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Lest people think I'm being negative, I just don't want OP to be distracted by suggestions that won't help her until she is able to function as a socially appropriate, professional adult. This is what OP wants to hear, that she can solver her problems without having to dive off the cliff into scary and uncomfortable and hard self-work, she wants to hear that all she needs is another cert, or a better resume, or a wider range. That is the kind of suggestion she is comfortable with (and why she seldom mentions the ASD when she starts new threads or mentions it as an afterthought instead of the main issue), but won't help her in the slightest at this point. I do think a different career is going to be needed, but that is for later, after OP learns how to manage her disorder through medication and ASD-specific counseling/life skills help and vocational testing.
The way school district contracts work, pay scale is based on degree. They would never be allowed to hire someone with a Masters and pay them the same as classroom aide with a CC degree. Again though, they are not going to hire someone who walks in unkempt and dirty and unable to communicate effectively nor has any professional references, even for a lunch lady.
That is only true (here) for teachers. Almost all of the aids at our school have teaching credentials. They choose to be aids because the hours are shorter and are conducive to being a parent. They work school hours, and don't have to take their work home with them.
Yes, as I said, her other issues are going to continue to be issues no matter where she works.
That is only true (here) for teachers. Almost all of the aids at our school have teaching credentials. They choose to be aids because the hours are shorter and are conducive to being a parent. They work school hours, and don't have to take their work home with them.
Yes, as I said, her other issues are going to continue to be issues no matter where she works.
Okay, you're right, she should be a lunch lady. They'll get closed by the Health Department when she forgets to wash her hands after she changes her pad, but that's beside the point, right?
I challenge you to find me a classroom aide or lunch lady at your school who has a Masters in Education. I do not think it exists. But again, that is secondary IMO to why the advice isn't all that helpful to OP as a first step.
The school district I worked in, we had the opposite problem. I was the O.T., and had too big a caseload so they were going to hire a COTA for me. Well COTA is a 2-year degree and the teachers contract (i was under the contract as well) said no one with a 2-year degree could be paid more than a classroom aide, which is also a 2-year degree....so in the "real world" of for-profit health care, COTAs make $30 an hour or more, but we couldn't pay one more than $12 an hour. I would get new grads who just wanted to be trained in working in schools, then they'd quit in the middle of the year We tried, and there was no way around it.
The way school district contracts work, pay scale is based on degree. They would never be allowed to hire someone with a Masters and pay them the same as classroom aide with a CC degree. Again though, they are not going to hire someone who walks in unkempt and dirty and unable to communicate effectively nor has any professional references, even for a lunch lady.
Just to clarify not all school districts pay aides or other non-teaching staff differently depending on their education or experience. My school district pays their handicapped children's aides quite well so almost every new hire does have a college degree, often a teaching degree. And, I know that a few do have Master's Degrees. However, the schools in my area,(possibly in my entire state) do not pay aides a different amount depending on their educational background or number of years of experience when hired. Every handicapped children's aide starts out at the same amount per hour, whether they are a special education teacher with a Master's Degree & 20 years experience or an 18 year old with one semester of CC (if that person can get hired). I have seen both of those situations just in the last few years.
Now, I completely agree that it would be extremely, extremely unlikely that the OP would be hired, to do anything, in any of school districts where I have worked (even a job such as night time janitor). The one exception, may be, if she was specifically hired as someone with a disability who had a caseworker assigned to her who provided daily contact and daily feedback, possibly even a full time person assigned or hired to assist her on the job. However, I am not familiar with any type program that would do that with an adult. But perhaps, half way houses or other states may have some type of program like that.
Okay, you're right, she should be a lunch lady. They'll get closed by the Health Department when she forgets to wash her hands after she changes her pad, but that's beside the point, right?
I challenge you to find me a classroom aide or lunch lady at your school who has a Masters in Education. I do not think it exists. But again, that is secondary IMO to why the advice isn't all that helpful to OP as a first step.
The school district I worked in, we had the opposite problem. I was the O.T., and had too big a caseload so they were going to hire a COTA for me. Well COTA is a 2-year degree and the teachers contract (i was under the contract as well) said no one with a 2-year degree could be paid more than a classroom aide, which is also a 2-year degree....so in the "real world" of for-profit health care, COTAs make $30 an hour or more, but we couldn't pay one more than $12 an hour. I would get new grads who just wanted to be trained in working in schools, then they'd quit in the middle of the year We tried, and there was no way around it.
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OK, maybe not a lunch lady My point was a way for her to use her education to increase her income. I don't know what a COTA is, but we have classroom aids here who have degrees and work for about $10/hour. They do it because the hours are great.
I've said several times that she needs to get her hygiene issues under control. My post only was to address her income issue.
