Is discussing what it is like to be Autistic with Neurotypical people an exercise in futility?

Well, judging by my experiences in trying to convince the neurotypical staff and management at my workplace - an autism care charity with mandatory training for all staff in understanding autism - it is most definitely a waste of time.

I've spoken at length to them.  I've written pieces to help them get at least some perspective.  I've done all sorts of stuff.  Most of this was done, too, in order to help them to understand why I have behaved in what, to them, is clearly such an extreme manner in reaction to bullying at work.  By going sick!  And by staying sick!  And by showing symptoms of, as my GP observed, PTSD.  Simply through getting shouted at and having a few passive-aggressive remarks made to me.  Gosh, how over-over-over sensitive I am!

Brought into sharper focus today, during the Occupational Health interview they'd set up for me with an independent work relations organisation.

'They don't seem to know what to do for the best,' said the woman, 'and are looking for any suggestions.'

She said she was intrigued that they sent her my job description, drawing attention to the fact that one of my job roles is to 'deal with challenging behaviour.'  She said she could only impute from that that they were saying I ought, then, to also be able to deal with a challenging colleague.

This seems to be the best they can do.

So I say again.  If that's how they are... then what hope have we got of improving understanding in people who have even less of a clue?

Martian Tom said:

an autism care charity with mandatory training for all staff in understanding autism

Yeah, but what's the quality of the training and how well "stuck to" and emphasised is it by management?  Is there periodic refresher training etc. etc?

It's care sector training, Windscale.  Which means much of it is c r a p.  A great deal of it is online: courses you take during spare moments, and which are tested by answers that you give again and again and again until you get enough right.  Just keep going through the permutations.

My point is... if they give you training specifically focusing on understanding autism, and the people giving the training (such as Behavioural Support Managers) clearly themselves don't understand it properly, then what's the point at all?

I think it would be a waste of time.  You're still trying to basically tell dogs what it's like to live as a cat.  At the end of it, though, they'll still be dogs - and still expect you to go chasing after sticks, etc.

Our behaviour manager at work hosted a workshop for newly-diagnosed Aspies back in the summer.  Even with all of us there, and her assailed by our stories and experiences... she still doesn't get it.  Not really.  I'm sure she thinks I'm over-reacting to the issues at work.  Witness the fact that they've drawn attention to my job role as 'dealing with challenging behaviour'.  To them, it's probably just another aspect of challenging behaviour I should be dealing with.

Could you deliver the training?

Yep.  Don't ever wind up in a 'care' home.  Basic compliance.

Yep.  Don't ever wind up in a 'care' home.  Basic compliance.