Autism in the Workplace

[JayD210]

As someone who has been diagnosed with Autism nearly my whole life, the idea of disclosing the fact I have Autism to employers used to be off limits. I wanted nobody to know. After a lifetime of being bullied, I was having none of it. Too many bad memories. Over time, I let my work in the Security Field do the talking. When I was first hired as Loss Prevention for a consumer electronics company, I still said nothing. I was 5 years into my Career in 2009 when I was hired by another well known company as an Investigations Specialist. I have a long list of skills that are almost completely self taught, and I do apply some of them to my work almost daily. I’m very skilled in the Automotive Space because I’m a lifelong master tinkerer on pretty much everything mechanical. In San Antonio from 1992 through 2001, most of that time was around a Taxi Company and Towing Company. Right after my 8th Birthday in July 1994, I went with my Mom to the Office as she was the Bookkeeper. Her boss who later in my life became my Stepdad led me out back, shown me a Tool Chest, and told me to have at it with the wrecked Taxis stored there. I would also hang out in the Maintenance Bay with our Mechanics. I was already able to name off every Car, Truck, Plane, and Helicopter I see and tell you everything about them. I taught myself those things and I was a one kid salvage team. My Stepdad is an amazing Man by the way. Wouldn’t be where I am without him among others. So fast forward to 2004 and then to 2009. Me identifying Cars effortlessly without references while investigating Organized Retail Crime and other acts of Theft and Fraud. That’s how I partnered with Law Enforcement to get people identified and solve my cases for the Company. Bosses took notice and so did Cops and Teammates. That’s when the questions started.
“How do you know all this?”.
“You don’t use Google. How do you know?”.
“There’s something unique about you. Most people don’t have that skill set”.

Then suddenly, people started cluing into my methods of self organizing and keeping my Office dark “because of sensory”. The bouncing of my leg when sitting also got noticed. When all these things are put together, that’s when I get asked. “Is it Anxiety or Autism?”. I don’t say yes or no, but I do confirm by saying “The latter. How did you guess?”. This has been my reality since 2009. The reception of it when they figure it out on their own, almost entirely positive.

My current employer is a well known Home Improvement Company and they seek people with Disabilities and Veterans for employment. Several of my Assocites that I supervise at both locations on my caseload are on the Autism Spectrum like I am. My Team which I’m the most tenured of in my District, all of them eventually guessed for themselves that I have Autism. Our Boss, same thing. Our higher ups at Regional and Divisional, they know too. I’ve given lots of incite within the company using my skills and experience. I’m 6 years with the company and 20 in the field. The fact that they know I have Autism has actually been the basis for being handed a lot of tasks requiring attention to detail, someone who can really dial things in. I mentioned my Mechanical Skills, I do all my own Maintenance and Repair on my 2019 Hyundai that I bought new. I can also do gunsmithing, custom design and build security lockups, design custom furniture and build that too. It’s the building of the custom Security Lockups that I get tapped to do a lot of when needed. My team will invade a Store and all the heavy building is what I live for. As the tenured member of our Team, I also see it as my responsibility to look after my team. I’m not the Supervisor or District AP Manager who’s my Boss, but I try to contribute as much as I humanly can. My Autism has actually aided me in making things happen.

The only downside to my work is approaching Shoplifters which being someone who hates conflict, I have to work around the stress and be comfortable with the fact that I’m doing a potentially dangerous job. My way around that is to approach them, allow them to make the choice to comply or run, almost always the latter. I prefer they run because that’s what I feel safest with. I’m not small at 6’3” and broad shouldered, but still. I get credit for that case either way.

So yeah, I’m more than comfortable with my employer knowing I have Autism. I work for a great company so why should I hide it? That’s my take.

 

[Ronald Zeeman]

I never told any body, never got diagnosed, a few times I walked in on a few of them checking a colour on the table
in the plant they did not see me heard the conversation they were discussing me, shut up immediately. they could tell I was different. Does not bother me, all that matters is results. I do not mask can be blunt do not socialize.

 

[JayD210]

My reputation among the Associates and Management at each of the 13 locations in my District is pretty consistent. When I walk through the doors, chances I know most of the staff and they ask how I am and how things are going. Not all of them know, just the immediate people I answer to or work directly with. The reputation I have is that I’m there to work. I’m there to get things done. If there’s theft or fraud activity, I’m there to shut it down. In short, the reputation I have is I’m very easygoing but I don’t play games.

 

[Neonatal RRT]

Too many variables, but....

