Help Finding A Job (Chicago, Downs: home, find a job, high school)

[jtemple507]

Hello all,

I am a 16-year old living in the Chicago Suburbs, about a half-hour away from the City. Being a Junior in High School, this year is very important as it will be the one colleges look at the most. For some reason, my pattern in school is to slack off a bit and then rush to get everything I slacked off on in during the weeks leading up to the semester finals. Somehow, I've been able to maintain a 3.5+ GPA doing this. But this year, I hit a major stumbling block. Despite everything I was told about the importance of junior year AND having two AP classes, I slacked off yet again. But this time, I made no effort to rush and improve the grade at the end of Semester 1 this year, and my GPA has slipped under 3.5, and because of this I may no longer be eligible for some financial aid going into college. My father is very worried (perhaps more upset than worried, though, for he has to pay for some of that college tuition too) and has told me to find a job. The problem that now faces me is the fact that I have Asperger's Syndrome. This is a social disorder that affects my ability to communicate with others (which might be a reason I couldn't bounce back from the slacking off this year) and the ability to handle multiple crises at the same time. The latter is manifested in a breakdown that makes me look like the kid from Home Alone: screaming incoherently, hands pressed to face, and eyes as wide as a spooked deer. This pretty much denies me the ability to work in the fast food business and a good deal of retail-type businesses.

Does anyone have any ideas of a job that will work to remedy my dilemma?

Thanks,
JT

[ToriaT]

What about a bagger in a grocery store? I see people such as Downs syndrome doing this job at Jewel. I know Aspergers is not the same...and plenty of people without these conditions work as baggers too. I also see a young woman clearing tables at a Culvers I frequent...she is also mentally handicapped in some way and seems to do well. Getting unglued and screaming will not work...suggest you work on this with therapy to control.

[chet everett]

No offense, but adding a job is going to add more stress to your situation.

Are there counseleors at school that you have talked to about this?

Have they recommended any specific course of action? Have you seen a therapist or other professional?