14 Workplace Accommodations for Autistic People
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 7 มิ.ย. 2024
- This video explores 14 simple workplace accommodations you can make to better support your neurodivergent employees. Scroll down for timestamps. 👇
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⏰ TIMESTAMPS
0:34 Create an environment where it's safe to ask for help
0:58 Provide regular check-ins from upper management
1:32 Provide visual aids whenever possible
1:47 Provide alternative communication methods
2:29 Reduce sensory overwhelm in the environment
3:49 Outline a clear purpose for each meeting and stick to the plan
4:41 Walk and talk meetings
5:04 Understand that transition are not easy
5:45 Offer mentorship opportunities
6:13 Encourage breaks
6:22 Allow flexibility to work from home
6:39 Set clearly defined goals in all things
6:58 Allow individuals to opt out of group work
7:38 Get comfortable with saying "I don't know. Let's find a solution together."
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DISCLAIMER: Taylor Heaton is not a licensed psychologist or specialist healthcare professional. Her services do not replace the care of psychologists or other healthcare professionals. Please note that Taylor can’t take any responsibility for the results of your actions, nor any harm or damage you suffer as a result of the use, or non-use of the information available through her website, TH-cam Channel, or social media accounts. Please use judgment and conduct due diligence before taking any action or implementing any plan or practice suggested or recommended by Taylor Heaton or Mom on the Spectrum. Please note that Taylor doesn't make any guarantees about the results of the information you may apply from her website, TH-cam channel, and/or social media accounts. Taylor shares educational and informational resources that are intended to help you succeed in navigating life as an autistic adult. You nevertheless need to know that your outcome will be the result of your own efforts, your particular situation, and innumerable other circumstances beyond Taylor's knowledge and control. Taylor is an Amazon affiliate and may receive commissions on qualifying purchases from affiliate links. Taylor is a Flare affiliate and may receive commissions on qualifying purchases from Flare links.
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#latediagnosedautistic #momonthespectrum #autisticadult #audhd
Just this week, I spoke at my work for Autism Acceptance month...but I decided to structure it like a podcast...so I did a collab with a co worker where they were host and I was the guest.
I did my portion remote from my apartment via Zoom with my cam off and a emoji pic of me. I did it for comfort and also so people didn't have pre conceived notions or bias about my looks and mannerism...so that they had no choice but just to listen to my words.
I got rave reviews and now others want to sign up to speak on their own topics because of how engaging my 45 minute segment was...and I presented the accommodation recommendations in a way that it would benefit both neurotypicals and neurodivergents.
I read this comment with the biggest smile on my face!!! This is amazing!
As a adult guy on the spectrum, number two is what I've been wanting the most. Why do I need to be left in the dark on performance and to hear what my performance is from a friend when they couldn't care less to tell me straight up?
I worked a corporate job 25 years ago. I absolutely hated it. I now work from home in a totally different career. The difference is huge.
Working from home has been an incredibly positive change for me as well.
Same here! No more corporate workplace. Only my home will do for now!
I'm so glad for you all.
I wish I could do that :(
Many problems that I had matched exactly what she listed, but I still think some jobs could use a few days working outside of home because online communication may not be enough for some discussions.
A simple comment from a high functioning aspergers person who worked many years in corporate America. My strong suggestion is, don't do it. It will be extremely challenging, if not impossible and highly stressful. Keep in mind, the high stress in corporate America jobs can literally kill neurotypical people who are much more adaptable to the incredible changing demands of a good paying corporate job. People with qualities discussed in this video will literally be unable to cope. It is very hard to change who you are and adapt to demands and dictates by others who have the capacity for more flexible thinking when job variables are in a constant state of flux, from impromptu public speaking, to getting on and off airplanes, neurotypical people can handle with less drama. The concept is lack of free will. The hard wiring of autism makes it very difficult to cope in this environment. I strongly suggest self employment or working in a job where you can control your environment and destiny. Even teaching school is a better outlet as you have better control over your space. Control is key to stress management for an autistic person.
A last comment is, love and accept yourself. Autism is as much a gift as a curse. Most people don't even know I am autistic and it is how I choose to process life that matters. Some of the greatest minds who have ever lived from scientists to composers to artists to chess masters have been autistic.
Choose a path to navigate life on 'your' terms as you begin to better understand yourself. For better self awareness and understanding, I suggest you study psychology as it relates to autism as much as time permits as there are several books that are highly informative.
@@coryhamelehle6439 Nicely said.
I've always had the lights off whenever I had control of them, decades before I discovered autism.
