There was an item on BBC Breakfast about this which actually included an employer extolling the advanatges of employing poeple with Autistic minds. Then they spoilt it and talked about Autism as a disability My Autism made me really good at my job. I do not feel in the least bit disabled. It is my strength. The only real disadvantage was that I was a bit too honest with my bosses. I just needed to learn that something that was obvious to me, was not obvious to others who lacked my autistic abilities. The other trick I learned long before I was diagnosed was to take copious notes during meetings. It saved me from having to make or avoid eye contact whilst showing thst I am listening. I would like to think that the world will eventually change to suit us. Meanwhile, we will just have to use our autistic minds to trick the others into thinking we are like them.
There was an item on BBC Breakfast about this which actually included an employer extolling the advanatges of employing poeple with Autistic minds. Then they spoilt it and talked about Autism as a disability My Autism made me really good at my job. I do not feel in the least bit disabled. It is my strength. The only real disadvantage was that I was a bit too honest with my bosses. I just needed to learn that something that was obvious to me, was not obvious to others who lacked my autistic abilities. The other trick I learned long before I was diagnosed was to take copious notes during meetings. It saved me from having to make or avoid eye contact whilst showing thst I am listening. I would like to think that the world will eventually change to suit us. Meanwhile, we will just have to use our autistic minds to trick the others into thinking we are like them.
Neither do I, being autistic for me is a neurotype/difference, it gives me so many strengths that I wouldn't have if I wasn't neurodivergent. I love being autistic, I think our autistic experience is an advantage particularly because we are monotropic. All of the compliments I have received from my work experience have been thanks to my autistic brain, for example learning new skills really quickly, being really detail orientated, dedicated and thorough.
I totally agree with you. I did research - numbers, statistics, data analyses are made for me so how is something that helps give me these skills be a "disability"?
I was super honest with my bosses and they didn't like that, or me for doing it. My thought was, how can they not like to hear something that would improve the work and the organisation? I couldn't, and didn't, be someone different in order to fit in - that would be unproductive and also be living a lie.
The note taking is very me! My late dad, who I think had Autistic traits, told me about the importance of note taking because you can't remember everything. Sometimes I'd be the only one taking copious notes in staff meetings. Then, sometime later, colleagues would come to my desk to ask me about something that was said in the meeting; so ironically, note taking increased my dreaded interactions with colleagues!
I also read that if a person walks anywhere in their office, carrying papers or a file makes them look like they are in the midst of working on something and it's less likely they'll be bothered by a colleague wanting to chit chat. If a colleague still tried chatting, I could always say I'm in the middle of a task and draw attention to the papers or file I was carrying. The bonus points included making me look productive and devoted to my work!
