Reasonable adjustments at work

• Hi there, that’s very kind of you. It’s so useful to know experiences of others. I’ve struggled all my life and often walked out of jobs, even with this one it has been a struggle. But now, I know my rights and will advocate for them. I struggle with communication over the phone, it has to be in text or sudden changes. Also light and sound sensitivity. I am currently off sick due to burnout hopefully they can have these in place before I go back to work. Thank you for the kind words and wish. Wishing you the best too.

Hello,  I asked for an app for my ADHD focus which has been a godsend. its £100 for the year which has been charged back to the company. also noise cancelling headphones.  I have also said that I am happy to be at work, but flexibility around shifting hours and home/office working are required for times when I feel things are too much.  I pushed as soon as I had my diagnosis.. and stressed that although I had done my best, it was at a high personal cost.. so to get the best from me... they need to accomodate my needs now I know what they are. so far so good.  I really hope the OH appointment helps you.. as you really deserve to get the help you need to be able to keep going.  

And most importantly don’t lose sight on what reasonable adjustments are.  People sometimes make one feel they’re for disability and it’s a challenge asking for ‘help’ yet reasonable adjustments are for all different reasons and are enshrined in the equality act.  They are for people who may have just divorced and are having a hard time, maybe a death of a relative or maybe just some life exhaustion.

They are not strictly for disabilities so it’s reasonable to ask for reasonable changes.  It’s a framework to make a situation easier on everyone is any given situation.  Basic humanity really.  So ask away and fight your corner and be reasonable if they refuse then I can explain the civil courts process if you get stuck.  Tribunals work.

If I was in your position as you explain it.  I’d do a brainstorm put yourself in the middle and on one side write down where you think you struggle and on the other side express what would help you relive those points.  I believe if we find solutions to our weaker points then life slowly becomes easier.  
I don’t see autism as a disorder, I see it as a different brain type and it’s funny to me that people think there’s a current generic brain type and then some inferior ones.  It’s true, it’s just about finding solutions to problems like other parts of life.  Don’t be embarrassed or think you are asking for to much as all you are doing within its own limits is to help people interact with you be there and vice versa it’s lot a lot to ask and you are doing a good thing as it’ll help you be more productive.  So some people like words some people like visuals for example, but yet there is a common ground between the two.  We as autistic people should also try to find common ground but that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t fight for your own personal position.

Perfect, I will have a look, thank you.

Thank you for that, after Nicolas suggestion I got some tips from that too. Due to mental fog I can’t think properly myself at the moment. Your experiences help, I have noted some ideas down but now need to see, which will be practical for both parties. I have put down a communication point, I need notice and feedback on work from a single person. I need communication to be by text so none verbal. Thank you, that’s very kind of you.

I’d sit and think about what makes you feel worse in any given situation at work.  I’ve taken large business to civil court over reasonable adjustments and how that affects the equality act.  Remember reasonable adjustments are what the majority would find reasonable and wouldn’t put anyone else out to greatly.  So for me I ask for notifications before I’m contacted via the phone or in person as that stops me from one being anxious about it and therefore reacting in fight mode.  That makes the interaction better for everyone involved.  I’d suggest thinking about it like that, as them to adapt their approach towards you.  Maybe they can give you time to respond to them, not be pressed into decisions take a step back.  Maybe allow you to wear headphones if that help, would me.  If you need to take a step outside for fresh air or go to a quiet space for 5-10 mins to get your thoughts together.

Hi Nicola, thank you for this, I will read up on it. Yes, everyone has been very kind and helpful. 

Hi Marnee!  I'm sorry to hear you are struggling at the moment.  Employment can be difficult for many autistic people, and I'm glad to see some of our community members have already given you some advice and tips on what you're looking for.

NAS also has some resources about reasonable adjustments and legal protections for autistic people in the workplace, which can be found here and here.

Since you mentioned you also have anxiety and depression, you may like to have a look at the mental health section of our website which has useful links to information and advice about a range of mental health issues: https://www.autism.org.uk/advice-and-guidance/topics/mental-health.

I hope you find these links helpful, and good luck with your upcoming OH appointment!

Yeah, it’s a US site, but some of the advice it offers should still be applicable. If you scroll down to “A to Z of Disabilities, Accommodations, and Related Topics” and enter in “Disabilities” and “Autism Spectrum” it’ll give a list of possible accommodations near the bottom of the next page.

I get it though, information on the “Americans with Disabilities Act” and other US legal things isn’t very useful for someone in the UK lol

I think I need something UK based. 

All the best for that, thank you for these advice I will try my best.

I would start with explaining your difficulties to occupational health and jointly discussing what reasonable adjustments may look like.

Sorry to be a bit blunt and I do get what you are asking but reasonable adjustments are specific to you. Also my manager refused mine and occupational health suggestion and now my tribunal case is just weeks away.

Perfect, thank you

Good morning from America, Marnee101!

If you’re wanting to know what accommodations you can ask for, JAN is the place to go. You can look up what you can have adjusted depending on what disabilities you have. As far as what ones you should ask for, that’s a good question, and you might speak with your GP about what ones might be good. You also have to accept that your employer might be able to reasonably do some of your requested accommodations, but might not be able to do all of them. It just depends on the employer, their rules, and their resources. Best wishes!