Disclosing potential ASD diagnosis at work

Hello all. I’m new here and hoped someone may be able to help me, or whether anyone has experience with this. I have searched the forum but couldn’t find anything quite like the issue I have. 

I have been in continuous employment at one company for the last 7 years. I am a female in my 30s. 

I am currently going through the autism diagnostic process with the NHS. I have completed Stage 1 and have been invited back for Stage 2, though I don’t have a date for this yet. 

I do intend to tell work if a diagnosis is confirmed, however something has come up and I may need to disclose this earlier than anticipated. 

Has anyone been in a situation like this before? Is it worth telling them even though I don’t know if it will be confirmed?

Parents
  • Hi

    I asked a question about disclosing at work about a month ago, and have received some helpful replies. There are a lot of stories that people have shared, and it may be helpful to you too to look at the different stories (disclosing or not disclosing and the different outcomes).

    https://community.autism.org.uk/f/adults-on-the-autistic-spectrum/15386/question-about-disclosing-at-work

    I suppose another question you are having is that you are still in the diagnosis process, and worry what will happen if the results don't turn out as expected?

  • I will have a look. 

    That’s correct. I don’t want to tell them in case it turns out to be negative. 

    I wanted advice about disclosing before getting a diagnosis as the company is making some redundancies and if they look at how awkward I can be with other people, and the various staff members I have had problems with, it will make it more likely that it will be me leaving the team. 

    I think I do have positives as well but I guess my thoughts are usually negative!

Reply
  • I will have a look. 

    That’s correct. I don’t want to tell them in case it turns out to be negative. 

    I wanted advice about disclosing before getting a diagnosis as the company is making some redundancies and if they look at how awkward I can be with other people, and the various staff members I have had problems with, it will make it more likely that it will be me leaving the team. 

    I think I do have positives as well but I guess my thoughts are usually negative!

Children
  • Well, like Eccentric1 said Equality Act 2010 states you do not need a diagnosis - so if you experience difficulties similar to ASD even though you don't have a diagnosis, they should try to make adjustments.

    On the other hand, I also think NAS24411 has a point. It's quite contradictory how life is. Because many jobs do list "good people skills" as a requirement. It'll be hard to make adjustments when a company is seeking someone with that particular skills set.

  • They are 'supposed' to be very sympathetic to disabled employees and you should only be put on a list after every possible way has been tried to save you - but in reality, you jump to the top of the list.  I''ve seen it too many times now.