If you are currently in a position of power, influence, or authority and have the respect of your co-workers, then you can probably "out yourself" if you think it important to do so. If not, then I might not recommend it.

 

[Misty Avich]

It depends on how ASD affects you as an individual. My ASD is rather discreet whether I mask or not.

It seems ASD is mostly understood through stereotypes. Many people think that if you don't display the commonly known stereotypes of autism as they know it then you're not autistic.

That doesn't just apply to autism, it applies to most things. People think that just because I have ADHD it means I'm better suited to hard physical labour where I'm rushing about on my feet all day, where in reality I'm better working in a confined space where I can better keep organised and keep track of time and focus better. An office environment would probably be suited to me more than cleaning.
And even then people think that just because I'm ASD they have to give me a warning that office environments could mean more social interaction and because I'm ASD it means I hate social interaction with colleagues. That ain't true with me. I like socialising at work.

 

[Judge]

IMO, one needs to maintain that "need-to-know" basis only. At least if you work in the United States. Where mental health in general remains highly stigmatized.

Unless you require legal entitlements which inevitably involve formally disclosing your condition making it a matter of record. Otherwise, throw the dice to see if you are in a better situation than when you didn't make such a disclosure. When you may or may not get accommodations. Though at the risk of "the cat being out of the bag".

And if you are declined for future employment with a less-than-concise reason...well, it can happen. Laws against discrimination do not stop all potential employers from breaking them. Especially if and when within the realm of civil rather than criminal law. Be careful...

Even telling my closest relatives (and direct social contacts) that I came to the conclusion I was on the spectrum turned out to be a bad idea. About the only one who understood was an ex-sister-in law who was an RN.

 

[Misty Avich]

A very true phrase a good friend of mine often says, is "do what works for you". If you feel a disclosure to your employer would benefit you then go for it.

I prefer to remain closeted about my diagnosis because of pride. Where I come from it's still a sort of taboo to be autistic and once you've "let the cat out of the bag" so to speak, you might notice you're being treated differently due to stereotypical assumptions. This isn't always the fault of others though because often they are trying to be nice and trying to understand. The whole world ain't always out to get autistic people, not everyone's a jerk, in fact most people aren't.
But I just feel it's easier for me not to tell the employer, one thing is because I'm embarrassed about it (sorry, but it isn't unusual for some people to be embarrassed about disclosing a disability whatever it may be, please don't kill me), and another thing is I just feel I don't really need to. The employer basically finds out for themselves that I have ADHD and anxiety disorder anyway, so even if I wanted to I can't hide those lol. Also ADHD is widely undiagnosed in women so many women might not even know they have it (I only found out I had it 4 years ago so before then I couldn't disclose it anyway), and anxiety is widely common in the population anyway, so there's less stigma attached. But a disclosure of autism seems to hit differently.

 

[marc_101]

@JayD210 It's nice to read about a positive experience! I'm glad that it has been working for you.

I've never told anybody at work. It's probably because of bad experiences in the past. Many years ago docs thought I had bipolar II. When I told people, including friends, their reactions were not great, and I could sense the discomfort and the change in behavior towards me. So now I don't say anything.

 

[JayD210]

IMO, one needs to maintain that "need-to-know" basis only. At least if you work in the United States. Where mental health in general remains highly stigmatized.

Unless you require legal entitlements which inevitably involve formally disclosing your condition making it a matter of record. Otherwise, throw the dice to see if you are in a better situation than when you didn't make such a disclosure. When you may or may not get accommodations. Though at the risk of "the cat being out of the bag".

And if you are declined for future employment with a less-than-concise reason...well, it can happen. Laws against discrimination do not stop all potential employers from breaking them. Especially if and when within the realm of civil rather than criminal law. Be careful...

Even telling my closest relatives (and direct social contacts) that I came to the conclusion I was on the spectrum turned out to be a bad idea. About the only one who understood was an ex-sister-in law who was an RN.

I am in the US. Other than Autism, I’m perfectly fine. It only comes up when they ask. I don’t go out of my way to disclose. It’s because when working at my Job or on a hobby, I’m extremely wired into my craft. That’s the only way they ever figure it out with me.

 

[JayD210]

IMO, one needs to maintain that "need-to-know" basis only. At least if you work in the United States. Where mental health in general remains highly stigmatized.

Unless you require legal entitlements which inevitably involve formally disclosing your condition making it a matter of record. Otherwise, throw the dice to see if you are in a better situation than when you didn't make such a disclosure. When you may or may not get accommodations. Though at the risk of "the cat being out of the bag".

