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Online awareness training

Kim


Does anyone know of any online neurodiversity training courses for co-workers and management?

I recently disclosed my diagnosis at work to my team, I’d rather not have, but I was encouraged by my manager and HR in return for them organising awareness training.

unfortunately, they haven’t arranged it, the team haven’t a clue about autism. If I send a link to the national autism society they probably won’t bother to read it.

We also have a colleague who is dyslexic so they need neurodivergence rather than just autism awareness.

Parents
  • Kim said:
    Does anyone know of any online neurodiversity training courses for co-workers and management?

    This is a tricky one as there are so many ways that autism can impact a person but they are different for every autist. This is due to the fact is is a spectrum condition, meaning any individual willl experience different traits at different intensities.

    In practical terms you may have quite different needs from any other autist in the company so trying to train your colleagues to adapt for things that do not impact you is pointless.

    A better approach is to work out which autistic traits are an issue for you in the workplace and sit down with your manager to discuss how, if reasonabe, these can be accommodated. This means a much more focussed approach can be used to help you and your colleagues have less change to their ways of working to accommodate your needs.

    If you can list the traits you need most help with then we can come up with suggestions on what to ask for - you can decide if any are useful.

    As a reality check, many people on here report that management and HR are not very good at implementing these typically. Some are good and some bad but the resistance to change or learning to understand (expecially from colleagues) seems to be more common than the ones who make the effort.

    As a result of this I would recommend you get a psychotherapist with experience of helping autists and work on developing the skills to survive better in the current working environment as this will have the most benefit for you. Techniques such as mindfulness and meditation can make a huge difference I found.

    You are in a good situation if you have the support of your manager.

Reply
  • Kim said:
    Does anyone know of any online neurodiversity training courses for co-workers and management?

    This is a tricky one as there are so many ways that autism can impact a person but they are different for every autist. This is due to the fact is is a spectrum condition, meaning any individual willl experience different traits at different intensities.

    In practical terms you may have quite different needs from any other autist in the company so trying to train your colleagues to adapt for things that do not impact you is pointless.

    A better approach is to work out which autistic traits are an issue for you in the workplace and sit down with your manager to discuss how, if reasonabe, these can be accommodated. This means a much more focussed approach can be used to help you and your colleagues have less change to their ways of working to accommodate your needs.

    If you can list the traits you need most help with then we can come up with suggestions on what to ask for - you can decide if any are useful.

    As a reality check, many people on here report that management and HR are not very good at implementing these typically. Some are good and some bad but the resistance to change or learning to understand (expecially from colleagues) seems to be more common than the ones who make the effort.

    As a result of this I would recommend you get a psychotherapist with experience of helping autists and work on developing the skills to survive better in the current working environment as this will have the most benefit for you. Techniques such as mindfulness and meditation can make a huge difference I found.

    You are in a good situation if you have the support of your manager.

Children
  • in reply to Iain

    I agree. Not many managers or HR are understanding. They seem unable to understand that the needs of autistic people are real and not a choice or preference. The view seems to be 'you need to change'  or we can't change the way we work just for you.

    The worst thing I ever did was 1. Ask for reasonable adjustments due to disability.

    2. Disclose my autism - gave my management an excuse to get rid off me after a long career.

    As Ian said if you have an understanding and supportive manager that's half the battle.

    My management said they would only instigate neurodiversity training for my colleagues if I disclosed. I refused to disclose to my colleagues as they already treated me differently than my peers which was really bullying but management blamed me!