Rejection sensitivity hits home. I tend to assume feedback is negative unless it's very obvious it isn't, in which case I assume it's fake anyway.
The rejection sensitive thing describes me too. It was made worse by my choice of an early career that was all about leadership, people skills, and competitiveness, so of course every one of my work evaluations was negative. Getting out of that job may have been traumatic when it happened, but it probably saved my life.
Oh my goodness group work, yes. If we’re on zoom, my Internet suddenly becomes unstable for some reason.
I had an umbrella over my work desk (it clamped to the desk so it could easily be taken down) because the fluorescent lights or really any overhead light really hurts my eyes. Corporate came in and made me take it down after having it for 3 years. There was a whole meeting with HR and they said I had to take it down and I could wear a visor instead. So now I wear a visor that is tight on my temples and my headphones over that. It’s so much on my head it feels overwhelming uncomfortable. It’s so stressful!
There has to be a way to get the accommodation back or to sue them for it. What was their reasoning to take it down? Can they turn off some of the lights?
Why does corporate feel the need to “fix”everything? It was a simple and harmless solution that let you work better! Why on earth did they feel the need to stuff you into their idea of “professional” when you were getting the job done?! 😖
Check your company policy around disability accommodations and get your doctor to write a very specific note. For example, "Mr
Smith needs a clamp on desk umbrella such as ___(model name) as an accommodation to prevent eye strain and headaches". If you are "out" to the company have your doctor tie it to your condition with the very specific words "This accommodation is required to support his autism disability" This goes to HR - not your boss. HR will red flag a note with the words "accomodation" and "disability".
If they don't accommodate, escalate to your legal dept. and if they still push back , notify your state's dept of labor.
Most companies will comply when an explicit drs note is provided. This whole visor thing is wrong. It does not work with your "disability".
If they deny a doctor's note, make sure they put it in an email so you can share it with the state dept.of labor and an employment lawyer. Keep copies of the drs note and all correspondence.
If you are in a personal office ask to have the florescent lamps removed from the fixture and use a small table lamp. Or ask that the lights closest to you have bulbs removed or be covered with black paper. Make friends with the Facilities department, one of them might remove the bulbs near you because it's "broken'. Those guys can be great and parts can be on order forever.
If the issue is that they are concerned about the umbrella blocking sprinklers in the event of a fire, make a plan with floor wardens and facilities to double check that you've closed it for fire drills and at the end of each day.
I am blown away they pushed you to use a visor. That's totally inappropriate. Good luck!
I am in the process of being demoted from a $62k/yr position to $18.50/hr because my job doesn’t want to accommodate my needs. They literally dropped this bombshell randomly and used law enforcement interview tactics to get me documented saying I couldn’t meet the expectations of the position, so that they aren’t liable. I’m autistic, not stupid.. It burns me up because if they made these improvements, they would be more successful, but they are so obsessed on these dated neurotypical corporate rituals. Got fired from a job last year at $72k/yr because they “didn’t,” have any positions that met my needs.. It’s very difficult being homeless, but having to restrict what jobs I apply to because it would be mentally catastrophic to work there. Capitalistic countries are not for the people.
Are you in the US? Start writing this all down with dates and see an employment lawyer. Make sure you get as much as possible in writing (even if you have to email a summary of meeting notes.) I don't have any names but it looks like Attorney Ryan on YT is taking clients.
I am a freelancer, I do copywriting for websites and webdesign. I only work in my homeoffice. I learn all things by myself since childhood and there is so much great content online to learn from. I don't do phone calls or personal meetings, I communicate with my interested persons and customers only via e-mail and in some cases I have zoom calls. That works very good, my customers like my working results very much.
Great list! Here are my thoughts:
-Educate workforce about stimming and make your workplace one where people can stim openly (in a non-disruptive way)
-Provide as much information as possible before a meeting--share power-points, handouts, etc. in advance
-Allow sensory accommodations--sunglasses inside for flourescent lights, earplugs, etc.
-Provide a quiet, low-lit room with comfortable furniture where people can go to take a break
Great suggestions! Thanks for adding to the list.
Great phrase to use for a lengthy response/list. I’ll definitely try and use that in the future
Oh man, my company built a quiet/relaxation room at our office shortly before COVID and it was *_WONDERFUL!!_* A lot of people used it. It was furnished and decorated in a nice, relaxing, peaceful way, it had noise insulation and isolated booths that each had a little cushioned “wall couch” type thing you could curl up in and get some sound isolation from other booths and from the lights in the room, and the lights were designed to automatically dim shortly after it detected someone moving across the room. You could use headphones _quietly_ in there, but not if they were loud enough to disturb others. It was an amazing accomodation! After COVID, though, they just let everyone work from home and that’s been even more amazing because then i can do my own individual relaxation stuff whenever and wherever and however I want to without bothering anyone else.
