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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

  • With any role where I’ve been tied to the spot I have struggled. Small things would bother me, like having to talk and be fake, having to sit in a different seat or at a different desk. Office work was the worst.
    I had a varied job in pathology, which was full time, and while it held my attention, the hours were too much and every 6 weeks we had to change to a different department. I found the change awful. The not knowing on the Monday would ruin my whole weekend, and even when I found out, and went to that department, it was as if i was ‘new’ and had to start over. It took me a week or do to get into the rhythm of it. 
    My current job isn’t great, but I am for the most part, left to my own devices, and I am able to move about whilst doing my role so I don’t feel so restricted. The downside, is that I am often searching for equipment at the start of my shift which causes extreme stress and anxiety. And there always the dread of finding out I have to do someone else’s job instead, or as well as my own, which causes more anxiety.  I feel I do well to manage it, but I really need to distress and give myself a lot of time to recover from each shift.

    I was self employed for at least 13 years at home. It was very, very hard, but also great. No one to answer to, no one to talk to, no surprises, I knew exactly what to do and when. The downside of that was I went out even less than I did before, and gradually it led to me being too insular and avoidant.

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  • With any role where I’ve been tied to the spot I have struggled. Small things would bother me, like having to talk and be fake, having to sit in a different seat or at a different desk. Office work was the worst.
    I had a varied job in pathology, which was full time, and while it held my attention, the hours were too much and every 6 weeks we had to change to a different department. I found the change awful. The not knowing on the Monday would ruin my whole weekend, and even when I found out, and went to that department, it was as if i was ‘new’ and had to start over. It took me a week or do to get into the rhythm of it. 
    My current job isn’t great, but I am for the most part, left to my own devices, and I am able to move about whilst doing my role so I don’t feel so restricted. The downside, is that I am often searching for equipment at the start of my shift which causes extreme stress and anxiety. And there always the dread of finding out I have to do someone else’s job instead, or as well as my own, which causes more anxiety.  I feel I do well to manage it, but I really need to distress and give myself a lot of time to recover from each shift.

    I was self employed for at least 13 years at home. It was very, very hard, but also great. No one to answer to, no one to talk to, no surprises, I knew exactly what to do and when. The downside of that was I went out even less than I did before, and gradually it led to me being too insular and avoidant.

Children
  • in reply to Catlover

    I can sympathise with the not knowing over the weekend. We have a rota for answering phone calls and I don't like not knowing if I will be on duty on the Monday if the rota was not available before I finished the week before. 

    That sounds a challenge starting regularly in a new department. I hate it if I don't know exactly what I am doing or where things are. It adds to the stress. I had intended picking up some stationery when I went in recently but the experience was so overwhelming, especially as things had moved I didn't remember.

    I also like it when I am left to my own devices, as I can then organise my tasks in an order I am happy with.