because it so often has to do with social aspects and following orders.

I am very active in my community and often fight the same things that you discuss in this thread. I would like to do volunteer work that is meaningful, but again something that I enjoy. I can totally understand your qualms about political activism, I have been doing it for years and have never been comfortable with making phone calls or knocking on doors. Also, in many cases, most volunteer activties are not well organized, so you feel like you are not accomplishing anything.

I would talk to your clergy, school principal, teacher or anyone that both knows you and has connections in the community to help you in finding volunteer work that you both enjoy and find meaningful. These people can also help you get your foot in the door and in touch with people that are leaders and activists in your area of interest.

I can attest to this on my 2 most recent volunteer experiences - the most recent being the Nike Women's Marathon yesterday. It wasn't bad IMO, but it quickly turned into a bad day when the rain came and I left early.

I don't mind volunteering when I need to do it. I kinda want to help out at the shelter we adopted our cat from some time.

I'd recommend food delivery volunteer work or an animal shelter since the routine is fairly rigid.

I volunteer behind the scenes at a food bank. There are only three basic tasks, all well defined. Don't assume you have to volunteer with people and interact with those you are helping. Labor-oriented opportunities are great.

That sounds like a good idea although it is close to the holidays and I feel will burdened or crowded me thinks.

But yeah my second biggest concern (aside from socializing) is getting chewed out for not doing the work properly or not learning how to do things fast enough.

I have some more questions:

How long should one volunteer at one place to look good on a resume? And how many places should I volunteer at? Currently I dont have a job so I have free time on my hands.

What kind of volunteering jobs would look good for someone who is a certified Medical Coder and Biller?

From my experience, volunteering that involves labor instead of human interaction provides a better experience for someone on the autism spectrum. In most of the cases in which I have offered my services, I have had few problems in getting along with others that are volunteering for the same cause. I have found that most people that give their time are tolerant, kind and understanding, not to mention depending on the cause, intellectual or educated. I have made a number of friends, acquaintances and contacts through my volunteer activities.

Unfortunately, I have not run into too many employers that care what you do for voluntary activities. They have always seemed more interested in the fact that you are "active in the community", then what you do with that time. Again, volunteering can get you in contact with people that can help you get your foot in the door when it comes to employment.

If you are looking for a job in a medical setting, I would look at volunteer opportunities in a hospital, free health clinic or some type of endeavor that would put you in that type of setting. I am not sure what type of activities that they could find for you in the billing/coding area, but again making contact with people that work in those areas can assist in getting hired.

I would say something at a hospital or medical office. But since you're not socially agile, that might be hard since a majority of volunteers at a hospital either work the information desk, provide companionship to patients, or work the gift shop. Now, if the hospital has a volunteer run library or needs people in a non-socially intensive role you might have found your hot ticket...