And if you are declined for future employment with a less-than-concise reason...well, it can happen. Laws against discrimination do not stop all potential employers from breaking them. Especially if and when within the realm of civil rather than criminal law. Be careful...

Even telling my closest relatives (and direct social contacts) that I came to the conclusion I was on the spectrum turned out to be a bad idea. About the only one who understood was an ex-sister-in law who was an RN.

I am in the US. Other than Autism, I’m perfectly fine. It only comes up when they ask. I don’t go out of my way to disclose. It’s because when working at my Job or on a hobby, I’m extremely wired into my craft. That’s the only way they ever figure it out with me.

 

[Judge]

I am in the US. Other than Autism, I’m perfectly fine. It only comes up when they ask. I don’t go out of my way to disclose. It’s because when working at my Job or on a hobby, I’m extremely wired into my craft. That’s the only way they ever figure it out with me.

My employers weren't sophisticated enough to ever figure it out. But they liked my work ethic....driven more along the lines of my OCD. Which I also chose not to disclose.

Many years beyond this job, I came to the conclusion that there was even one guy in our department who I was certain was on the spectrum. Though I doubt he ever realized it, being in a generation before me.

 

[Masked Man]

My experience is a bit like yours I think. And yes, there are a lot of variables, as someone has already mentioned, but my job and place of work is incredibly diverse and open to diversity. Additionally, the city I live in is also diverse and open to such. I'm pretty open with my (as of yet) suspected diagnosis, and I'm also not the only one in my workplace who is ND. So where I work and live, it's not really a huge deal and people pretty much mind their own business.

 

[JayD210]

It depends on how ASD affects you as an individual. My ASD is rather discreet whether I mask or not.

It seems ASD is mostly understood through stereotypes. Many people think that if you don't display the commonly known stereotypes of autism as they know it then you're not autistic.

That doesn't just apply to autism, it applies to most things. People think that just because I have ADHD it means I'm better suited to hard physical labour where I'm rushing about on my feet all day, where in reality I'm better working in a confined space where I can better keep organised and keep track of time and focus better. An office environment would probably be suited to me more than cleaning.
And even then people think that just because I'm ASD they have to give me a warning that office environments could mean more social interaction and because I'm ASD it means I hate social interaction with colleagues. That ain't true with me. I like socialising at work.

My ideal workspace if I had my choice would what I got now. Make my own schedule, get paid to be part of some chaos time to time, and do other odds and ends project wise. I have my pick of how the day will go. I’m a one man show at work, unless we’re doing a blitz which is fun to. Another part of my wants to be left alone, at a workbench, parts to hand fit, and put together the latest project. I have that as a hobby in several things so I’m good there too.

 

[vergil96]

I don't disclose, because I don't need to. I wouldn't talk about health with coworkers in depth to begin with. If I need accommodations, I just ask and do go in depth about it, just surface level. Others might suspect that I'm autistic, because I have repeatedly been asked or assumed to be autistic throughout my life, even though I didn't know - and I think the diagnosis is fluid. I used to not have problems resulting from autism, now I do and hence I got the diagnosis. I don't want to make it into a gossip at work. Or some other type of drama, because if you see an obvious neurodiverse nerd what the information about autism diagnosis adds is spicy news, assumptions and stereotypes about "being diagnosed with a disorder". It's bollocks, but it's fuel for gossip, tensions. When someone asks me if I'm autistic I reply "Oh, maybe? I see quite a few similarities".

 

[Misty Avich]

I guess my ASD is like IBS; it sucks, it affects me somehow, it's socially awkward (to me), but isn't something that needs disclosing to an employer, as it's considered private and something I prefer not to talk about outside of this forum. (Fact: I don't have IBS, not the gassy kind anyway). If I had my way that's how I would have had it at school too, but being a child I could not make that decision, it was all "oh, EVERYBODY has to know you have this label, it's the hot item of discussion that must be broadcasted: MISTY HAS ASPERGER'S, EVERYONE!!!"

 

[Misty Avich]

I don't disclose, because I don't need to. I wouldn't talk about health with coworkers in depth to begin with. If I need accommodations, I just ask and do go in depth about it, just surface level. Others might suspect that I'm autistic, because I have repeatedly been asked or assumed to be autistic throughout my life, even though I didn't know - and I think the diagnosis is fluid. I used to not have problems resulting from autism, now I do and hence I got the diagnosis. I don't want to make it into a gossip at work. Or some other type of drama, because if you see an obvious neurodiverse nerd what the information about autism diagnosis adds is spicy news, assumptions and stereotypes about "being diagnosed with a disorder". It's bollocks, but it's fuel for gossip, tensions. When someone asks me if I'm autistic I reply "Oh, maybe? I see quite a few similarities".

