Disclosing potential ASD diagnosis at work

It can be a bit of a double sword to be honest 

I was formally diagnosed as an adult 5 years ago with ASD/ Aspergers. It was disclosed to my work and a set of reasonable adjustments was agreed between them and the occupational health, although they never really bothered implementing them.

on a normal day you would not know about my condition as I come across as quite a forthright person, but part of the reasonable adjustments that were agreed with my work were that people I work with should have an awareness about my condition and I talk I. A very blunt, factual manner without any emotion or empathy. It was also part of the reasonable adjustments that people should be aware that I may say things that others may not consider socially acceptable. I have always been upfront about my condition since diagnoses but I find that people just stick there heads in the sand when you mention it.

i moved to a different area in my work in 2017 and immeadiately disclosed to my new manager about my condition and offered him copies of my medical reports and diagnosis as well as a copy of the agreed reasonable adjustments and he just refused to look at them and said they did not concern him.

I was working well in my job until early 2018 when I came back in the office and found someone talking badly about me to another member of staff. I told her several times not to do that as it was unprofessional but she carried on. I told her I would advise her not to carry on as I would take action (meaning I would formally report her) and she replied is that meant to be a threat and I said no “it’s advice”

At some point after that she reported me for threatening her and I was suspended for using inappropriate language to her and the context of her allegation was exactly the same word I had used. I tried to explain it was in the nature of my condition as to how I spoke to people and that my manager had refused to see or implement the reasonable adjustments, but that was ignored and I was suspended. That was nearly 15 months ago and I am still suspended and they are now using the Autism as an excuse to not let me back to my job. They have said that until all my work colleagues have received training from the National Autistic society they won’t consider letting me back and that training cannot be provided by the NAS for 6 months due to a backlog, not sure how true that is though as they said that in March and appear not to have arranged anything as of yet.

I have also been told that even after my work colleagues have training, that I then have to attend a mediation session with they to see if they can accept working with me due to my condition.

So although it is best to disclose it, in my case they have used my diagnosis and condition to discriminate against me.

It can be a bit of a double sword to be honest 

I was formally diagnosed as an adult 5 years ago with ASD/ Aspergers. It was disclosed to my work and a set of reasonable adjustments was agreed between them and the occupational health, although they never really bothered implementing them.

on a normal day you would not know about my condition as I come across as quite a forthright person, but part of the reasonable adjustments that were agreed with my work were that people I work with should have an awareness about my condition and I talk I. A very blunt, factual manner without any emotion or empathy. It was also part of the reasonable adjustments that people should be aware that I may say things that others may not consider socially acceptable. I have always been upfront about my condition since diagnoses but I find that people just stick there heads in the sand when you mention it.

i moved to a different area in my work in 2017 and immeadiately disclosed to my new manager about my condition and offered him copies of my medical reports and diagnosis as well as a copy of the agreed reasonable adjustments and he just refused to look at them and said they did not concern him.

I was working well in my job until early 2018 when I came back in the office and found someone talking badly about me to another member of staff. I told her several times not to do that as it was unprofessional but she carried on. I told her I would advise her not to carry on as I would take action (meaning I would formally report her) and she replied is that meant to be a threat and I said no “it’s advice”

At some point after that she reported me for threatening her and I was suspended for using inappropriate language to her and the context of her allegation was exactly the same word I had used. I tried to explain it was in the nature of my condition as to how I spoke to people and that my manager had refused to see or implement the reasonable adjustments, but that was ignored and I was suspended. That was nearly 15 months ago and I am still suspended and they are now using the Autism as an excuse to not let me back to my job. They have said that until all my work colleagues have received training from the National Autistic society they won’t consider letting me back and that training cannot be provided by the NAS for 6 months due to a backlog, not sure how true that is though as they said that in March and appear not to have arranged anything as of yet.

I have also been told that even after my work colleagues have training, that I then have to attend a mediation session with they to see if they can accept working with me due to my condition.

So although it is best to disclose it, in my case they have used my diagnosis and condition to discriminate against me.