It sure is great to have an employer that actively cares about the wellbeing of its staff, and puts its money where its mouth is.
In my case I need less natural light and more artificial because of my specific eyesight issues. The general message is that light needs to be tailored to each person's needs and we need more precise control over this than others. I wasn't allowed better control of lighting because of "aesthetic" reasons. It would look ugly if my blinds were different....
Most of us auties want to be productive at work,and we have potential when our needs are met.
I am very lucky that my office already does a lot of these.
When i started my job, it was a newly created position so there were a lot of unknowns which was stressful. As the job evolved, I wrote a manual with detailed, step by step instructions on how to do every task. Now new employees can use it if they prefer written communication. I also show people how to do the task or explain it verbally if they prefer.
Nice!
I’d love a video like this focused on hospitality/customer service jobs. A lot of ND folks can’t access corporate or office jobs (due to barriers of entry, etc) and a lot of us are working low paying jobs with little independence/respect from our superiors. Would love if you talked to someone in hospitality/customer service for a part 2 video! Thanks Taylor!
i had special education but later on they wanted to try regulair education and got a diploma in electrotechnic. i love the logic in how thinks work. not the fastes worker but i do it right more then others.
Who can accommodate all this? How to find such jobs?
yes about the cleaning products!!!!! this isnt quite a workplace issue but it took over a MONTH for my new apartment to stop smelling like lavender Fabuloso (which the maintenence people use) after we moved in. 😭😭😭
FABULOSO IS THE WORST!!!!!!
I hate Fabuloso with a passion!!! 🫠🫠🫠🫠🫠
I've discovered that if you take a 32 ounce bottle and fill with water, then only add a few drops of Fabuloso, it barely smells. When you look at the directions of most of these types of products, there are directions on how to mix as you are not really supposed to be using full strength. We use a purple Pine Sol at work that smells just like Fabuloso, and when it's mixed any stronger than what I listed above you are supposed to rinse the surface, which nobody ever does. That tiny little amount will do basic cleaning as long as it's to keep something clean that's cleaned often and not to clean something filthy. If you are using it stronger it should be rinsed, which makes the scent much less strong.
I hate group work so much. No one believed I am autistic but ya I am neurodivergent I want to cry. Haha school has us do group work it s a huge waste of time for me and I personally believe THIS is why. Also avoid rejection, and get easily disregulated when put on the spot. I’ve seen the neurotypicals laughing. I am almost passing. Almost doesn’t count ❤😂
Oh, the group work... great way to have your life sucked out of you. I just returned to work from sick leave and got the best job i could - the one i can do ALONE. It´s still a lot of (sometimes hard) work and despite being physically tired and in pain each day, i´m also coming home in good mood.
I’m also autistic and I’m all in for being allowed to take a break (or even a nap, as frustration can become exhausting)
Great suggestions!!! I particularly love walking meetings…unless I’ve got lots of things to write down 😂. But going old school and bringing a notebook or clipboard and pen is a way around that. I wish more workplaces would be ok with just getting up and walking around. Sometimes I can think and speak better if I’m strolling around or pacing.😊
Yes it's like the walking unlocks something in my brain!
Yes the clipboard has been a game changer for me in such situations ❤
Sorry for a lengthy response:
Great video Taylor, well put saying “gentle” feedback is the key to reaching an autistic person. You can give me constructive criticism,just give it to me in a kind way.
I definitely do better if someone gives me handouts or written information to refer back to,especially if they are willing to write it instead of me trying to write it down (not to mention quickly and accurately).
I had a history teacher in high school that had a couch in his room but when I would sit on it after school and took off my shoes, he told me I was getting “too comfortable “ but it made me comfortable enough to work.
I usually prefer overhead lights so I can see things better, I do have some visual impairment from having spina bifida but there are also times when soft lighting helps, living in an apartment doesn’t give the best lighting if I need it bright but is good when natural lighting or lamps are enough.
I never understood why it was important for me to know what would happen in a doctor appointment as a kid, I would always ask my mom to tell me everything she knew about what was going to happen at the appointment so I was less anxious.
When I did a job assessment one of the things noted was I need a job I can sit most of the time for physical reasons but also have the chance to get up once in a while to focus better and change of scenery is nice occasionally.
