Adjustments on grad scheme for autism

[MoominPyjamas]

Hi,
I'm currently studying for a masters whilst working in the industry on placement. It is not related to a STEM subject. There is so much emphasis on networking and 'putting yourself out there'. Things also change on the course at short notice all the time. I'm going to approach the university to suggest some reasonable adjustments they might like to offer autistic students.
My lecturer said that autistic students would just have to get used to it and it would 'get easier over time' which I think shows that they don't get it. When things feel intolerable, this feeling rarely gets any less intense.
I'm trying to get them to think around the idea of students reaching out to others to find opportunities and maybe students could get a list of tasks instead to demonstrate capability. I'm great at getting things done, and completing things to a high standard but loathe hanging around, smiling at people hoping that they offer to let me shadow or work alongside them. The whole thing is designed for extroverts. Everyone has praised my work and dedication, so I think there's more than one way to skin a cat, as so to speak.
Basically I want to say, there are days when I will need to work remotely if this does not effect my productivity, please can the team meetings (just for other students) be run formally so there's less anxiety around what is happening and whether I have to speak or present, can they just allocate me work or people to shadow each day and could I skip all the conferences/ schmoozing type events? I'd rather do anything else. But I feel this seems too much.
Sometimes I feel that the world has forgotten that the core trait of autism is a difficulty in how we communicate and interact with the world. It's not just about bloody lights and textures! I could do this for a million years and speaking to someone I don't know who looks busy will always be hellish!

What’s the masters/placement/industry?

the difficulty is whether the social/networking side is core to the role/industry? If it is; I would suggest moving to a role that doesn’t put so much pressure on people skills and networks. Have you thought of becoming a developer / IT etc? That would v much for the bill in terms of the things you like / avoids the stuff you find challenging.

if it’s just for a course then makes sense that you could seek adjustments although you seem to suggest everyone changes the way they work/run meetings to suit your needs which may or may not be reasonable, depending on the nature of the work. Worth asking though.

The issue for you will come back to how you’ll adapt to the world of work and be making a plan for beyond your course; there are certain industries more attractive to people with additional needs than others. Many private sector employers will pay lip service to equality laws but ultimately expect your face to fit etc.

@Muthaofcats I don't want to work in IT. I want to be a nurse. In reality I'll do very little shadowing in the actual job. It's just part of the placement thing.

Got you! Well we need nurses so it’s great to hear that’s your passion; and you’d think that would be well suited to a task based type role that didn’t require networking. Are you being given assistance to help develop the interpersonal side of the role? As I suspect that’s really important in any caring industry? More so than schmoozing and networking id imagine?

you’d hope the nhs was better at making reasonable adjustments than others but I assume there are certain key requirements of the role that you will need to be able to demonstrate if working with vulnerable people. Worth a conversation with your head of the course for sure to see what could be done. I’d suggest it being done in an exploratory way rather than any criticism of their failing to meet your needs to date. I’m sure they’ll be grateful for any feedback about how to make the course and industry more accessible.

good luck with it !

I'm really good at 1:1 stuff but bothering busy people to ask if I hang around awkwardly whilst they work is different!

Does the university not have inclusion plan system? Because most do. This should mean assessments get adjusted for the student. I wouldn't bother with going to the uni with a list to cover all autistic students because the needs of each student differ quite a bit. Just ask for an inclusion plan.

Yes there should be an inclusion team. I was just coming to say this! Sometimes student disability and wellbeing or just one of those.

If you Google "autism" and the name of your university something should come up.

These guys will know and will be able to advise and support you/your tutors in a way that fits their system. You won't at all be the first so do ask.

Good luck with the training, odd that nursing training is a free for all with you having to find people to follow each day. Normally from my experience a trainee nurse will have an allocated mentor who will then lead on planning their day. It would seem reasonable to ask for a similar process of a planned allocated mentor for each placement for you to plan your learning with. Best of luck

Are you on placement on a ward or are you doing an access to nursing course?

I’ve never known anything about networking for nurse training. And I’m a Practice Supervisor and have worked with unis for undergrad interviews. Is this post grad?

Id recommend Critical Care. Totally focused on one patient for 12 hours, need a very high standard level and be able to perform under pressure. I worked for 10 years in ITU and loved it

I think your'll to be more specific, talk to your tutor about which bits you find hard and either offer alternatives or ask further help to create alternatives. Are you also getting support from the university sn section?

You can do it OP! I worked as a nurse for 15 years, and recently diagnosed with AuDHD. I never quite realised why I was a bit different, but it all makes sense now. There are definitely areas of nursing suited to you, and not all patients want a super extroverted nurse. I am also much better in 1:1 and work very diligently, except when the ADHD kicks in. Do not let the attitude of your lecturer put you off, they have a responsibility to ensure you are supported through the course. At a university, there will be a team dedicated to supporting you with this and I'd really encourage you to speak to them.

I'm not a nurse now, but I have been working for 25 years at this stage. I have always avoided networking in person and concentrated on online and forums. It works for me, as the more I respect myself and my needs, the more others take me as I am.