Many of us with an FASD have trouble remembering multi step directions, and learning math concepts. I struggle with these tasks, yet I have been a claims adjuster for auto medical claims for 15 years. Believe me, it took about 3 years to become good at what I do. When I tell people I have brain damage, yet I have been at the same job for 15 years (2 companies), they stare at me. It surprises me too, let me tell ya. I think I know why though. I have had great supervisors and mentors who knew I was a visual learner. They answered my questions over and over again, and I had visual aids that walked me through the steps of the different tasks I did everyday. Of course my co-workers would get irritated that I would forget the steps to paying a bill when I was able to do it the day before. That is why I would rotate who got asked questions!

My job is repetitive in the way we write up claims and handle mail and bills. The type of claims that come in can vary, as can the injuries, but the way the claims system is used is the same on every claim, and the same key strokes get entered EVERY…SINGLE… DAY. Repetition as a part of my job has helped me be successful. I still struggle. 15 years in, and I still make my share of mistakes, but I have a great group of people I work for and work with, and that makes all the difference.

I took it upon myself to research some occupations that rely heavily on repetition, for those of us with an FASD that may be looking to try their hands out in the working world. Below are 10 jobs I found:

1. A Medical Claims Adjuster for an Insurance Company (NOT AN AGENT OR A FIELD Rep where one has to go out and physically look at damage and estimate the damage, or sell policies). This is what I do, and many claims adjuster positions have claims systems that are handled in a specific way, and claims handling is repetitive.
2. Working in a call center. Answering phones, reading off a script. I get phone calls from billers for medical providers that want to write down if a bill has been processed. They call me, i give them the check number, date it went out and the amount, and that is that!
3. Assembly Line Worker. Jobs for those that are able to lift a certain amount of weight and repeat assembly line instructions.
4. AMAZON! They have jobs in their warehouses that pack shipment orders! (I thought this would be fun)
5. A Grocery Bagger
6. Returning items at a store that people have returned
7. Package Sorter: Sorting packages at a UPS Facility
8. Lawn Maitanence (no big machinery needed, just pulling weeds, watering plants)
9. Working in the Produce Section of a Grocery Store
10. A Walmart Greeter