Hi everyone I'm Carol

I"m 54 years old, married to a visually impaired individual and have a 14 year old daughter. I am presently a substitute child care staff worker for the Y. I do very well in college and will graduate this year with an Associates degree in Early Childhood Education. I would like to work with special learners one on one or small group setting. I aslo tutor at the college, three special learners- one has some speech issues, one has ADHD, and the other is deaf. I also love to write, and have been in the process of writing my first book. I express myself well through my writing (my gift). I also love to decorate, listen to praise and worship songs, and do arts and crafts, travel, flea markets and yard sales, love trivia games too.

I went to this website because again, I couldn't start another job. This time I decided to leave the training part. This job training was yes, overload for me! I am so lacking confidence in new things, especially serious or safety things. I also have not done a lot of driving in cities and I don't like driving in traffic. I also am not good thinking on my feet, and making quick sound decisions. I learn many things through experience, and it usually takes time, especially step by step procedures. The job was a support aid for developmentally and intellectually disabled adults in a group home. There were many tasks, and lots of paperwork. Today I had a really bad sinus headache and a troubled stomach (bad bowels in morning), I passed both written tests and failed the practical (step by step) test. Also we were supposed to study for the next written test but I couldn't _ there were two boys talking and to me their voices were loud and annoying, plus other employees were talking. I was getting so upset.

For most of my life, my jobs have not worked out. Some times it is a people thing, some people just have difficulty getting along with me or seeing things the way I do. Some times it is the job is not a good fit for me too stressful. I have dodged many jobs or opportunities because of my symptoms. College has made me bolder and has given me more confidence.


I take awhile filling out applications and I lose my way on a paper with several lines. I sometimes forget my right from my left. I do not have good perception, when I'm backing up my car. I get lost very easily in maze buildings, directions are not my friend. I definitely need a GPS in a car. I also have absentmindedness, and get stressed or nervous around certain people (who will somewhat intimidate me), or they are very abrupt with me. I have a habit of misplacing or losing things like my phone or glasses. I can get very self-absorbed or dazed if I think about something. Some people will try to get my attention and I don't hear them or respond to them right away.

When I'm tired I'm extremely sensitive to bright lights or any types of sounds like radios or TVs, or my family talking.

I also recently noticed for a few years now, I do not hear things correctly or miss things that my family says. Sometimes in college, I ask professors to repeat or I'll ask them to clarify something because I'm not sure. I know I am a visual learner primarily. I"m still working on listening to people better.

I have been through depression, anxiety, worry, stomach problems, and sleep issues. Sometimes my mind just won't unwind, and I could be exhausted.

I also have trouble understanding verbal directions or if someone speaks fast to me.

I had a mom that didn't understand me as well, and I got hit or punished sometimes for it.

I was bullied in elementary and grade school. In my middle school years I was not pretty and shy. High school was a little better; I felt more accepted.

I have a lot of friends online. I have been trying to have a girl friend for years. I am very loyal, loving, compassionate, understanding, encouraging. I will talk to just about everyone.

So I liked to ask the monitors now. Do you think, I have SPD? I was diagnosed no testing from my regular doctor with OCD several years ago. ( but I"m not really sure now).

Any feedback is welcome. Thank you. Carol