I have severe Auditory Processing Disorder. What kind of jobs would be a good fit for me?

I am a 22 year old female and have struggled with APD all my life academically and at the workplace. I have been working since the age of 17 and have had at least nine jobs. I do not have any problems getting a job but it is very hard for me to hold down certain jobs. I have worked retail jobs (ex:grocery stores, clothing stores, fast food), warehouse, housekeeping and I have worked as a nurse aide. I have been let go from some jobs I've had because of my APD. I noticed retail jobs are very fast-paced and demanding. With my APD it makes it difficult for me to communicate with other people especially in loud; crowded work environments. I constantly misinterpret sounds and things people say even in quiet environments. It takes me a long time to process things others say sometimes. Even when the person talks loud enough I still have a hard time. Most supervisors grow impatient with me very quick even when they know I have this condition. I have had supervisors fire me or let me go within three months of working sometimes within one week or three weeks. Since I've been on my own in the real world these past few years I'm starting to think my disability affects me more than I thought it would. I now have a husband I have to look after and help and a two year old son to provide for. I just lost my job and me and my husband are now staying in a homeless shelter my son has been residing with his biological father. This is my fourth time being homeless altogether in three years due to job loss. My husband struggles also but he is physically disabled. He receives SSI income but only 750.00 a month. The shelter has started charging him 360.00 a month for us to stay here. I've become depressed because I want to be able to help my husband and make a decent income for our family It's stressful when I can't hold down certain jobs. I have a Regents HS. Diploma and was considering going to a technical school, college or getting some kind of training for something but I actually wonder what kind of jobs/career I can do with my APD. I receive work counseling through People Inc. and they advocate for me on the job but I still struggle.

maybe something with animals

Open a small company that offers housecleaning and bar cleaning services. You will work mostly alone , w/o any danger that might come from you not hearing okay (i was thinking of a factory job as a start, but i'm guessing it'd be too dangerous). Where i live there's plenty of women that have such a business, small operation with a few employees max but they all mostly started alone. It's not a splendid line of work but imo it should get you out of the shelter.

As for further studying, are you into architecture? Imho you need to find yourself something that doesn't involve much interaction with people and their whims on a constant basis if your hearing impediment is as bad as it reads. Something that involves other senses, sight, touch etc etc....i was thinking carpentry school or something involving home renovation if you want to go down the technical school path. Idk the English name for the profession that paints ppl's walls, like inside the house (wallpainter?), but you could do that too, has some creative element to it as well (on certain jobs).

Thank you for posting this btw. It made me realize what a wimp i am when i complain about my life. Best of luck.

Massage therapy. It's a relaxing environment for you and the client & hardly no talking. Courses are not as long as it would take to get a degree. It's enough money to survive on, until you can think of something better.

So not living with mom and his grandma anymore?

Posted by UnusualVaginalDischarge
I didn’t know homelessness shelters charge money!?

With that money, you could probably rent a room in someone’s house

Also, can’t you get some financial assistance for your disability as well? It is causing you to keep losing jobs, try to get some sort of disability income for it

that is weird. they charge??

Posted by _gg
Job Title Median Salary (2016)* Job Growth (2014-2024)*

Editor $ 57,210 -5%

Massage Therapist $ 39,860 22%

Accountants and Auditors $ 68,150 11%

Software Developer $ 102,280 17%

Writers and Authors $ 61,240 2%

Librarian $ 57,680 2%

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nice.

Posted by lisabethur8

Posted by UnusualVaginalDischarge
I didn’t know homelessness shelters charge money!?

With that money, you could probably rent a room in someone’s house

Also, can’t you get some financial assistance for your disability as well? It is causing you to keep losing jobs, try to get some sort of disability income for it

that is weird. they charge??

click to expand

doubtful. never heard of it unless its like a low income shelter maybe.

