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Declaring Aspergers Syndrome

Skybird

I have been in my current job for a year and at the time of interview, I declared that I had Crohn's Disease but as I hadn't yet been diagnosed with Aspergers Syndrome, I did not mention it.

I had a 'conversation' with my boss last week after I had a migraine and needed to call in sick and she said to me that she'd have appreciated being told this at the time of interview. I hadn't mentioned it as they hadn't been an issue for a few years but she also said that she may have reconsidered whether I was suitable for the job had I have mentioned it due to the need to take time off.

It made me think about what I should declare to any future employer if it will affect my chances off getting a job? A lot of people don't seem to fully understand Autism and how it varies so much in how it affects people and there's still a lot of stigma about it.

What would you suggest?

  • Former Member
    Former Member

    I've just negotiated a path through this issue. I have given up one job because they didn't cope with my undiagnosed ASD and the working relationship wasn't recoverable after the diagnosis so I found another job. I tried telling people at interview but this didn't seem to help (I told 2 employers that I had Aspergers and didn't get those jobs. I didn't tell another employer and didn't get the job because I "failed to establish a rapport" with the interviewers. You can't win sometimes!

    I eventually got offered another job and didn't reveal my problem at interview. However, they made me do an occupational health form before I started so I declared the Aspergers. They called me in for a medical and I was encouraged by the Doctor who said that Aspergers was very common these days and that many employers (he gave some names of large engineering firms in our area as examples) are well set up for this and it doesn't bother them.

    I was getting very nervous about how or whether to reveal the problem given my recent bad experience but I am now encouraged that there may be firms out there that are doing things properly. I'll have to see how the job goes and will try and remember to give an update here when I have settled in at the new job.

  • Your boss can't expect you to declare something which you don't have a diagnosis of at the time you are interviewed!  Even if you suspect you have something, you are not the expert and that would be ridiculous to state that everyone who might have a condition (which could be explainable by other causes) should declare all such possibilities when they apply for a job.  What has a headache got to do with Asperger's?

    Some people choose not to disclose their diagnosis, but then that would mean if they need reasonable adjustments they could not expect them if their employer was unaware of the existence of the diagnosis, so legally they couldn't complain at lack of adjustments.

    It's your choice, but if you choose to declare it, you could put it on your CV and list the positives of the condition (attention to detail, honesty, good focus, accuracy for instance).

  • It is a tricky one, but I think that one way to deal with it in future if you apply for another job is to say you have aspergers and  how, it affects you, and what the company could do to help you in the work environment.  Then point out all the positive things that you brought to the table in your last job, such as attention to detail, punctuality, etc.

    Employers may be hesitant at first, but if you give them workable strategies that will help them and you, then you will both be making decisions with knowledge rather than ignorance.  

    Also being transparent will probably lessen your anxieties as you can be more honest, which employers appreciate.

    In my career I have always told employees what my weaknesses are as I don't want to be placed in that awkward situation later down the line, where unworkable expectations may arise.  My sort of non negotiable terms.