The opportunity for one on one learning is helpful, I took a college prep course (didn’t go to college) and they let you work by yourself but had a little wooden flag you could prop up if you needed the teacher to come by for one on one help, and coming back occasionally to Check if I’m still on track and understand what I’m doing is helpful.
Any time I can sit outside and do a task is a good thing although living in MN it’s cold crappy weather most of the year, it’s finally warming up here tomorrow so I hope to have outside time,
work from home opportunities would be great since I don’t drive, have navigation challenges and not a lot of money for travel costs
I wish I could have read your comment more fully than just skimming it, because it seemed to have a lot of good points as I did.
However, visually, your comment was very busy, as it had no paragraph breaks. Please consider this my gentle constructive feedback from a fellow autistic person to add more paragraph breaks so people can understand your opinions more easily. I hope this helps!
@@kinpandun2464 thanks for the gentle feedback, makes sense, Taylor had a lot of good points I was trying to respond to but I agree it is a bit long and I don’t normally leave such a long response, I hope you get a chance to go back and read it further when you have time
@@kinpandun2464 I made a few adjustments I hope it helps
I’m autistic and I’ve never been employed I’m nearly 30. Employers don’t want to accommodate my limitations, I cannot work for more than 4 hours on my best days without getting extremely mentally fatigued then I shut down after longer periods. There are days I cannot function and trying to adhere to a work rota for specific days and times does not work for me either because I cannot predict how much I can do day to day. Employers don’t want to entertain me when I tell them about my above struggles they would rather take the next line of people who are consistent and reliable everyday. I do think as much as it’s talked about that work forces should be more accepting of autistic people it’s not good for business taking on sub par productive autistic workers because autism is a disability after all and one that sometimes is more debilitating than physical disability’s.
I don’t have as much trouble in this area as you, but, I still identify with this a lot. I’ve managed to find jobs and “get by” but I am constantly fighting back burnout. Even “good” jobs are exhausting, and I would do so much better in a role where I could work when I had the energy to do so and take time off when I didn’t without fearing being judged or losing my job. I am not diagnosed formally either, so I can’t ask for formal accommodations, but even if I could, my role is public facing and therefore scheduling and reliability is a logistical necessity for my employer. It can feel like you’re not meant to succeed.
I detest ambiguity. I suppose that's why I prefer people who are direct. I hated growing up. I was always so anxious bc I felt out of place lol like I was acting just to look like I belonged. A puzzle piece in the wrong box.
If i don´t count my mother (who is obviously autistic too), i´ve yet to meet such person.
It is sometimes psychopathically interesting to watch NTs sign their heads and bodies off in attempts to get rid of me, when i´m dysregulated😎Not that i understand body language, but i can see they´re trying to tell me "something" 🤣
On the other hand, childhood was much more hellish than living as an adult. Being largely ignored is soo much better, than being constantly bullied, because all kids can see you being different and because they didn´t learn to be tolerant yet, they openly punish you for it.
Awesome List!
Never gonna happen with a volatile bunch of dismissive managers in retail. "We don't have time to baby you." I hear this all the time. I am stuck in retail customer service and it's killing me! I need to get out!!!
List of employment ideas for older, late diagnosed adults (seniors) w/ ASD/ADD would be great (especially those of us w/o a degree).
Great video!!
walk and talk meetings---
also can reduce the need for eye contact
Yes! Great point
But then I wouldn't remember a single thing from the meeting because I wouldn't be able to write anything down. Then again, my memory issues aren't from me being neurodivergent but rather from a traumatic brain injury
Dry erase board, so important, Know other at the office won't follow the guidelines like we will. Strong sents, I have had to send clients home, star light and auarua machine in my room.
We have a policy of only having to be in the office 40% of time which is a great help. One of the working groups I sit on has a standard practice of not demanding immediate feedback but allowing it to be provided in the days after meetings. Rather than getting nothing they get something plus a bit extra if I see something related to a special interest 😊
This is such a great list of accommodations! I would also add reducing or even eliminating multitasking.
I just got my diagnosis ‘officially’ this week (it had been talked about quite a bit, but now its actually happening), and my psychologist is going to email me the paperwork over the weekend. I think I’m going to be binge watching most, if not all of your videos over the next few weeks.
Even before diagnosis I’ve found your videos so helpful and informative. Thank you for everything that you have done and continue to do in the community.
Much love to you, Taylor. 💛
Movement is the key to bringing out the best for my brain! That could be a walk or even a car ride - I have the best conversations when I'm in movement.
