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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

  • People with Asperger's are 'less able' and competent at picking up social cues and communicating with other people, therefore Asperger's can be considered to be a 'disability' ('dis'-'abled' at social skills). However, the disability covers a huge range and only those with significant needs are classed as officially disabled, meaning that they can access disability benefits and state support.

    You could compare the issue  to that faced by people with Cerebral Palsy, another 'spectrum' condition. My brother's ex girlfriend has this condition, but the Palsy only affects one foot, giving her a limp. Unlike those at the 'severe' end of this spectrum, she is independent, works and attended University, and you would only notice something if you looked at her limp. I would say though that she is still disabled, even if she is currently not eligible for support.  She is disabled because she needs adaptations like a special car, and she cannot walk very far without experiencing pain and fatigue. I  therefore think that this could be a useful anology for this discussion.

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  • People with Asperger's are 'less able' and competent at picking up social cues and communicating with other people, therefore Asperger's can be considered to be a 'disability' ('dis'-'abled' at social skills). However, the disability covers a huge range and only those with significant needs are classed as officially disabled, meaning that they can access disability benefits and state support.

    You could compare the issue  to that faced by people with Cerebral Palsy, another 'spectrum' condition. My brother's ex girlfriend has this condition, but the Palsy only affects one foot, giving her a limp. Unlike those at the 'severe' end of this spectrum, she is independent, works and attended University, and you would only notice something if you looked at her limp. I would say though that she is still disabled, even if she is currently not eligible for support.  She is disabled because she needs adaptations like a special car, and she cannot walk very far without experiencing pain and fatigue. I  therefore think that this could be a useful anology for this discussion.

Children
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