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New job and Autism

Castle

So I'm proud to say I have recently passed my PCV driving test which means I can now drive buses/coaches for a living.  The only problem is that during a conversation amongst three of us one of my new bosses overheard me tell my new work colleague I'm Autistic. I only mentioned it because he said his son was so I understand things can be difficult.

Now firstly I don't allow myself to be held back on anything I want to achieve even though I struggle in social situations at times and it's usually the bigger the crowd the worst it will be, but generally one to one I'm not too bad.  

I was looking forward to learning the new routes for my new bus driving job when one of the managers suggested it might be a good idea to let people know about my autism when I'm working with them something I feel a little uncomfortable about. It's not that I'm ashamed of being autistic as that's a big part of me, but because not a lot of the general public know much about us, it does make me want to keep my diagnosis to myself as I don't want people treating or speaking to me differently than they do to others. Not only that I don't want it to be an excuse to get rid of me after my probation period even though I stuck my last job out 22 years.

I don't know if I've put my problem across in an easy to understand format but what I'm basically trying to say is - 'would you keep your diagnosis to yourself? Or let people know when you work with them?  When people meet me I don't think they'd even know unless they lived with me as I'm very good at masking so I don't see the point in telling people.  The reason I had a referral a few years ago was to see for my own benefit and understanding why I am the way I am and seeked a professionals diagnosis.

Hope everyone is well I've not been on here for a while.

  • Perhaps look to just saying something to someone you trust at work and see how it goes.  That's what I did and I didn't tell them to keep it quiet so others got told, but from a trustworthy source if that makes sense.  People reacted to me in different ways, some distanced themselves, some were very kind and understanding as they realised I'm not a threat to them.  Over time, they seem to accept me.  I keep reminding myself that not everyone can be my friend, but not to worry to much about it.

  • That is an excellent  question for debate my friend.  I always worry as my son has aspbergers and I worry he'll be taken advantage by others so there is that also there is a lot if ignorance still and another thing people might treat you different its like they now just see a disability and not a person. However it's kinda hard to keep it on the down low and under the radar as you have to explain in some circumstances and disclose that you have autism incase someone forms the opinion that you're lazy or rude etc etc..so it's different for each person and I don't think there is an answer for that reason.