Oh my goodness, if just one boss listens and helps their neurodivergant employees, then your video has been worth it's weight in gold Taylor!! Hopefully many bosses will listen and act though!! 😊
One of the things I loved in the military was #3, especially crib cards and normalised use of crib cards.
And #6 was the norm for meetings, or lessons in training.
#9 (mentorship) was introduced late in my career.
#12 was just business as usual.
#14 was also surprisingly accepted, and was usually accompanied with "find out and get back to me".
What's that you want me to go learn something new and then come back and infodump it? Yes sir/ma'am!!
did you have any sensory difficulties with the highly physical nature of the military? sorry for being nosy, genuinely curious!
In my past jobs, autism support wasn't really a thing, but in my latest gig, I was the only neurodivergent person in the office. It was cool to see awareness grow, especially since there were also neurodivergent students around. I felt a bit hesitant to ask for accommodations at first, but my coworkers were awesome about supporting me, even though it was new for all of us. I think if they hadn't known about CPTSD too, things might have gone differently. The pandemic pushed us all into remote work, which actually gave me more energy.
I had a meltdown this week bc someone stole my plant from my desk & my boss resigned.
Oh. That’s a lot of change! And having something stolen is awful. So violating.
That sucks. Who would/why would someone even do that? It's harrassment and theft. You should report it to both the new boss and the police, so it's on record for you to buold a case against either the culprit or your bosses for the hostile workplace environment. I've been downloading and forwarding to my personal email any phonecalls I have with my bosses, or emails where I think someone is being unfair/bullying/prejudiced. KEEP THE RECEIPTS.
I've had things stolen from me at work a few times and the boss "punished" me when I got upset about it. This was years ago but it's something I've never forgotten, most of the jobs I've had have been jobs where I was treated disrespectfully and it's getting harder as I get older. I'm 61 and although I love working and I love my clients, I sometimes find myself fantasizing about winning the lotto so I would never have to work again. I really hate the way I'm treated at almost every single job I've ever worked and can't afford to retire as I've been underemployed for years and wouldn't be able to live on Social security.
@@lucinevertanes9564 winning the lotto is unrequited dream of many of us 😉
I would immediately move to New Zealand or Faroe Islands 😎
Great suggestions, thank you. I have experienced 1, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 and/or 11 in previous jobs and my current job and found them all very reassuring and helpful. I really like 10, 13 and 14; building on from 13, I wish that it was seen as more acceptable rather than offensive and 'not a team player' if employees choose not to join in on social activities. They can be extremely draining, potentially causing the employee to perform worse in their role if they must work the following day.
This might sound silly, but one accommodation that really helped me prior to a presentation that I had to give at university was learning the room layout. How would the tables that my audience would sit at be laid out? Where would it be best for me to stand in relation to that, so that everyone could see the powerpoint properly? How intense will the projector's light and the room lighting be? How stuffy will it feel? Additionally, how do the light switches and computer/laptop and projector work? I guess generalising this into an accommodation would be something like 'allow the individual sufficient time in advance to become familiar with the process(es) that will be expected of them'. I tend to find that the more I know about something, the less anxiety I feel because it means that there are less uncertainties to fret about. Knowing how things work makes me feel considerably more confident.
Yes! This is like me looking up something on google maps and studying the restaurant layout/parking options before I go. Room layout and tech instructions would be very helpful!
14 things my boss will never do
Sad to hear this! You deserve accommodations and these are all so simple.
😢 I hope that you can maybe apply some things, wherever you are able to, for example with some colleagues. Sometimes small changes can help a lot. I wish you all the strength you need!
Same but different boat.
Our DEI lead just assigned our whole company DEI Council this video for discussion on Tuesday. We appreciate all the great content you make Taylor! Thank you.
I like how you made this so personal to me 🙂
Jim....
thank you so much for making this video.
You're welcome! I hope it is helpful.
I recently got a new boss. They spray Febreze air freshener, Lysol, multiple times a day. Not to mention the air fresheners plugged into the wall. Overhead LED lights are on the highest setting. Alexa is playing music LOUD. This is awful for me. I used to love my job.
I am writing to defend groupwork, or at least why it may be worth putting up with occasionally! For reference I am a retired engineer/researcher/manager and self-diagnosed aspie. Like many of you I prefer working alone and most of my actual work is best done this way. One of Taylors points was the need for lots of information on clarifying work needs and participating in a group allows the opportunity to gain an understanding of others position, and shared needs. It can also, if you are up to it, provide an opportunity for you to ask direct questions, and also table specific issues that are challenging for you. It is also important, in my view, that sharing in a group occasionally lets your co-workers get to know you better and thereby improve your social interaction with them one-on-one.
