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Adult revealing autism at interviews?

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Hello everyone. Thanks for being so welcoming yesterday. I'm wondering if you can help me. People at work have cottoned on to my autism and have been making life difficult. I have left and I know that in my line work there will be verbal references about me, so I am thinking of explaining at my interviews that, although I am not diagnosed, it is likely that I am autistic. What do you think of this approach? What information should I have to hand? How should I educate myself about how "normal" people see autistic people? So far I know about reasonable adjustments, the Equality Act and harassment, from the .gov website. What else will I need? It would be a shame to throw away my career because of this. At least if I tell them, they can decide whether they want to employ me. I feel like I have fewer cards to play, but perhaps I have a new card - diversity. Does this card work? Thanks, and have a great day! Slight smile

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  • It's been my experience (for what it's worth) that telling potential employers I'm autistic makes my chances of getting a job far lower. I've tested this a couple of times, when I tell people I rarely hear back, when I kept the lid on my diagnosis, thanks to masking as well, I usually hear back. Autism is like a taboo word for a lot of employers, they hear it and the interview is pretty much over at that point.

    I would love to be in a world where we could share our diagnosis and use it as a strength, but I don't think that's how it is for a lot of us. Autism can be an advantage in the workplace but there's a stigma attached to it, my gran thinks only violent people can be autistic, the ones who act out and I fear a lot of people agree with that.

    I work as a writer now, I got the job, but didn't reveal my diagnosis and still haven't to my boss or my colleagues. 

  • in reply to Disnep

    Thanks Disnep, I'm sorry to hear that you have tried and tested what I am about to go through with the results you speak of. It's sad that "normal" people think of autism as something to close the door on, and that you have had to keep it under wraps. it is very good of you to have shared this so that I can find my way. I think for my interview next week I will work on my "Regular Joe" approach. 

    Funny you mention writing. This is something I have picked up since being off work. I always seem to have something to note down, usually in poetry. Perhaps I could write and get paid. Best wishes.

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  • in reply to Disnep

    Thanks Disnep, I'm sorry to hear that you have tried and tested what I am about to go through with the results you speak of. It's sad that "normal" people think of autism as something to close the door on, and that you have had to keep it under wraps. it is very good of you to have shared this so that I can find my way. I think for my interview next week I will work on my "Regular Joe" approach. 

    Funny you mention writing. This is something I have picked up since being off work. I always seem to have something to note down, usually in poetry. Perhaps I could write and get paid. Best wishes.

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