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late diagnosis, workplace assessment, impact on career?

Y

Hi all,

Although I don't have a diagnosis yet, I've realised in the past year that a lot of my experiences in relationships and at work might be related to being on the autism spectrum (I'm 39 btw). I've had an appointment with my GP a year ago (pre covid) and she assessed and referred me, but they rejected my referral because I now live in a different borough. Obviously haven't seen a GP since covid started so haven't been able to get a new referral.

Fast forward to now where I've had an excruciating year of working in a new job virtually, being bullied and almost pushed out by my previous very manipualtive manager, and have never felt so out of place and paranoid in my entire life (I mean I have most of my life, but this tops everything). Does anyone else find virtual working worse? I don't really pick up information from listening to it on a call, and I am mostly unclear of what I'm meant to be doing, find social interaction even more awkward, feel constantly excluded from meetings and at the end I'm just on the margins while other people do all the stuff, despite my over 10 years of work experience and 3-4 degrees. I'm signed off for anxiety and depression now after a recent team change (there's a lot of change where I work and I think I just couldn't hack it anymore and hardly slept, plus changing to yet a new patronising and over-bearing manager after a month of being managed by a woman who was brilliant but got promoted) and am re-considering getting assessed properly and perhaps doing it through my workplace.

My question is, will there be any backlash / impact on my career and prospects? Are there any legislative disadvantages to having been diagnosed? It's been a long and ardous path to just get to where I am now and I don't want to make it more difficult. I've previously disclosed mental health stuff at a previous job and it resulted in me getting lots of work taken off me and not being trusted with anything and being treated weirdly by my manager - when actually my main gripe with any work is that I never get included or any high profile stuff and can't see myself making progress or having an impact while watching others get all the opportunities and that depressing me.

Would really appreciate any advice from anyone who's gone through the process and how it's impacted their work!

Y

  • in reply to NAS71266

    400 would be very low. more like 800 - 1200 quid

  • in reply to Elizabeth

    I'm sure it probably depends on the school and there are probably exceptions that prove this rule, but overall I would say education is possibly the most positive field to be more openly autistic in that I can think of.

    I've been teaching for over a decade and have taught huge numbers of ASC students and been on any number of training courses (some better than others) on the subject. It's just not possible to work in education and not be "exposed", for want of a better word, to some aspect of autism on a daily basis. That has to be a benefit for openly autistic staff.

  • in reply to Dan

    Dan, it is interesting you said that. I work in education as well and I have been trying to decide whether to disclose, and I’ve chatted about it with multiple fellow teachers who have said I should go for it and they don’t foresee any problems arising.

    I feel the same way you do: I think the field of education is unusual in that autism training and awareness is a required part of our qualification process and continued education. I’m grateful for that.

    Elizabeth

  • It may or may not impact you negatively at work, but, if it does you have legal recourse.

    You're already feeling bullied. Could being able to say "Im disabled, and you are breaking the law by treating me this way" make things worse?  If you get your diagnosis, it will not only validate that it's not your "fault", it will open doors for treatment- that could make things a lot better. With diagnosis one can access the services supporting more effective function, to feel better, and to do the things intelligence alone could not provide- things like having better relationships with people. Those things all make work, and managing the pressures of work, easier. 

    Any reasonable adjustments you need... they may not cost the earth, and to be honest, you're not the only person who they make reasonable adjustments for! 

    You would be entitled to support, and as it would be a new diagnosis AtW would pay for your initial support without contribution from your employer.

    If this were diabetes, you wouldn't worry about diagnosis, would you? Autism is not a character fault- it's a disorder, but, it doesn't just gives us problems, it also gives us strengths. You have no reason to be ashamed of yourself, and, your employer has no legitimate reason to view you less favourably. If they do, they are guilty of discrimination and you could pursue that.

    I know for myself I felt awkward when first asserting my rights, so I have had help from my union. 

    Ultimately tho, it's up to you and I hope you can find the decision that you feel comfortable with. 

  • in reply to aidie

    Thanks yeah looks like general diagnosis outside of work might be a good idea and see what comes of it, I'll try and get something via my new GP - they can hopefully refer remotely. As for mental health stuff, that's been with me since age 13 and I've been in an out of various different types of therapy since age 18 and on an off medication for the last 3 years - never really been diagnosed with anything, but probably more a reaction to me struggling with deciphering and navigating social dynamics all my life and that making personal and professional contexts a recurring challenge...

  • I was once where you are. I am 41. I got diagnosed by my employer 4 years ago. I then subsequently sued my employer for £40'000. I then did the PIP applications....got refused and went to a benefit tribunal. I won on appeal. I now get high rate everything.

    If you are having trouble with being bullied and you are confident of your diagnosis, I advise paying for it privately. Will cost you £400. Get a cancellation if possible.

    AUTISM is a disability and as such you  will be covered by disability discrimination laws.  You do not have to declare autism on any job application...

  • in reply to .......

    I was once where you are. I am 41. I got diagnosed by my employer 4 years ago. I then subsequently sued my employer for £40'000. I then did the PIP applications....got refused and went to a benefit tribunal. I won on appeal. I now get high rate everything.

    If you are having trouble with being bullied and you are confident of your diagnosis, I advise paying for it privately. Will cost you £400. Get a cancellation if possible.

    AUTISM is a disability and as such you  will be covered by disability discrimination laws.  You do not have to declare autism on any job application...

  • in reply to .......

    That is such a shame to hear and I'm so sorry that has been your experience

  • I only recently got my diagnosis, so I haven't told work yet, but I wouldn't have any particular issues with telling them. I am probably in a better position than most as I work in education, so there is more awareness of autism in general and the possible accommodations they can make. 

    I can imagine in certain workplaces that might have a more "old fashioned" view of autism, it might be more of an issue.

  • On the work front - I was very productive self employed sole trader with two ventures running. No I can barely function - producing what I used to be able to do in a day - now takes weeks.

  • Yes - there will. You will lose friends, people will see you as broken, do not do it. Respect for you will plummet. Emglish people at their heart level are mostly ableist. They do see it as a fault. Please just carry on as you are. 

    It is the biggest regret of my life. Actually it is the only regret in my life. Imagine - your entire existence being unravelled and deleted. 

  •  yes it will, impact how the company views you, for a start it costs them money if u do it through work.

    what happened to u in past is very likely to happen again 

    I think u need to deal with the anxiety and depression as they are more damaging

    i would go for the diagnosis and see what is said about you.  If it is autism u could easily be moved to something lighter.

    getting a diagnosis should protect u more but each employer is so different and yours doesnt sound good --- I mean the managers are nasty.

    a diagnosis is good for u,, as u will know what the issue is,,,as for your work relationships u are throwing a dice 

    the employer should make allowances for u as an autistic but some employers dont know what to do and over react. 

    i feel really out of depth guessing what your employer will do.

    if u do get an autism diagnosis be careful who u tell keep it to a very strict minimum.