Building off what you shared, what works for me when it comes to group work is for the group to collectively agree on goals/objectives and what tasks are needed and what the purpose of those tasks are. Then we all go work on them individually (or in small groups for those who prefer that) and then come back to the group and put it all together, provide feedback, and determine the next steps. This pattern can be repeated as the project moves forward. That approach works well for me at least. And I've found it helps the group break up big projects into small steps since you have to do that to determine the tasks and who will do them.
Thank you. This video should be sent to every office.
The second one is the best for me and keeps me from running away or hating it at work or the people. All of these are very useful for me too.
4:00 - OMG, yes! This unspecified meeting topic thing feels to me like that "we need to talk" where you think your partner is going to break up with you...and then when it's something normal you're like "OK, but why so mysterious?!!"
It's almost WORSE now that I'm in a position of authority bc there is strong possibility that if a person doesn't want to explain by email it has to do with an inter-personal conflict - and it makes me really anxious if I can't look up the policies and prepare.
Taylor can you do something about the mic recording? I like your content, but I often get lost in how much I hear a smacking noise while you talk. I ask myself where it is from and if you do it while talking, then how? Do I do it, too? 😮🤯
I had the same problem with this video. I can't bear noises like this because of misophonia. I had to stop the video, I can't watch it completly.
Thank you so much for this video. I recently got diagnosed and am trying to diplomatically seek accommodations from my workplace. Also, Dr. Laura Sanders is indeed amazing! :) Thank you for recommending her in one of your other videos.
Yes to visual guides and step by step
I would just say, never assume a person will like or need a certain way of doing things without having a conversation about it with the individiual. It's not a one-size-fits-all kind of thing.
For example: I would feel highly stressed out having to walk-and-talk, but I usually like group sessions (depending on spoons etc). Also, it takes a lot of energy changing environments, so not being forced to take your breaks outside is helpful too for me.
Was looking for something to share at work and 14 is a lot - a tight 10, 5 min version of this would be a great resource, if/when you've capacity. I think folks tend to switch off / eye roll for anything beyond that and we need their engagement! : ) thanks
Fantastic, thank you. Yes. All of these would truly have helped me when I was working.
This is gold. Thank you!❤
Great list! Thanks for this video! :) I think and hope that it is very useful for neurotypical people too, because they can better understand their neurodivergent colleagues/employee/mentee...
I really would love to add something! Give neurodivergent people the opportunity to be excluded from hot desk practices or discuss alternatives. I know the goal everywhere is to treat everyone equally but please, that's not always the best thing to do! So to describe the "hot desk" practice in a few words: in some work places are less desks than employees. Because of applied homeoffice rules, less desks shall be enough. So when you arrive at work, you can just choose whatever desk you want to work on, except the ones which are already in use... This stresses me out so much! It is such a big uncertainty. Will I sit directly next to the door? Will I sit next to the loudly chewing colleague or the one who is gossiping all the time or near the stinky toilet? Or will I get my beloved spot in the quiet corner? 😢 And I am pretty sure that I am not the only one struggling with this...
Oh my goshhhhh!! I’ve never heard of this!!! What a nightmare.
Oh no! I agree-i'm sorry you have to go through this!- This would be my grown-up-nightmare version of what middle-and-highschool cafeteria was like!
Wishing you the best solutions/outcomes.
Thank you @@MomontheSpectrum and @with_compassion. At my workplace they currently 'just' discuss this concept and want to implement it. I try to be a voice for neurodivergent people. But unfortunately they explain at the moment, that it is so successful especially in the US (I live in Scotland) and I should just wait and see: "It is not as bad as you imagine it. It's not a big deal" Well, fingers crossed that they will listen to me and others of the community in my workplace... Your feedback helped me, that I am not the only one freaking out with this thought... 🙂
This is very helpful!
Thanks!
It's nice when you realize that your workplace already does most if not all of these.
Thanks for this video. I think that it will help me figure out what I can ask for.
I'm struggling so hard in this office and other places my whole life at first I was blaming everything on my ADHD but I've realized it's something more and I'm waiting to get a yes or no for getting asd testing. I'm making mistakes regularly not once in a while like everyone else in the office I'm making more mistakes compared to the girl in the office who have add. That and the stuff in this video I have struggled with my whole life. I'm going nuts 😭😭😭😭I can't contain myself anymore I want help so bad
I really like this video and I think these suggestions are great, if they're willing to do these at your work that's amazing! Most workplaces will laugh you out of the building if you suggest these though, from my experience unless they're legally required to do them, they won't. I think its hard too since a lot of autistic people work in retail and they won't give you any accommodations there, they'll just do the thing where they'll give you almost no shifts till you leave on your own...speaking from experience here. I worked in retail for several years and all the jobs I had never worked, cashier work and meltdowns don't go well together and there's no accommodations that can fix that. Ended up going back to school and becoming an artist and photographer along with guinea pig parent (my special interest), entrepreneurship is one of the best career paths for autistic individuals in my experience though its a struggle to get started!
