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How to explain how you think to your employer

ByteBandit

Hello,

I need some pointers to articles for my boss that help to explain why it is that I have little difficulty with technical tasks, but cannot get my head around business concepts and processes. 

I'm 40, HFA, have been in my current job for 5 years, survived three rounds of layoffs and am employed as a senior software developer in a small team.

I am happy in the job, it is extremely accomodating of me personally and my family needs but I recently said that I was unhappy with the work because of the lack of engagement. Had a meeting, another one next week.

The lack of engagement is because a lot of the work is fairly menial (comparatively speaking) and/or I lack the comprehension required to do the work properly and whilst I can do the bulk of the work through brute force, it invariably goes to somebody else to be fixed, which I find really quite soul destroying and competence questioning.

The areas where I excel are the ones that are more free of business specifics and tend to be more technical.

My boss does not understand how such a seemingly contradictory state of affairs can exist. I don't think this is disbelief, just doesn't understand.

I have spent hours trying to find a down to Earth article, that is reputable and recent to explain how I think differently, the visual nature of my thoughts, the somewhat haphhazard memory which is simultaniously the font of my creativity, etc.

I describe myself as a software developer, but honestly, it feels more like being a digital artiste. I work 9-5, but I think 24x7, ideas just pop into my head, 'visions' will appear like some shadowy image somewhere between 'me' and the inside of my eyes. Yet it took 4 1/2 years to learn which of the two top draws has socks and which has pants.

How do you explain this to a lay person? I keep coming across Temple Grandin articles, but they are old and lengthy.

Any help appreciated.

Parents

  • Hi Longman

    Thank you for your messages.
     
    I think you make some very valid points about the content of the fact sheets and some very good suggestions too.
     
    The aim of the fact sheets is to give a general introduction to autism.  We have created them in a short and easy-to-read format because otherwise employers may not take the time to read the information.  The challenge this brings is that autism is a very diverse condition, everyone has their own unique profile of strengths and difficulties.
     
    Our aim in providing the fact sheets is therefore to offer a very basic introduction to autism.  We then offer training and workplace assessments to provide a fuller picture.  We also often recommend that people with autism use the fact sheets as a template for creating their own, personally relevant, disclosure document, so that they can describe how their autism affects them as an individual.
     
    We are very keen to involve people with autism as much as possible.  I agree with you entirely that it is important to include insights and perspectives from people with autism and their employers.  This is something we are continually trying to do more of. 
     
    We are in the process of creating updated PDF copies of the fact sheets.  We will certainly take your suggestions into account and we will also be consulting with further employees with autism and their employers, as you have suggested. 
     
    If you would like to have further involvement in this, please do get in contact (see the sticky topic post for the email address).  Hopefully we can work together to create fact sheets which provide as realistic and informed a picture as possible.
     
    Zara
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  • Hi Longman

    Thank you for your messages.
     
    I think you make some very valid points about the content of the fact sheets and some very good suggestions too.
     
    The aim of the fact sheets is to give a general introduction to autism.  We have created them in a short and easy-to-read format because otherwise employers may not take the time to read the information.  The challenge this brings is that autism is a very diverse condition, everyone has their own unique profile of strengths and difficulties.
     
    Our aim in providing the fact sheets is therefore to offer a very basic introduction to autism.  We then offer training and workplace assessments to provide a fuller picture.  We also often recommend that people with autism use the fact sheets as a template for creating their own, personally relevant, disclosure document, so that they can describe how their autism affects them as an individual.
     
    We are very keen to involve people with autism as much as possible.  I agree with you entirely that it is important to include insights and perspectives from people with autism and their employers.  This is something we are continually trying to do more of. 
     
    We are in the process of creating updated PDF copies of the fact sheets.  We will certainly take your suggestions into account and we will also be consulting with further employees with autism and their employers, as you have suggested. 
     
    If you would like to have further involvement in this, please do get in contact (see the sticky topic post for the email address).  Hopefully we can work together to create fact sheets which provide as realistic and informed a picture as possible.
     
    Zara
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