I think that people would not be as unhappy or as frustrated with you if you even tried a few of the suggestions. And, then reported back if they worked or did not work. But, IMHO, whenever someone gives you a suggestion you immediately explain that it will not work for you. People are not expecting a huge change overnight but little baby steps to success. For example, if you had said last night "I plan to get up a little earlier tomorrow morning, take a shower, shave my legs, wash my hair and put on clean underwear & clean clothes for work tomorrow." And, this morning, if you posted "I did it!" people on CD, all across the US & the world, would have cheered your success!
I also suspect that you have no idea that some of the posters have extensive background in autism so you just discount what they post. Perhaps, it is because of the thinking "if it is free, then it must be worthless".
In my area there is a well known autism specialist who consults with local school districts on autism & other issues. I remember finding out about 15 years ago that she had very similar credentials to my credentials (Master's Degree and 50 plus post Master's Degree credits, including a specialty in ASD and a former special education teacher). I don't know what she charges now but 15 years ago her rate was $500 for approximately a three hour block of time for classroom observation, asking staff questions & reading the child's file and a follow-up 30 to 60 minute conference. BTW, a written report, I believe, cost $100 or $200 extra to the school district.
The couple of times that our district hired her services, she usually recommended the very things that the special education teachers were already doing. I remember one of those meetings where I was the teacher. The parent & administrator were delighted when she suggested doing "X, Y, Z" and emphatically & enthusiastically praised her for her insight and skill. However, I was already doing "X, Y, Z" in the classroom and it was not working so that was why I was asking for help. As a teacher it was pretty frustrating. Because teachers provided a free service to the parents we were often ignored and discounted when compared to other professionals who provided services for fees. And, this happens often.
I suspect that if you paid an autism specialist $50 to $100 an hour (whatever is the going rate in your area) you would be motivated to actually do the work and follow though on their schedules or plans. that's about what I pay now and have paid for similar services, and, no, you guys have given me more insight than she did, but, honestly, I think it's because I'm more open on these forums. I really need to ask her about an online thought journal so that I don't keep leaving out important details. I'm not a wonderful face-to-face communicator. But, when trained, experienced people give you the same advice and suggestions, it appears that you never even try it/them. And, yes it would be successful. Look back some of my earlier suggestions in this post. You have gotten $50 to $100 an hour worth of suggestions for free (obviously, if you were my client they would be custom designed to meet your specific needs, but you are not my client).
This is what I feel after reading many of your posts.
Please, please decide to do something concrete and measurable this weekend. Post what it will be and then post back how you did so that we can praise your success.
Whether, it is wash ALL of your dirty clothes, hang them up in your closet & fold and put them away in drawers or go though your closet with a trusted friend, try on all of your clothes and get rid of clothes that do not fit or are stained or ruined or inappropriate in some other way or go to a beauty salon and get an easy to care for hair cut and a facial wax (if needed) or go shopping with a trusted friend and purchase one or more well fitting, appropriate outfits for work. Frankly, if you were my client I would suggest going through your clothes or washing all of your clothes. Or do the one on your first day off and the second on your next day off.
Select one, post that you will do it this weekend, DO IT, and report back. Thank you.
Good luck.
I didn't mention these anywhere?
Appearance
I went to the beauty college and got my usual oil treatment and flat iron / round brushing and facial wax. I did receive some compliments on my hair, and as long as I keep up with this look by going back every one to two weeks (or taking the time to actually learn how to do it myself--right now it takes me about two hours to do it myself if I don't get frustrated, which is a normal amount of time; it's easier to pay someone, though), my hair will look okay. It's only when I don't keep up with it that I start to have problems. Curly hair tangles like crazy, but I've been given some easy solutions for this by the beauty college students.
Clothing
When I go clothing shopping, I usually go to the places that give free styling services, if they are available. If not, I usually at least get a second opinion on the outfit I try from someone who works there. I do shop for "uniforms" or outfits that are already put together, or I allow other people to put things together for me. I usually just stick with colorful tops and neutral colored bottoms (usually flared skirts), though. I stay away from suit jackets mostly, because they are difficult to care for, and I guess this humidity can destroy dry clean only items easily, because even though I followed the care instructions, they started looking terrible. Double breasted jackets look bulky on me.
Maintaining my look is another story, though, as I frequently just don't take care of my clothes. I guess maybe I'm too careful. Most of my current stuff has "hand wash" on the care instructions, and I don't really wash them unless it's absolutely necessary, because I don't want the colors to fade or run. I purchased a manual washing machine system, but it doesn't seem to do much better than just light fabric soap and water. I've also heard a few people express the opinion that pants and even tights and leggings are immodest, so I've tried to avoid wearing those in public out of respect, although I do wear them once in a while. Hey, it makes as much sense as anything else I've heard, I guess...
I'm also overweight and have been that way for a little while. I need to lose about twenty pounds to be a normal weight for my height. I think I gained the extra pounds when I was sick and really low on iron. I remember I was eating constantly to try to stop feeling tired and weak. I also have a rather sedentary lifestyle, and part of that is because I have such a busy schedule and have to drive instead of having the option of walking or riding a bicycle. I guess I could go to the gym on weekends, though. I purchased some cheap martial arts lessons but haven't found the time, or courage, to purchase a uniform or attend the classes.
