Tips for autistic people on entering the workplace

[mangomcjango2]

I have autism (Pathological Demand Avoidance specifically). I don't need to work right now, but in case I do in the future it would be great to have some tips from people who are knowledgeable or have first hand experience in working while having autism (or PDA). Please be polite. x

I have an autism diagnosis. Try to choose a job or career that plays to your individual strengths and does not trigger specific difficulties. For instance although I mask well, I find dealing with people exhausting. I now work in a job that is largely lone working and I love it (ecological recording - doing bird and plant surveys but ecology and nature and my specific interests) and can cope with the short times I need to deal with people. I previously worked in an office and the constant people meant I had a breakdown.

Also an autism diagnosis counts under disability discrimination, so employers aren't legally allowed to discriminate based on difficulties related to your autism /pda.

@Rowenberryjelly Thank you for your advice. PDA specifically is a difficult condition to have as it affects your ability to fulfil demands in the workplace. Your job sounds interesting (plus benefits of being able to be alone). As for the disability discrimination part, I guess my only worry is appearing "too normal" to require extra support, but "too autistic" to contribute enough to a company. It sounds bad and might not be reasonable, but it's my worry.

I guess my problem is that I know all of my weaknesses, but not a lot of my strengths haha. Thank you for replying x

I was diagnosed in my 40s and spent all my career before then struggling; severe anxiety and depression as I was trying to fit in (not that anyone knew). My mask was good.

My diagnosis has made a HUGE difference. I am very open with it as I’m fed up with people misinterpreting my intentions Or reading something into a facial expression that’s not there. It has also been a revelation that non-verbal communication is such a big thing in the NT world - something that I don’t get at all.

Adjustment have been made which have helped reduce meltdowns/shutdowns. And now can really gauge people by the way the respond when I tell them (I have a mental bingo card as there are so many predictable responses - you have to realise that these are borne from their ignorance and never ever doubt yourself). But some people respond in the most positive way and that gives you a real feeling of acceptance.

So my advice is be open, obviously you need to try as hard as possible BUT SO DO THEY. it’s a 50/50 thing. If you are judged, it’s a reflection of them, not you.

But as said by previous posters, get a role playing to your strengths/interests - I am very very lucky in this respect.

@Scautish I'm always very interested in people who got a later diagnosis- my family has a history of autism but most of them don't want to get officially diagnosed (it's very apparent they have autism though, my grandpa has essentially every symptom in the book, but is also a bit of a savant). Due to the nature of my autism I didn't get diagnosed as a toddler, which is I think the time most people get diagnosed.

Do you mind me asking what you do? I'm trying to find some jobs that autistic people feel "fit" well with them (not that it would fit every autistic person, but I hope you understand what I mean). I have the intention of becoming a SAHM after my studies in the next few years, but would like to keep the avenue of getting a job open for afterwards, just in case I decide I want to do it.

I hope you enjoy your work and thank you for responding xx

Lately I have been thinking that I have a low level of autism. How do I get tested? Is it worth getting tested? I struggle with people 'getting' me. I mask extremely well, but I am sad a lot of the time. I get depressed and the thought of telling my family fills me with dread, but they may also realise why Im like I am

Can someone please help or advise me?

@HelpOrHindrance If you want my honest advice getting diagnosed does help but it's not absolutely vital. If the label is important to you, or you need some kind of evidence in relation to work then I'd advise you get it, but if it's just for your own self clarity then a mental health professional saying it's likely is usually enough to get by on.

Not sure how old you are but if by any chance you're going through the child / adolescent element of the NHS then I'd say beware. They didn't acknowledge I had autism, or depression, or even anxiety (all things that I definitely have, and most of which I have been medicated or been in counselling for). Don't feel depressed if you're autistic- it's not a life ruining or even damaging condition, it just means you have to look after yourself in different aspects to other people. You can still experience and achieve everything you want to, you just might understand why you do things the way you do a little bit better.

As for telling your family, I'd say if you think they will be supportive then it will absolutely help you to get it off your chest (as well as help alleviate some stigma you may have internalised). However, there is no requirement to tell your family - I told mine, and it never did me any favours. Additionally, it may be quite difficult to get a diagnosis if you're female (autism is commonly under diagnosed and represented). However, if a diagnosis is important to you then just keep pushing! Good luck, and feel free to drop me a message if you ever need any advice or help with being / possibly being autistic. xx

@bananabeachhouse I’m not going to say what I do as there’s not that many of us and though I always post under this name on the assumption that I’ll be recognised, I don’t want to reveal more info than necessary.

I also have to say I really dislike the expression “label”. There is such a negative implication with its use. For me it’s not a label, it’s just a fundamental part of me and I am not ashamed. I think society needs to be made so much more aware of what autism (in its many forms) actually is. Hiding is not an option for me.

I do recognise however that I was extremely lucky to be not only referred but also assessed- and assessed at a place where they understood that females can present differently. I know, other than the long painful wait, my path to diagnosis was more straightforward than others. And it without a doubt has made a fundamental positive difference to my career.

@Scautish Fair enough, sorry if it was too probing a question! As for the label part I definitely see what you mean- we shouldn't need to box ourselves in to make parts of ourselves more easily digestible. However, I say label as more simply a description- i.e. "brown haired" or "long-legged" are both labels of what a person can be, as in my opinion can autistic. But I agree, it is a fundamental part of who we are as people in general, rather than a subcategory of how we fit into society.

I'm glad you had an easier referral process, it makes me feel happy to know women are getting easier and more straightforward ASD referrals - hopefully this will be a catalyst towards a big change around the stigma of ASD, particularly in females xx