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Pleased to meet you all and work advice sought!

Catherine
18 hours ago

Hi all

I’m Catherine, a recently diagnosed high functioning autistic in the UK.

Sought private diagnosis aged forty two after a sustained period of burnout having always been a bit “other”. I most definitely heavily mask as a senior public facing healthcare professional, trained to put others’ wellbeing at the forefront of my mind. 

I’ve just started a new job and wonder if anyone has any experience in how to navigate being autistic and unmasking? I’m an expert in “fitting in” but am desperate not to repeat previous patterns (which ultimately leads to stress, burnout and changing jobs). I have considered whether this career is suitable longer term but there are many aspects I love and a move isn’t an option immediately. As a highly logical female I’m often perceived as brash, a smartarse or insensitive and ideally would like to be more authentic opposed to hiding my intelligence and directness. Does anyone have experience with similar? I absolutely don’t wish to offend anyone but result in losing myself in a bid to please others!

Appreciate any comments or sharing of experiences particularly in relation to managing professional lives.

Catherine 

Parents
  • 3 hours ago

    Hi Catherine. Welcome to the forum. 

    I have found the Access to Work Scheme offered by the DWP has been really useful to help me at work. It's monthly work coaching over 9 months. Let me know if you are interested and will post the link on here.

    My counsellor/coach has been saying to me about being authentic to myself and I think that that has helped. So far, I have not disclosed to work that I am autistic. This is for a number of reasons, but I guess the bottom line is that I am concerned about discrimination. I know that though this is illegal, that life can be more nuanced than that. I think I probably will talk about it at some point, but I want to feel safer in my role before I do that.

    I still mask, though I am crap at it. I manage my masking by working part time and looking after myself as much as I can. I immerse myself in autism literature and my special interest - travel and music.

    I wish you well on navigating work. I have just downloaded a book on Audible on work and autism. It's called 'Just the Job!'. I'll let you know what's it like.

Reply
  • 3 hours ago

    Hi Catherine. Welcome to the forum. 

    I have found the Access to Work Scheme offered by the DWP has been really useful to help me at work. It's monthly work coaching over 9 months. Let me know if you are interested and will post the link on here.

    My counsellor/coach has been saying to me about being authentic to myself and I think that that has helped. So far, I have not disclosed to work that I am autistic. This is for a number of reasons, but I guess the bottom line is that I am concerned about discrimination. I know that though this is illegal, that life can be more nuanced than that. I think I probably will talk about it at some point, but I want to feel safer in my role before I do that.

    I still mask, though I am crap at it. I manage my masking by working part time and looking after myself as much as I can. I immerse myself in autism literature and my special interest - travel and music.

    I wish you well on navigating work. I have just downloaded a book on Audible on work and autism. It's called 'Just the Job!'. I'll let you know what's it like.

Children
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