Communication
I've really gotten surprisingly better at interacting with my students. I was advised to start a token system whereby they could earn rewards for displaying certain behaviors or completing certain tasks. It was actually pretty effective at reducing the amount of complaints the students had about me. I actually had one or two students tell me that I was their "favorite teacher." Given the setting, though, I was also cautioned about becoming "too friendly" with the kids, which is what my current write-ups are for (I "allowed" them access to my materials).
Actually, I feel like interacting socially across the board has gotten easier since working with kids. There are some things I still don't feel like I know how to do, like dating. I really need to learn how to draw lines; before I got this job, one of my adult students asked to date me once, and I accepted. It was a pretty strange experience and made me really nervous. That's why I like this job. The rules are spelled out for me, and, yes, dating my students is certainly against the rules!
I went to the beauty college and got my usual oil treatment and flat iron / round brushing and facial wax. I did receive some compliments on my hair, and as long as I keep up with this look by going back every one to two weeks (or taking the time to actually learn how to do it myself--right now it takes me about two hours to do it myself if I don't get frustrated, which is a normal amount of time; it's easier to pay someone, though), my hair will look okay. It's only when I don't keep up with it that I start to have problems. Curly hair tangles like crazy, but I've been given some easy solutions for this by the beauty college students.
When I go clothing shopping, I usually go to the places that give free styling services, if they are available. If not, I usually at least get a second opinion on the outfit I try from someone who works there. I do shop for "uniforms" or outfits that are already put together, or I allow other people to put things together for me. I usually just stick with colorful tops and neutral colored bottoms (usually flared skirts), though. I stay away from suit jackets mostly, because they are difficult to care for, and I guess this humidity can destroy dry clean only items easily, because even though I followed the care instructions, they started looking terrible. Double breasted jackets look bulky on me.
Maintaining my look is another story, though, as I frequently just don't take care of my clothes. I guess maybe I'm too careful. Most of my current stuff has "hand wash" on the care instructions, and I don't really wash them unless it's absolutely necessary, because I don't want the colors to fade or run. I purchased a manual washing machine system, but it doesn't seem to do much better than just light fabric soap and water.
I've also heard a few people express the opinion that pants and even tights and leggings are immodest, so I've tried to avoid wearing those in public out of respect, although I do wear them once in a while. Hey, it makes as much sense as anything else I've heard, I guess...
I'm also overweight and have been that way for a little while. I need to lose about twenty pounds to be a normal weight for my height. I think I gained the extra pounds when I was sick and really low on iron. I remember I was eating constantly to try to stop feeling tired and weak. I also have a rather sedentary lifestyle, and part of that is because I have such a busy schedule and have to drive instead of having the option of walking or riding a bicycle. I guess I could go to the gym on weekends, though. I purchased some cheap martial arts lessons but haven't found the time, or courage, to purchase a uniform or attend the classes.
I've really gotten surprisingly better at interacting with my students. I was advised to start a token system whereby they could earn rewards for displaying certain behaviors or completing certain tasks. It was actually pretty effective at reducing the amount of complaints the students had about me. I actually had one or two students tell me that I was their "favorite teacher." Given the setting, though, I was also cautioned about becoming "too friendly" with the kids, which is what my current write-ups are for (I "allowed" them access to my materials by not properly securing them and the person covering for me during a sick day reported it.).
Actually, I feel like interacting socially across the board has gotten easier since working with kids. There are some things I still don't feel like I know how to do, like dating. I really need to learn how to draw lines; before I got this current job, one of my adult students asked to date me once, and I think I accepted. It was a pretty strange experience and made me really nervous. That's why I like this job. The rules are spelled out for me, and, yes, dating my students is certainly against the rules!
When you shop, stay away from high maintenance stuff like this.
Why are you so busy? Maybe you need to make time in your life for basic things like doing laundry.
I know this is off the main subject, but I wanted to point out that even in the same area in the same state, the pay scale for aides varies dramatically.
In my district handicapped children's aides, I believe start at $14 or $15 an hour with full benefits and work full time and those who have been with the district more than 15 years make over $20 an hour.
Just one district over (actually a much wealthier district) I believe, that their aides start at $12 an hour, with only part time hours (three to six hours a day) and very, very limited benefits. I believe that their top pay is $14 or $15 an hour.
Obviously, the competition for special education aide jobs is pretty fierce in my district. That is why almost all of the new hires are college graduates, often with teaching degrees. Clerical aides or regular education aides are paid far, far less, have significantly fewer benefits and only work part time (three to six hours a day)
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We tried, and there was no way around it.
My point was a way for her to use her education to increase her income. I don't know what a COTA is, but we have classroom aids here who have degrees and work for about $10/hour. They do it because the hours are great. 
This is what I feel after reading many of your posts.
Given the setting, though, I was also cautioned about becoming "too friendly" with the kids, which is what my current write-ups are for (I "allowed" them access to my materials). 
