If you have autism, how can I make things easier for you at work?

[buffalamb]

We have had a very lovely new girl start with us recently, she has autism so can be a little hard to read as she doesn't talk very much. From your experience if you autism is there anything that you wish was/wasn t done? I really want to ensure she enjoys her time with us but I have no experience with asd so I'm unsure whether to keep talking to her to bring her out of herself (if you know what I mean) honestly any tips or advise would be well received

If you were doing a risk assessment on 10 people with broken hands you’d have to do 10 different assessments because they’re all different people with different abilities, ages, needs etc. while it’s lovely that you’re trying to do this please approach the person rather than look at the autism first. One size doesn’t fit all. I’ve taught many autistic pupils and have an autistic child, and, as with everyone else in life, every person who is or isn’t autistic is an individual with an individual personality and needs particular to them. I wouldn’t put a plan in place catering for something that they may not need to be catered for. As several posts have already said talk to her. As a general point the National Autistic Society will give some ideas.

I disagree with the posters saying 'ask her'.

That would be reasonable as her superior but I would be mortified and really quite offended if someone singled me out because they knew I was autistic. I would tread really carefully there.

I think people were saying that thinking the OP was the colleague's manager rather than her peer. I agree, as a peer, it wouldn't be a question to ask in the early stages - just offer support as you might do to any new joiner, 'let me know if you need help with anything.' The colleague has presumably disclosed her autism to the OP, or told the manager it is OK to share it with her new team, otherwise as a peer the OP wouldn't know about it.

Yes I did think op was manager/supervisor
nto sure how I would feel about a new colleague discussing my disabilities with me to be honest
I get on well with everyone at work and am very open but there a a few people who know more than other but I been there the longest so kind of the opposite problem we have new people join the team and I have to get to know them I can seem shy at first cos I not know what to say but I am always friendly

I recently started a job and was hired under a scheme the company is doing to help autistic people get jobs.
As a peer I've really enjoyed people reaching out to me as someone who's beginning a career vs because I'm autistic if that makes sense. People have offered help, guidance and email me whenever type offers, but as a new starter vs the token autistic even though I know that's probably why! It makes me feel more a part of the team rather than a weird charity hire!
And the manager and hr reached out re special adjustments.

As a peer just treat them kindly like you would anyone else really, maybe give hints of where is quieter place to have lunch etc little things new starters wouldn't know and maybe helpful to her.

If anyone tried to “bring me out of my shell” I’d quit! I’m quite happy not talking to anyone all day and tapping away. I’m not feeling isolated, sad, depressed, ignored - just happily silent.

You could say something like "I always tend to go to the staff room at 12.30 for lunch. Totally up to you if youd prefer to take lunch alone but if you ever do fancy company, that's the time I'll be there"

Then she can hopefully safely opt in and out to company at her leisure, and if she prefers silence/alone time at lunch, knows what time to avoid.

If she is already at lunch when you go in, and is reading, wearing g headphones or sitting with her back to the room, don't join her.

Good point. Some creatures were created to live in their shells.