Views on Autism Awareness poster from other adult Aspies

It's a bit awkward and over simplistic, but it's probably difficult to do anything but generalise. That said, I don't have any problems with the suggestions-I think they're all things pretty much included on my 'disability access plan' with my university (not that I'm sure I'd describe having ASD as a disability for me, but it is helpful to have clear agreements in writing) except the last one, and personally having a 'buddy' at functions would be okay for me (and in fact my university does offer a 'buddy system' for new students with ASD). I mean, I don't generally go to them, but I might if there was someone who didn't mind me following them round and helping me get into conversations, because that is something I really struggle with and a big reason I don't go-because I end up stood on the sidelines not being able to talk to anyone.

I work for a disability foundation, handling the whole range of physical and learning disabilities and autism, and even there the knowledge about autism is pretty poor.  I tell everyone at work that I'm autistic because I want them to know that if my behaviour seems odd to them in any way there is quite possibly a good reason for it.  In other jobs, prior to diagnosis, I used to get pulled up for not being able to cope with periods of high pressure (deadlines) and often for not appearing to pay attention when actually, I was - but, as I've said on another thread, I can appear to 'zone out'.  Also, I have a tendency to focus so much on one particular task that I can let other things slip by me.  For instance, in office roles, I was often so taken up with doing some task or other that I simply would not notice that the phone was ringing, and people used to think I was simply ignoring it.  Or someone would be constantly calling my name and I wouldn't notice (Wake up! Is there anyone at home?' is something I've heard a lot over my lifetime).  My employer's and colleagues' knowledge of my condition at least enables them to make some allowances for me.

I see what you mean about options 1 to 3, though I think they have particular relevance with autistic people.  I tend to take things literally if I'm told something, so I need it to be clear and concise.  I can usually rely on my own knowledge, initiative and commonsense in most situations - unless someone is giving me a particular instruction.  Then... I do what they tell me.  And if they haven't given me the complete instruction, I will go on doing what they've told me long past the time to switch to the next task.  I don't think 2 is impossible for everybody.  Less than 10% of communication is verbal, and I've worked in environments where much communication takes place through gesture and expression - stuff that I miss most of the time, even though I've 'learned' a few things by now.  As for 3, I've had a meltdown at work which got mistaken for violent aggression, earning me a reprimand.  It was nothing of the sort, of course.  It was release for a heightened state of anxiety which built up very quickly because of the circumstances at the time.  What's curious about that is that it happened in an autism unit, where some of the service users exhibited extremely challenging behaviour - upon which occasions staff did what it says at 3, and simply gave people space and time to recover without making any undue fuss.  There's a difference between autistic anxiety and agitation expressing itself and someone simply losing their temper.  I also wouldn't want a 'buddy' - but I can imagine working environments where autistic people might find it useful.  My local branch of Morrison's has a couple of autistic people on staff (both with very mild learning disabilities), and they have an allocated staff member that they can both go to if they have any issues.

Chris Packham is a broadcaster, TV presenter and author - and also the NAS's ambassador.

I think the poster isn't great - but I still think something is better than nothing.  Even if people don't take much notice of it, they won't take any notice of it at all if it isn't there to be taken notice of.

Just some guy said:

I think having protection under the Equality Act is useful

Just some guy said:

At the same time I don't tell people at work.

I take it this means that you've let your employers know (so that you have that protection), but you don't tell your colleagues.  Is that right?

As I am the only autistic person I know of in my workplace (although there are those who are bipolar and have ADHD so have similar problems in certain areas), I would have to tailor the poster by wording what applies to me and getting rid of the bits that don't, which would be a simple thing to do.

Unfortunately, it is very difficult to be 'general' with autism, there are always going to be bits that don't apply to specific individuals.  And I would dislike a 'buddy' which would be certain to cause distress to me.

It's.. not very good. In a professional environment people wouldn't know its relevance to them, wouldn't know who is autistic or how to find out, wouldn't see the list of challenges as anything unusual and would identify with many of the strengths themselves.

The 'How to help' section is laughable. Options 1 and 3 apply to any work interaction, 2 is impossible for everybody, even autistic people and 4 is just bizarre.

Finally, who is Chris Packham anyway?

Still, the thought was there. I just wouldn't advocate for putting that poster up anywhere that I work.

I think having protection under the Equality Act is useful and the limitations on social interaction definitely make it harder to progress in a career or build a family. So I don't mind it being described as a disability.

At the same time I don't tell people at work. I don't want them to treat me as disabled, I do want to do the job I was employed to do even though I do have Aspergers and I do want to address the behaviours and limitations that prevent me doing it better.

So I wouldn't put up the poster for my own benefit. I would engage with the internal communications team to suggest they do something for the week.

I also have a problem with the word disability. I know that for some autistic people it is, and that it being acknowledged as such helps them get the support they need, but I definitely do not see myself as disabled. If anything I see myself as more able than others in my workplace as I make fewer mistakes. Actually the guys I work with find it hilarious if they know I've made a mistake, and I make a joke of it too. I was lucky that I got to know my work colleagues before I discovered I was an Aspie and it's not really been an issue at work. Some people were surprised to find out, but nobody made a thing of it. The knowledge I've gained from my reading about the differences between Autistic and NT brains had helped me understand myself and my colleagues better and I know how to look after myself now. I do think that Chris Packham and other well known people who are "coming out" as autistic are doing a good thing in trying to rid us of the clichéd stereotypes, but I'm not sure that a poster will change the views of people who already have set views on what autism is.

I will actually forward that to the NT's and agree it is classed as a disability/impairment under the Equality Act 2010.  These lifelong mental health conditions are just that, conditions.  For most of us adults, it is hidden from us until something occurs and I wish others were more thoughtful as I would have known 8-10 years ago if someone had said something.  I always knew I was different, thought I was like Stephen Fry with Bipolar but turns out I have Autistic Spectrum Condition not yet diagnosed.

www.autism.org.uk/.../workplace-poster.aspx

What poster are talking about?

Where is a copy of it on internet?

On the whole, yes - though I don't like the idea of having a workplace 'buddy' either, and certainly wouldn't want one.

The other thing is that I still get hung up on the term 'disability'.  I know the condition is disabling in varying degrees for many people, of course.  But it's largely a social construct.  Because I experience the world and respond to it in a way that is different to 99% of other people, does that necessarily mean I'm 'disabled'?  I'd sooner they'd used the term 'lifelong condition', but that's probably just me being picky.  I'm glad that some of the research now - such as with predictive coding - seems to be moving away from the language of 'impairments' and more towards seeing autism as a different way of processing and responding to input (which it always has been).

I will download it and put it up on the noticeboard at work.  I was speaking to a few colleagues in the week, and it's clear that their understanding of autism is still largely based on pop culture stereotypes and other misconceptions.  I've also got one colleague who annoys me by going on about his 'autism' all the time in a way that I find quite demeaning.  To me, he very clearly is not autistic - though he claims, because he is dyslexic, that it automatically means he is.  I've tried to point out to him that non-autistic people can have dyslexia, but he just ignores it.  He always talks about it in jokey terms.  'My autism means I can't do that,' he'll say, laughing.  And also 'No one could be as nuts as I am and not be autistic.'