Fluorescent lights...I can hear them. My mother took me to certain brightly lit stores as a kid and I hated it more than anything. The sound was too much.
First we have to accept ourselves!!😊 I work in a school second shift and had an awesome teacher email the entire staff to let them know I was neuro-spicy autism/adhd, repetitive ticks and empath. This was to make me feel comfortable being myself at work. I am a heavy stimmer when I talk to people and can stutter and stammer. I was also a heavy masker. I did have and assistant principle tell me to calm down because of the way I present when I went to him with an issue. There were people around and I said to him while wearing my autism hoodie, "it's my autism" as he procede to tell me to be calm again. I cried at work in a safe space with a teacher for the first time in my life. I emailed the teacher and asked if he forgot about the email that was sent out at the beginning of the school year and explained exactly how I felt at that moment about what had happened. We had good conversation about the situation and got a sincere apology. I felt violated with my disabilities and needed to right the situation. Thinking of getting a tee shirt that says "Let Me Stim Bro" 👍😎👻🌶
I’d love to see a video about the different levels of autism. I am level one and I’ve always wanted to get some more information on how the different levels are determined or what each level “looks like”.
I read somewhere recently that the level system is obsolete, Level 1 'replaced' Asperger's for awhile but neither appear in the DSM-V at all. It's just Autism Spectrum Disorder, no levels, no different names.
A few weeks ago homeoffice was cancelled for me, after 4 years.
I can not put into words how much panic, unease and anxiety I felt before the first day back at the office.
I am undiagnosed so I litterally don't have the words. Or I can't use those that would explain it in a way others might understand..
It was really hell and is still hard, but at least it gets better with routines. Though it still drains me to be there.
I just wanna say noise cancelling headphones are a real godsend in an open-space office. It is like a mini holiday for my buzzing brain and I can only recommend those.
In case someone is in a similar situation :)
My system craves light. Even artificial, the brighter the better.
Make sure the cleaner only uses one spray of cleaner rather than getting trigger happy on the spray bottle. I got an immediate migraine and can no longer use a cleaner i had used for decades with no issues because my mum overused it on my kitchen counter. I had to go to bed to recover. I felt soo sick.
The clear instructions and a Timeline!! Also my boss makes me feel stupid for asking questions but just gave me a talk about how I need to keep ahead of all the changes (company reshuffle) and told me to ask more questions 🤦♀️ I'm not brave enough to disclose my diagnosis (I feel like I'm faking everything and should just try harder). It's driving me to distraction and my therapist said I should just find another job - but I've only been there 5mths and it is work from home 2 days a week. What do I do hive mind??
You're right in being cautious, as talking about autism can lead to even more discrimination. Take your time in checking if it's safe, do other people there talk about their issues? Have other people "come out" with whatever differences they have. You could try to show that you do better work when at home than in the office, and give no details as to why. I know exactly how it feels, and it's not easy, it takes a lot of energy to navigate all this. Good luck ! :)
Walk and talk meetings are a no from me. I am not coordinated enough to take notes and walk at the same time. My working memory sucks so i need to take notes
When will you be doing a link up with Yo Sandy Sam?
Would love to collab with Yo Samdy Sam anytime!
I agree, but I wouldn’t be able to ask these things. Scares me to death.
Maybe being neurodivergent makes me a little biased, but aren't at least half of these just good management practices? Everyone benefits from clear expectations and regular feedback, neurodivergent or neurotypical.
Doubling down on the don't put me in a group activity. It's the worst feeling in the world. Especially when managers are taught to call on quieter people to make sure their voices are heard - which is great for neuro=typical people. If you put me in a group and then call on me when I'm not saying anything - that's the absolute most miserable thing in the world. I feel like a total idiot with nothing to contribute. Then I want to go hide in a hole and cry because I start believing there is something terribly wrong with me. I need space to think and write things down - I can't just take in everything that's happening and provide immediate feedback. Not how my brain works.
Sometimes, despite the best of intentions, these new ways of functioning for managers is so damaging for neuro-divergent people.
