Sharing ASD diagnosis with your employer

I think it really depends on the work environment and how comfortable you feel with your employer before you share that information.

I'm quite lucky to work in a gym and I'm self employed, but while I was still on gym hours as part time staff I was able to ask to avoid meetings because I found them too exhausting (and pointless ice breaker games when we already know each other is just a waste of time). Unfortunately I had to go fully self employed because teaching classes and working in the evenings when it's busy and noisy was wearing me out. That's something we couldn't come to an agreement on and I had to leave the staff job. So much for equal opportunities I guess.

I feel that if I'd known I was AuDHD in my previous job then no accommodations would've been made and I'd have been ridiculed, bullied and gaslighted even more than I already was. The construction industry is not a good place to be ND. There's a lot of racism, ableism, sexism and homophobia dressed up as 'banter', and it can get very school yard if it's not addressed.

I have heard from some people who say their employer is very open to their needs and will accommodate them very well to enable them to do their job well in the way that suits their needs. Sadly this seems to be a minority experience and for many companies much of the equal opportunities guff is just a box ticking exercise, especially mental health. I'd say have a think about your relationship with your employer and colleagues. If it feels safe then it may well be, but if you have doubts then I'd explore those before telling anyone.

I think it really depends on the work environment and how comfortable you feel with your employer before you share that information.

I'm quite lucky to work in a gym and I'm self employed, but while I was still on gym hours as part time staff I was able to ask to avoid meetings because I found them too exhausting (and pointless ice breaker games when we already know each other is just a waste of time). Unfortunately I had to go fully self employed because teaching classes and working in the evenings when it's busy and noisy was wearing me out. That's something we couldn't come to an agreement on and I had to leave the staff job. So much for equal opportunities I guess.

I feel that if I'd known I was AuDHD in my previous job then no accommodations would've been made and I'd have been ridiculed, bullied and gaslighted even more than I already was. The construction industry is not a good place to be ND. There's a lot of racism, ableism, sexism and homophobia dressed up as 'banter', and it can get very school yard if it's not addressed.

I have heard from some people who say their employer is very open to their needs and will accommodate them very well to enable them to do their job well in the way that suits their needs. Sadly this seems to be a minority experience and for many companies much of the equal opportunities guff is just a box ticking exercise, especially mental health. I'd say have a think about your relationship with your employer and colleagues. If it feels safe then it may well be, but if you have doubts then I'd explore those before telling anyone.