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Autism & work

femininecomplz

Hi all,

just wanted to ask how people navigate work while having autism. 

I have been struggling with burn out recently, and got my first 9-5 role last year. I thought it was going well until my peers thought I was “too quiet” as I didn’t talk as much in loud groups and meetings. And I have to often ask for repeat instructions as its hard for me to take them verbally. Its also left me neglecting daily life things as masking at work leaves me exhausted when I get home.

I told them of my diagnosis but I feel it may have made things worse, as I am on probation and theyve raised that I might not be the right fit for the role. So now I am tackling staying and trying to mask harder or resigning.

I really do want to work, but I wanted to know if anyone relates? And how did they find work they like and manage it?

thanks all white heart

  • in reply to P0w3rPlut0

    Thank you for the advice. I am looking into PIP, I have heard stories that its difficult to get which makes me worry, but it is definitely work a try. Im glad to know things got bit better for you in reducing your hours. Yes health is definitely important - I am planning to find something else that works for me. It is just trying to cope working in the meantime while i find it

  • in reply to Geeky Gothic Guy

    Yes i think its the full time that drains me the most. Being in a junior role at my company its expected for you to be very outgoing and go into the office often. Luckily i work hybrid so some days I do get to work at home, which helps with the masking aspect. I wish I could work part time, but unfortunately financially i dont think its something i can do yet. I do similar though when i get home, i often watch a comfort show and dont talk to anyone for a while to get myself feeling better again. I also wear earplugs or headphones on the way to and from work to stop loud noises. Its good to know i am not the only one who struggles 

  • is it possible for you to look at getting help from your Union?  Can you reduce your hours and do job share?  I know it seems scary, but you could also get Universal Credit and PiP to help with the reduced income. Your health is so important.  I made those decisions 3 years ago and its been the best and hardest decision I made.   I work 18 hours per week and even then still have duvet days and days where I do very little in order to cope with work the next day. I wish you well. 

  • Hello, i used to struggle with work until i reduced my hours. I’d frequently go off sick with burnout, stress etc…it was all that kinda stuff amongst other things which led me to getting diagnosed. I wouldn’t cope with full time, i have tried it, and i struggle sometimes just doing part time hours. I was already working at the same place when i got my diagnosis, and they have made adjustments thankfully. I still come home exhausted etc…however its absolutely vital for me to have some down time when i get home, sitting in the dark with the mood lights on etc to sort of get myself back to normal after the stress of work. Do you do anything like that when you get home? 

  • You might find some of the advice in the Employment section of the NAS site useful. Potentially relevant articles include:

    NAS - What support can I get at work as an autistic person?

    NAS - What are reasonable adjustments and when can they be requested?

    NAS - What can I do if I’m having trouble at work?

    As just one example of the types of support that the articles cover, you might find the government's Access to Work scheme helpful:

    GOV.UK - Access to Work

    femininecomplz said:
    I have to often ask for repeat instructions as its hard for me to take them verbally.

    Another is the NAS's list of examples of reasonable adjustments. It includes this one, among many others:

    • "Issue:
      • I can find it difficult to remember verbal (spoken) instructions and information.

    • What is the disadvantage to you (compared to non-autistic employees)?
      • I may not understand what is required of me, what is happening in the workplace and ways I can improve. This may result in my employer having doubts about my ability to do my job.

    • Example of an adjustment:
      • My manager follows up verbal instructions and information with a written summary, and gives feedback in writing.

    • Legal type of reasonable adjustment:
      • Change to the way the employer usually does things.

    • Benefits to you and to your employer
      • I can refer back to written summaries and feedback so that I know what I have to do, what’s going on in the workplace and how I can improve.

    • Why the adjustment may be reasonable:
      • it effectively overcomes the disadvantage
      • has no cost
      • there may be some disruption for the manager as writing summaries takes time, but this is likely to lessen as working patterns are set, and the benefits outweigh the time investment
      • has no effect on health and safety."

    NAS - Common examples of reasonable adjustments

  • I completely relate to this. Work is the central problem of my life.