[JBuckl]

I'm wondering if anyone has any suggestions for a career/job for someone who is young. I'm 19 and I imagine I'll have symptoms for life, though they're getting better. I'm getting back into school next semester--1 class. I am pursuing acupucture as a career right now because i'm assuming it is not a physically or mentally demanding job. It is--for the most part-- very unstressful as far as I know. I can't do physical labor due to sensitivity to movements/bumps, and I'd need something where I can take breaks. Thanks!

[Mark in Idaho]

I think you need to determine what functions and dysfunctions you have long term. Acupuncture likely requires a lot of memorization. You might be surprised to learn how complex the protocol is.

A good way to get an idea of your capabilities is to take Anatomy and Physiology. Then, use that experience to look to the future. At 19, you have plenty of time.

[JBuckl]

I plan on taking Anatomy and Physiology once I can tolerate the length of the lab--around 2 hours.

Based off of the last two and a half years, I would say that my biggest issue is the tolerance of stimulus and duration of activity. The thing that I can tolerate the least is straight reading--around 20 minutes. Playing Guitar is around 25-30 minutes. Screentime is 35-45.

For some reason, my brain can tolerate a longer duration for conversations when it's with someone like a Dr. or a friend, someone who I don't see on a regular basis. At this last Thanksgiving, I only needed one break during the 7 or so hours of visiting (and eating, of course!) The following days weren't too bad either. I could never go seven hours with one break at home.

My breaks last from 20-45 minutes and either have to be complete rest, exercise, or walking.

I also can have a longer duration of activities at night and need shorter breaks. This may sound like I'm overdoing it at night, but this isn't the case. I just feel better at night.

My cognitive functions all seem to have actually improved since my injuries. My learning ability and memory seem to be better. This may be due to getting more sleep and not being physically and mentally exhausted from sports and school like I was pre injury. My NPA said that I'm in the average to either low average range in all of the testing categories.

[JBuckl]

My brain sensitivity to movements and bumps is also a limiting factor. I have found my ways around it and no longer deal with the anxiety.

It's just something I have to keep in mind when considering a career.

You're right, I do have plenty of time. 8 months ago, I was back down to only being able to function (read, screen time, conversations, etc.) around 5% of the day. Now, I'm around 55%.

[Mark in Idaho]

It will help if you try to determine how you learn best. You likely will benefit from multi-sensory learning. That means using audio, tactile and visual senses to learn. This imprints knowledge into memory better for many people.

When you converse, you may tolerate the Doc and others better when there is an objective and structure to your conversation. Social settings often have a very abstract structure that can be more difficult to process. I will fatigue after 10 to 20 minutes of chit-chat but can go much longer if the conversation has structure like technical issues, etc.

Once you learn these differences, you may find that you can get far more done in a day by limiting abstract thought and focusing on structured thought. It helped me to also develop a system for changing tasks when I was starting to fatigue. It is a long learning process to just learn how to learn. Our past learning style may be useless. If you expect to still learn the same way, you will frustrate yourself.

So, please take some time to sort through these ideas. You may need an educational assessment to learn how to learn. Many do.

[Laupala]

What's involved in an educational assessment to learn how to learn? Who administers such a test?

[Mark in Idaho]

Educational psychologists can administer the testing. There may be some other educational specialists, too. Google educational diagnosis or academic diagnosis. Most is focused on school age children but they should understand adult learning issues, too.

A school disabilities department may have a referral, too.

Here is an international company worth checking out. They helped my nephew as a high school junior.

http://lindamoodbell.com/learning-centers

[JBuckl]

Thanks for the help, Mark!

I'm also considering social work or being a counselor. I would like to specifically work with people with chronic conditions.

I'm wondering if anyone has any thoughts on this as well. Any advice would be helpful!

My best strength is having one on one conversation. Right now, I can tolerate up to four hours straight if the conversation is very engaging.

[Mark in Idaho]

I have a friend in my brain injury support group who suffered a bad brain injury just before starting college. It took him 10 years to graduate and now has a masters in professional counseling with a focus in brain injury. His condition was much worse than your but he still has the symptoms that many of us live with.

I think you need to move forward educationally without setting such a locked in target. As you learn different disciplines, you will discover which ones you are good at and enjoy. You have plenty of time to sort these issues out. Just take classes that you can use toward building a resume. No basket weaving or other avocational classes unless the discipline has therapeutic value.

If you consider how many college grads finish without employable skills, you will see the need to be patient with your educational direction.

If you are in the US, see if you can take the ASVAB. It is the military aptitude test that finds your strengths and weaknesses. You could also take the Civil Service exam.

[davOD]

Met a girl who was a TBI survivor...

She became a massage therapist...

Makes her own hours, and very quiet and low key..