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disclosure to new employer

belles12345

I am currently employed, and am considering applying for another job that may be better suited to me.  I have recently found out about my AS traits and am realising how much they affect me in my position (communication issues, anxiety, social difficulties).  I am fairly sure some of my colleagues are aware of my difficulties, as well as my manager.  I am currently successful in the technical aspects of my job, however also I am aware of various tricky situations that have arisen due to communication difficulties, as well as general difficulties like time management.  

I am nervous to apply to a new job in the knowledge that I have difficulties without disclosing anything.  If would feel like lying to a potential employer- I can seem very chatty and ok at interview as I learn scripts for this and also very interested in my work- it's after this that the difficulties start, and I have a history of unsuccessful jobs due to social difficulties/bullying and being let go without an understandable reason.  However I am also aware that in my field this will be viewed as a negative, and it does disadvantage me in several ways as my job requires a fair amount of time working with people.  I also worry any disclosure may not be taken seriously as I think I can seem fairly NT (if a bit odd) on the surface.

I think I have answered my own question through writing this, and that is that I shouldn't mention anything, especially without a diagnosis.  However it makes me very worried about applying for another position.  Any advice?  Feel like I am going round in circles with this!  Thanks for your help in advance.

Parents

  • I am a little confused as on the NAS website it states:

    Once you have a diagnosis of autism you are classed as having a disability under the Equality Act 2010, or the Disability Discrimination Act 1995 in Northern Ireland. Under these laws, employers have a responsibility to make 'reasonable adjustments' for staff who need them. 

    Surely that should include those with AS (if it still exists as a diagnosis- I think it is all under 'autistic spectrum condition' now if I am correct)?

    In my opinion it shouldn't need to be a disability at all if people were educated (at least at the less severe end of the spectrum).  Just a difference.  But they're not currently so I do think it should be regarded as a disability.  I understand what you are saying about the affected/compromised category but then I suppose one could argue that this could apply to many of the general population in one way or another, whereas obviously 'aspergers' is more tricky than what most people experience?  Does this not open up a difficult area of how affected someone is/how severe their needs (which change over time or according to circumstance)?  Or perhaps I am misunderstanding the implications of such a category?  It's an interesting idea, it has just posed a few questions for me and excuse me if I'm missing the point.

Reply

  • I am a little confused as on the NAS website it states:

    Once you have a diagnosis of autism you are classed as having a disability under the Equality Act 2010, or the Disability Discrimination Act 1995 in Northern Ireland. Under these laws, employers have a responsibility to make 'reasonable adjustments' for staff who need them. 

    Surely that should include those with AS (if it still exists as a diagnosis- I think it is all under 'autistic spectrum condition' now if I am correct)?

    In my opinion it shouldn't need to be a disability at all if people were educated (at least at the less severe end of the spectrum).  Just a difference.  But they're not currently so I do think it should be regarded as a disability.  I understand what you are saying about the affected/compromised category but then I suppose one could argue that this could apply to many of the general population in one way or another, whereas obviously 'aspergers' is more tricky than what most people experience?  Does this not open up a difficult area of how affected someone is/how severe their needs (which change over time or according to circumstance)?  Or perhaps I am misunderstanding the implications of such a category?  It's an interesting idea, it has just posed a few questions for me and excuse me if I'm missing the point.

Children
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