Published on 12, July, 2020
Hello
New to the forum and looking for some advice.
Roughly two years ago I started to think I could be autistic. I spent the next year looking up information, reading books and listening to podcasts and became more convinced that yes I was autistic. Eventually I built up the courage and made an appointment with the doctor. The doctor requested an adult autism assessment and after about 5 months I received a letter advising me that I could now request the pre-assessment forms. The pre-assessment screening questionnaire, early development questionnaire and relatives questionnaire were completed and sent back. A month later I received a letter to confirm they had been reviewed and that they think an assessment would be helpful and I have now been put on the waiting list.
My question is should I tell my employer? The waiting time for the assessment is 20 months and I still have well over a year to go (probably more as all the other time frames were wrong). I was recently moved to a different department and feel like it could help them understand me more but at the same time I’m worried that I tell them only to get the assessment and be told that I don’t have autism.
I’ve considered getting a private assessment as it’s driving me mad not knowing but it's a big expense I'm not sure I can put out right now.
Thanks
Your situation sounds very much like mine.I work in a small team in IT and had struggled with communicating with the team. I found it difficult to work with people who just didn't get it (lack of tech knowledge / experience). They struggle with my "matter of fact" communication to the point of being offended at times.That is when I stumbled across the fact that I might be autistic (whilst looking for information around other health issues that I have) .
Due to the tensions in the team, I thought it best to inform my manager and HR that there were indications that I could be autistic and that would go some way in explaining why I am how I am.
This seemed to be the right thing to do, I felt that my manager and company supported me.
Fast forward to October 2023 when I was assessed and diagnosed as being level 1 autistic.The revelation, although not surprising, had such an impact that I ended up me being signed off for 5 weeks.On my return to work I shared this information not only with my manager and HR, but also to the other team members in an open letter that explained my diagnosis and how ASD made me different to most other (NT) people.
Again, this seemed the right thing to do. My teammates had a better understanding about me and things were going well.
BUT, more recently I have been offered a "settlement agreement" to effectively pay me to leave quietly. If I don't accept their offer, then I will taken down a disciplinary route due to the considerable time that I have been off sick over the past 3 years.
Anyway, to answer your question as to whether you should inform your employer...I would say that it very much depends on your situation and how supportive your new teammates and employer will be.If you experience difficulties with the change of departments, then I would say that you should really consider telling them.Opening up about the possibility of being autistic could (should) be seen as being open, honest and having trust in your new team.
GOOD LUCK!
Appreciate the reply, that's really helpful. I think they would be supportive and there's no major issues at the moment but just thinking ahead to when they start to realise I'm a bit weird (managed to get away with it before but much bigger department now).
Sorry to hear about your recent issue. Fingers crossed it works out!