The difficulty of finding work as an Autistic man in the healthcare field!!!

 Hello all, I hope you are doing well. Today, I'd like to talk about something that has been an ongoing challenge. Not just for myself, but other individuals who are on the Autistic Spectrum or Asperger's Spectrum. My very first job after graduating from high school in 2014 was as a cashier in quite a large company. I was fresh out of school and I needed something to do. To occupy my time since I didn't really know what was out there for me. The job was a challenge at first, considering it was my very first employment offer and, for the obvious fact, that I have Autism (it is considered High Functioning now). 

You have to understand, when I was about 3-4 years of age, I was diagnosed with Autism. I was completely non-verbal until the age of about 5 or 6. My parents, who devoted their lives to helping me gain cognitive skills; and life skills, and be able to try to function a little easier, argued with many different specialists who proclaimed "Your son will more than likely not improve. It might be best to consider placing him into an institution when he is older." "Now imagine you are the parent of a child who has Autism or Asperger's Syndrome.  How would you be feeling? What would your thoughts and or opinions be on this matter? I know what mine would be. Mine would be in defense of my child. I wouldn't submit my child or children to that sort of life. No, absolutely not. I would give my children the VERY BEST life they could possibly have ( if I had children ). 

For years, I struggled academically. Especially in Middle School and High School up until Senior Year. To suddenly decide retail would be my chosen profession, at the time, took a lot of courage for me. Let us now jump ahead to this year. My occupation is now in health care. I am a Certified Medical Assistant, a Certified Phlebotomist, a Certified EKG Technician, a Certified Home Health Aide, and a Certified Nursing Aide. 

Some of you might be thinking to yourselves. It sounds like this young man is quite accomplished so what seems to be the problem? Well here is the problem. I may have the qualifications. I may have the experience. I may have the passion, determination, and empathy that all healthcare workers need as a CORE QUALITY. All of those virtues and qualifications are overlooked and or not considered because of one stark simple fact. It is the fact that, at 28 years of age, I have Autism. Whenever an employer sees that I consider myself to be an individual who has Autism on the application form, all of the interest that had been there previously, is now suddenly out the window.  I have had so many interviews which have all seemed like the position is going to be given to me only to be given the dismissive email that states I have not been chosen. I know some of you might also be thinking, "Well maybe you weren't qualified enough or maybe you didn't present yourself properly at the interview. Maybe you weren't confident enough." Anymore confident and respectful, and people would start calling me Father like in a Church. 

There have been so many times when employers have even questioned my Disability, which is against the  Americans With Disabilities Act. They have looked at me as if I have three heads. And then immediately their entire composure and the atmosphere of the environment and setting changed. Now, this isn't to say that I haven't worked in a hospital setting before. I have. In a great one and in two not-so-great establishments. One of them, I was presented with the unfortunate event of being discriminated against in a very stereotypical fashion. In healthcare, male nurses are often sought after because they are deemed bodyguards in a sense. When some patients act out of hand, I have seen first hand the men being called from Transport Teams to come up and attempt to subdue a resisting patient or aggressive patient. This sort of stereotyping, thinking that ALL MALE NURSES are fit to do such a task, it is absolutely wrong and quite frankly it is offensive. I will tell you first hand that as a male nurse, I am 5'6, Stocky, and my greatest virtue is being able to sit down and listen to what the patient has to say. To show complete proper empathy. Not all men are aggressive and let their emotions get the better of them. Not all men use their size and strength to get patients back into bed if they become agitated. As a matter of fact, aggression and intimidation, which I have seen countless times, should not be allowed. 

This plays into the fact that I have not received some jobs. Due to my disability as well as being a male. I am not trying to be sexist but it's the truth. I am not one of those men who have been deemed a bodyguard and or who can go into any patient's hospital room and get them to comply and get back into bed. I refuse to be considered that type of male nurse. Going back to our main point and discussion. Many times I have been hit with the statement, we are looking for more qualified and experienced workers. I think to myself, ok great but how does one gain experience if they aren't given the opportunity to work??? There have been many times when I haven't sounded the same as another individual, or almost monotonous. At least that used to be the case. Socially I am improving. However, there are people out there on the Autistic spectrum and Asperger's Spectrum who have such amazing talents and gifts. Some are musicians, some are comedians, and some are artists. Some are even in politics. Many times, however, they are not given the same equal opportunities as other hard-working Americans. Why is that? Because they have a Disability and are labeled abnormal. 

We are living in a society where if you do not look a particular way, sound a particular way, or purchase particular items, you WILL be refused any morsel of equal opportunity rights in the realm of employment. Workplace bullying, employers taking advantage of the good nature of those individuals on the spectrum, and the deterioration of health are just some of the inequalities and consequences of such a society that we live in. If you want to make a difference in the world, sit down and talk to your employees who are on the spectrum. Sit and talk to them about their day, their struggles, and what they like. Inclusion begins with polite actions. Show the actions that can help thousands of Disabled workers find their true potential and discover equal rights and opportunities in the healthcare field. 

With that being said, thank you for your time, and God Bless.