Posted by Turquoise
I am a 22 year old female and have struggled with APD all my life academically and at the workplace. I have been working since the age of 17 and have had at least nine jobs. I do not have any problems getting a job but it is very hard for me to hold down certain jobs. I have worked retail jobs (ex:grocery stores, clothing stores, fast food), warehouse, housekeeping and I have worked as a nurse aide. I have been let go from some jobs I've had because of my APD. I noticed retail jobs are very fast-paced and demanding. With my APD it makes it difficult for me to communicate with other people especially in loud; crowded work environments. I constantly misinterpret sounds and things people say even in quiet environments. It takes me a long time to process things others say sometimes. Even when the person talks loud enough I still have a hard time. Most supervisors grow impatient with me very quick even when they know I have this condition. I have had supervisors fire me or let me go within three months of working sometimes within one week or three weeks. Since I've been on my own in the real world these past few years I'm starting to think my disability affects me more than I thought it would. I now have a husband I have to look after and help and a two year old son to provide for. I just lost my job and me and my husband are now staying in a homeless shelter my son has been residing with his biological father. This is my fourth time being homeless altogether in three years due to job loss. My husband struggles also but he is physically disabled. He receives SSI income but only 750.00 a month. The shelter has started charging him 360.00 a month for us to stay here. I've become depressed because I want to be able to help my husband and make a decent income for our family It's stressful when I can't hold down certain jobs. I have a Regents HS. Diploma and was considering going to a technical school, college or getting some kind of training for something but I actually wonder what kind of jobs/career I can do with my APD. I receive work counseling through People Inc. and they advocate for me on the job but I still struggle.

You didn't mention if you use a hearing aid. I know they are expensive, but there are Government funds that can help pay for them as you need an "audible" test done to determine your hearing capabilities. Next, there are many companies that can hire you: Lighthouse for the Blind (NO you don't have to be blind for this), etc.

I am a GOOGLE queen and surprised you haven't already done so; yet you ask for advice here. Here is one I found as you can do the rest:

https://apdsupportuk.yolasite.com/resources/Adults% 20with% 20APD% 20and% 20Employment.pdf

Good luck

🤗 cyber hugs!

Love,

Eva

PS: Few DXP members know this....my ex husband is profusely deaf; he refused to wear hearing aids; he's 49 and has had over 40 jobs; until he met me. Worked for Mustang Equipment making $ 17.00 and hour; I helped him get a raise. He left me for an old Hag; and he now works as a detailer earning about $ 14.00 an hour.

Posted by wiseblood

Posted by 2Moon
I have tinnitus and I have been considering working in a library, i need quiet and calm working place...

Wouldn't a quiet environment make your Tinnitus more noticeable? :/

Generally you'd want some background noise to mask it out. Quiet environments are the worst for tinnitus.

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yeah I thought so too - my Libra has some sort of tinnitus from a head injury so bad he actually died and came back - he needs noise all the time so we leave the tv on which I hate and I'm not used to but I manage

Posted by wiseblood

Posted by tctao

Posted by wiseblood

Posted by 2Moon
I have tinnitus and I have been considering working in a library, i need quiet and calm working place...

Wouldn't a quiet environment make your Tinnitus more noticeable? :/

Generally you'd want some background noise to mask it out. Quiet environments are the worst for tinnitus.

yeah I thought so too - my Libra has some sort of tinnitus from a head injury so bad he actually died and came back - he needs noise all the time so we leave the tv on which I hate and I'm not used to but I manage

I am sorry to hear that 😢

Tinnitus can be really difficult to live with. Something I will recommend to help you both.. there are tons of Tinnitus masking apps available nowadays, you could just plug your phone into a computer speaker or a blue tooth speaker and play it all night. There are much more relaxing sounds to choose from that can allow you to sleep comfortably too 🙂

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yeah playing music at night might work better for me - it's a good option thanks

Posted by wiseblood

Posted by tctao

Posted by wiseblood

Posted by tctao

Posted by wiseblood

Posted by 2Moon
I have tinnitus and I have been considering working in a library, i need quiet and calm working place...

Wouldn't a quiet environment make your Tinnitus more noticeable? :/

Generally you'd want some background noise to mask it out. Quiet environments are the worst for tinnitus.

yeah I thought so too - my Libra has some sort of tinnitus from a head injury so bad he actually died and came back - he needs noise all the time so we leave the tv on which I hate and I'm not used to but I manage

I am sorry to hear that 😢

Tinnitus can be really difficult to live with. Something I will recommend to help you both.. there are tons of Tinnitus masking apps available nowadays, you could just plug your phone into a computer speaker or a blue tooth speaker and play it all night. There are much more relaxing sounds to choose from that can allow you to sleep comfortably too 🙂

yeah playing music at night might work better for me - it's a good option thanks

These apps provide more therapy type sounds. Beach, campfire, birds chirping, waterfall, stuff like that. Very relaxing 😉

This is the app.. it is available for i phone or android 🙂

https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.oticon.tinnitus&hl=en

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thank you - love you!