Are Autistic People Allowed to Be Ambitious?

Well, apparently not…

I am a self-diagnosed autistic person. I am always going to see the world differently. Perhaps I’m still naive, after all these years, but I thought that I could make a difference in the lives of more children. Maybe I still can. I don’t know anymore. I had decided that I didn’t want to work so hard anymore. I decided that I didn’t have anything to prove to anyone. I feel that I have left a legacy that my children could be proud of, right?

So, I found a position where I would only be working four days a week. It was a part-time position with no benefits but I already have health insurance so I figured it would be fine. Then, I was offered a full-time position, with benefits but with a whole lot more responsibilities.

My management style might be considered, unconventional. I just don’t believe in micromanaging employees or hovering over children. I will spell out my expectations and I expect my directives to be implemented. Children are not robots. Employees are not robots. I was offered and accepted a position that I was not looking for at all.

I believed that the position was made for me. It’s basically the same thing that I have been doing for over 30 years. But then, I was criticized by management for not meeting expectations. I have made the necessary adjustments…