Published on 12, July, 2020
Hi folks
Having had autism (strongly) and a side of ADHD show in a recent screening I’m split about whether to tell people, particularly at work.
I always thought other people were a bit boring, and that I just knew my own mind and what I liked/didn’t. Now it turns out it’s me who’s not ‘normal’.
Everything makes much more sense since the screening, but in many cases, I’ve masked this so effectively and for so long that I think many people will just doubt the screening result. Of the two people I told (by accident) when I’d done some online tests that showed autism, both their responses were a straight ‘no you aren’t.’
There are adjustments at work (opting out of social events and decreasing stimulus such heat/noise in the office) that would help, but I’m also wary of people giving me a label and that holding back my career.
What experience do others have of this situation?
Thanks for your time.
dunno... it can be a thing they can hold you back on... if you dont tell them they may see you as a good worker that is capable and deserving of a promotion.... if you tell them, they will just see you as a problem person who may not be able to handle things and probably cant handle any promotion and instead will demote you in a way and try to take tasks off you and thus opportunity off you too.have a guy at work whos quite clearly either autistic or schizophrenic, he doesnt need to tell anyone but its very obvious. hes capable and always was in charge of saturdays, but theyd never promote him due to his obvious differences and the assumption that because of that he couldnt handle it or wont be able to do it fast enough or wouldnt be able to cope with the pressure.