Yes, this is my fear too. I get that people do like to gossip, people will, even I am interested in gossip and could spend all day listening to gossip in the workplace. But then again I'm still not certain how much other people would care about my diagnosis, maybe they won't care as much as I think they will, but because I've always had a chip on my shoulder about having ASD (due to bad past experiences such as peer rejection and a traumatic diagnosis process), it sort of makes me believe (or fear that) other people will feel the same and shame me for it or something. I don't know, it's kinda hard to explain and is probably something that needs to be addressed in therapy, but at the moment I'm already undergoing therapy for emetophobia and so one thing at a time.

 

[Misty Avich]

I remember at my previous job most people knew about my ASD diagnosis because I had a job coach help me search for jobs as I was struggling to keep up with the constant job-searching on my own and accepting the rooooooolzz, also being unemployed was stressful, so this job coach I had was from a scheme for adults with disabilities looking for work. So when I finally got offered my first job, the job coach had to get involved and work alongside my employer, so inevitably my diagnosis had to be mentioned. The information leaked out among some of my coworkers, because even if these things are supposed to be kept confidential they still have a habit of getting around and I think my employer just thought I didn't mind everyone and their dog knowing. I should have said I didn't really want everyone knowing about it but at the time I was only 22 and so was still used to the diagnosis following me around like I was still at school.

So that's another reason why I prefer to keep it private in the job I'm in now. I just feel free and in control.
I did worry a bit when I used my previous employer in one of my references, in case they might have spilled the beans to my current employer, but I don't think they even got in touch, as not all employers do bother to chase up the references you give.

I've been attacked on another autism site for feeling the way I do about my diagnosis, and it has kinda left me sensitive to any further attacks about it from anyone else, because there are reasons behind why I feel the way I do, and people should be more respectful and spare me any criticism unless it's constructive and doesn't carry a "you are a bad person for feeling like that!" undertone.

 

[JayD210]

I guess my ASD is like IBS; it sucks, it affects me somehow, it's socially awkward (to me), but isn't something that needs disclosing to an employer, as it's considered private and something I prefer not to talk about outside of this forum. (Fact: I don't have IBS, not the gassy kind anyway). If I had my way that's how I would have had it at school too, but being a child I could not make that decision, it was all "oh, EVERYBODY has to know you have this label, it's the hot item of discussion that must be broadcasted: MISTY HAS ASPERGER'S, EVERYONE!!!"

Luckily for me, I don’t disclose directly as said. I don’t tell them, I let them come to me when they do put two and two together. Even then, I don’t answer “yes” directly but rather ask them “How did you manage to figure it out?”. The only reason the few who know figure it out is because when I’m at work, I’m extremely wired into my craft. I give information on other things as if I’m a subject matter expert, which often I am and it’s self taught. To these crew members of mine, Autism is the reason for the Skills. Those Skills are the reason they look to me for many things. My tenure with the company and 20 years of total experience combined with all that are why I’m the go-to for a lot of things.

 

[Misty Avich]

Luckily for me, I don’t disclose directly as said. I don’t tell them, I let them come to me when they do put two and two together. Even then, I don’t answer “yes” directly but rather ask them “How did you manage to figure it out?”. The only reason the few who know figure it out is because when I’m at work, I’m extremely wired into my craft. I give information on other things as if I’m a subject matter expert, which often I am and it’s self taught. To these crew members of mine, Autism is the reason for the Skills. Those Skills are the reason they look to me for many things. My tenure with the company and 20 years of total experience combined with all that are why I’m the go-to for a lot of things.

I've never been sussed before. I've been asked if I have anxiety, depression, and ADHD, but nobody's ever mentioned autism. I have anxiety and ADHD (sometimes depression). But I've been asked if I have things I don't have, such as dyslexia.

 

[JayD210]

I've never been sussed before. I've been asked if I have anxiety, depression, and ADHD, but nobody's ever mentioned autism. I have anxiety and ADHD (sometimes depression). But I've been asked if I have things I don't have, such as dyslexia.

Honestly I’m shocked that I’m not diagnosed with Anxiety which I’ve always had that element. Hasn’t stopped me from doing much. I was raised in a manner by my Mom and Stepdad never to hold back. I am very surprised that I don’t PTSD between the things I’ve seen in my career, seeing things best left to imagination, and the abuse that my Dad subjected us to. That abuse was the cause of the addiction that cost me my oldest Sister. I’m honestly shocked I’m not in that boat.