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Has anyone declared *undiagnosed* Aspergers/Autism to their employer?

richardsw16

Just wondering if anyone has declared Aspergers/Autism to their employer *without* having an official diagnosis.

I've started the diagnosis route for Aspergers (age 50), but no idea how long this will take. I have a pretty understanding line manager who appears to know something about Autism. But without a diagnosis, I'm not sure if declaring possible AS would actually help.

Would appreciate thoughts from anyone who has been through this, or thought about it.

Parents

  • Hello richardSW16

    Not sure if declaring something you haven't been officially confirmed as having, is a good idea... after all, you might not have it.  I recall just before I went for my diagnosis, I was pretty confident that I had Asperger's, but there was still a niggling doubt in my mind. 

    If you are given a diagnosis, you may feel differently afterwards about who you tell. It takes a great deal of thought when considering who you should tell, ie who you trust and who you feel confident will treat you well after being given that knowledge.

    From my own experience I would say that one needs a period of time to absorb the fact that you have been diagnosed. It is a life-changing event, even if you were expecting it.
    A diagnosis requires you to re-evaluate pretty much the whole of your life experience. Like you I was in my fifties when diagnosed and can say with some confidence that fifty years is a lot of life to 're-think'.

    For me, diagnosis was a relief and an explanantion for all the stuff that I'd had difficulty with over the years. Many people here will have had the same experience and feelings at diagnosis. But don't underestimate the emotional highs and lows you may experience as well, whilst getting used to the 'new version of you'.

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  • Hello richardSW16

    Not sure if declaring something you haven't been officially confirmed as having, is a good idea... after all, you might not have it.  I recall just before I went for my diagnosis, I was pretty confident that I had Asperger's, but there was still a niggling doubt in my mind. 

    If you are given a diagnosis, you may feel differently afterwards about who you tell. It takes a great deal of thought when considering who you should tell, ie who you trust and who you feel confident will treat you well after being given that knowledge.

    From my own experience I would say that one needs a period of time to absorb the fact that you have been diagnosed. It is a life-changing event, even if you were expecting it.
    A diagnosis requires you to re-evaluate pretty much the whole of your life experience. Like you I was in my fifties when diagnosed and can say with some confidence that fifty years is a lot of life to 're-think'.

    For me, diagnosis was a relief and an explanantion for all the stuff that I'd had difficulty with over the years. Many people here will have had the same experience and feelings at diagnosis. But don't underestimate the emotional highs and lows you may experience as well, whilst getting used to the 'new version of you'.

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