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When work is challenging as an autistic

Homebird

I wonder what other people's experiences are.

I used to work in an office which wasn't too bad when I was in a small team. Then came hot desking which became less comfortable as there was always the decision where to sit. I guess I masked the difficulty to a certain extent. Then we moved to a completely open plan building. I had to develop strategies for coping, but often felt exhausted, particularly as no quiet spaces.

When lockdown arrived I breathed a sigh of relief as I worked from home at the same desk with familiar surroundings. Since then there have been challenges, but at least if I feel upset I have a private place.

I realised recently how important this was for me when the remote access broke down and we either had to take leave or go into the office. This caused panic. Fortunately I have told my employers about being autistic and I took a day off, but then had to go in. Being in made me realise what a challenge it is both because it is noisy, finding a seat and moving around with so many people. I was relieved after 2 hours to be told it had been sorted and I could return home. When I got home I relaxed. In the office I kept getting a blank feeling where I had to remember what I was doing. I don't think a lot of my colleagues understand why I prefer to be at home.

Parents

  • A few years ago, I spent three months working four days a week in a very noisy open-plan office. At the time I was not diagnosed autistic. I was beginning to think was on the spectrum, but was still very unsure. More than anything else, the awful experience of working in that office convinced me that I am autistic and that I needed a diagnosis. I would leave the office at the end of the day feeling as if I had been physically assaulted, incredibly exhausted and overwhelmed.

    I now work in a much smaller office (just me and my boss; occasionally other people pop in for a few minutes). This is much better, but I still feel quite overwhelmed by the end of the day, from masking and struggling against executive function issues. I'm looking into finding work I can do at home, although for financial reasons, that will probably be to supplement this job (it's part-time) rather than to replace it, at least in the short-term. But I do find work hard and make mistakes as a result, and I'm lucky that my boss is very laid-back.

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  • A few years ago, I spent three months working four days a week in a very noisy open-plan office. At the time I was not diagnosed autistic. I was beginning to think was on the spectrum, but was still very unsure. More than anything else, the awful experience of working in that office convinced me that I am autistic and that I needed a diagnosis. I would leave the office at the end of the day feeling as if I had been physically assaulted, incredibly exhausted and overwhelmed.

    I now work in a much smaller office (just me and my boss; occasionally other people pop in for a few minutes). This is much better, but I still feel quite overwhelmed by the end of the day, from masking and struggling against executive function issues. I'm looking into finding work I can do at home, although for financial reasons, that will probably be to supplement this job (it's part-time) rather than to replace it, at least in the short-term. But I do find work hard and make mistakes as a result, and I'm lucky that my boss is very laid-back.

Children