Published on 12, July, 2020
As with most employees I have to attend training in order to keep my knowledge up to date and ensure I'm compliant with my employer's policies and procedures.
But, I've noticed over the last few years, staff are bringing in iPads to take notes rather than the humble pad and pen, which is what I still prefer. The point of this post is this, does anyone else struggle to focus when there are other noises going on in the room? I've managed to tolerate the overhead projector whirring away and even the odd cough or pen click. But now there is numerous tap, tap taps going on and I feel like up ending the table and storming out.
I recently complained to the training team about it. I'm still not out to everyone at work and don't feel I have to, to justify my frustration. But does anyone have any tips to block out/filter the distracting noise as they all merge to make one loud head-drilling sound?
lee.
The ear plugs - we are talking tech-tastic, and unvisible too. Specsavers do them with hearing tests if I recall correctly. Look before you buy and buy what you actually need, perhaps?
Earplugs may help, but don't want to draw attention to myself as the only autistic person in the session. I'm very self-conscious about being in there in the first place and headphones would be like waving a flag. Good advice though, thanks.
I've managed to tell people I don't like going to do's after struggling through a few when I first started and I was surprised that people didn't really question it. I'm not sure if they were pleased with me not going or not. But it's a result all the same.
Good advice but I've not revealed my diagnosis. Mainly because I don't want sympathy or to draw my attention to myself. If the trainer simply asked people to not type through sessions would help but then you get the glaring witch hunt about who complained!
Jordee said:But does anyone have any tips to block out/filter the distracting noise as they all merge to make one loud head-drilling sound?
You can get ear plugs that filter out particular types of sound, and also tech-tastic headphones that can be set to filter out exactly what you need to have filtered out - noise cancellation, vocal enhancement and all that sort thing.
Perhaps have a moogle on Google for 'noise-cancellation-headphones' and 'ear-plugs' maybe.
Lee, I have realized my migraines have been pretty convenient with avoiding the social events in work over the years...
If I'm away for work I now take my own food having worked out what I get access to in most hotels/motels in the way of storage and preparation. If you want ideas I'm happy to share.
If you declare your autism, the trainers will have a responsibility to not put you at any disadantage. This could take the form of giving you headphones and the trainer a microphone for example, so you would be able to concentrate on what is being said rather than the noise of others. Your employer may have an 'Equality officer' or if you are in a union ask their help. Remember it is their responsibility to make sure that the training is given in a form that you are able to access without undue difficulty and the distractions prevent this.
I am not sure if I will be able to help you with this at all as I struggle with focusing on things when it is important to do so. I have noticed with myself I am respond well to physical actions to calm me down. An example I know it isn't the same, but when I get anxious at night I tap my leg/arm/ear and count in my head. I have used a fidget cube when needing calming again due to the physical action of movement tapping. Is there anything similar you can do, that will not stand out or make more distraction from the noise. I appreciate exactly where you are coming from and how certain noises can make me want to explode.
Is it possible to ask for a print out with all the information on the training, so that you can take it away in your own time or does it have to be completed in the room there and then?
Its more to do with tapping on the screen or the Bluetooth keyboards they have. I also don't feel able to delicately ask them to refrain without sounding like mr angry! If I start doodling I get caught up in that and tune out of the session so need to focus on that. May be I just need a 1:1 tutorial!
You have my sympathies. Can you ask colleagues to turn off the click sound in their iPads?
I sometimes doodle just to help focus. Crochet also helps but I have to get my manager "right" before I do this!