I just bought the 'book' (I had entered 5 dollars instead of 0 because I thought it was a complete book and I wanted to donate something for it) however, it turns out to be a kind of folder with links to other books or courses to purchase.
I'm in the process of asking for more accommodations. I always had to make my own accommodations, I got super proficient at creating guidelines and timelines that actually benefit others too. But WFH remains an absolute no and a taboo. My boss demanded I explain why it's any different than being in my office with the door closed. How do you explain this to a NT person in 5 minutes, especially without coming across as needy (which is the main reaction we get when we ask for help). Thankfully, I have a great therapist who can support me there, but we shouldn't always have to justify every single "ask". Just believe us, NT people won't be able to actually understand what we experience, just as much as we won't know what they experience either. I do great work when I am at home, way more efficient and encompassing than in the office, why is it so hard to let people be at their most productive?
Don't talk to people who are eating. I have nearly choked a number of times trying to eat quicker so i could respond to a question asked just after i took a bite of my lunch. I turned blue once and a coworker had to hit me really hard on the back to dislodge the food.
for me I'll take face to face over emails or written communication any day, but do not make me communicate by phone. I will be unable to focus enough to answer questions nor to direct to the appropriate person who can. even if I try to make a script.
OMG that cleaning odor is a killer to me, it gets me sick for couple of days lol
Never thought this is an autistic thing 🤣🤣🤣
I have a suggestion for a new topic, why it seems to me that I am the only one happy for the autism diagnostic while everyone in my family they are feeling sorry for me / disgusted or they don’t believe at all !!!
It's a rough one. We feel happy because our lives suddenly makes perfect sense. Others might not want to change their perspective or just don't care. Often the disbelief comes from people who will say "this is all perfectly normal, stop wanting to be different"... and it often turns out these people are also autistic but never found out. 😁
@@Sunila_DragonladyCH 100% true, I am super happy because I feel I found my identity, and it explains a lot of who I am and why I think and act the way I am :)
And for my immediate family I think they are autistic because we share same dna lol
Corporate workplaces actively encourage the discrimination and isolation of anyone who isn’t talkative and collaborative. Every appraisal I’ve had, my quietness has been an “issue” and told I’m not a “team player”
It's nice to understand that I'm not as crazy as some have made me feel and reassuring to know my old bosses were truly torturous lol
Lol, in my workplace? Yeah right… in my dreams only
So ask yourself what do you work in your dreams? And then find a way to make it come true. I did that and I love my work.
Unscented cleaners!!! Yes. Yes. Yes.
I'm on the spectrum but completely disagree with the notion that harsh chemical smells in the air is "not good for our immune systems."
I'm going to need to see some supporting documentation to back up that claim. I also work as a custodian. True, the smells from the chemicals are annoying and they can make me sneeze occasionally. It's also true that different people have different sensory triggers. Personally, I love bright light and dimming the light down would be worse. However, I absolutely hate flickering lights, 4300k color temp lights (aka florescent and greenish), and I even have a mild dislike for very bluish light (anything over 6500k). This means we need full rectified and high CRI LEDs for me, ideally at 5600K but 6000-6500k will be ok.
Thing is, organizations will just make a list that's titled "Things we give as accomodations to all neurodivergent people"
It'll be filled with things like "air purifiers" and "dim lighting" and "picture filled pamphlets"
None of those would work for me. The pamphlets would be littered with short hand text that I would need clarification to decipher. The images wouldn't correspond correctly for me, and it would end up being a waste of time. If I complained about the dim lighting then I'd be given a choice of having no accomodations or being forced to suffer from the ones that don't work for me.
Again, everyone is different, but sadly the world and society thinks everyone is the same. It's why I'll never get along with anyone and why I'm planning on leaving this hell hole of an existence next February
Work From Home is the 🐐
Microphone is too amazing. I hear your tongue or something when you talk. It is killing me.
Awesome Mic
Work from home is number one for me. And, don't put us in a noisy room full of people talking and expect good results.
I've just got to ask as an autistic person that doesn't work in an office. What are these workplaces? I don't feel that many of these accommodations are relevant to anyone working outside of an office and I personally wouldn't see many autistic people working in those settings not only for literally all the reasons you've listed but also because those aren't easy jobs to get, especially if those autistic people maybe also have learning challenges, or just can't keep up in that environment. Also it's way easier for a workplace to just fire them than expend resources to make all those changes for one individual, surely? Not to mention making the autistic person universally despised if those working around them are expected to change also. Maybe this is me overthinking, or coming from my own awful experiences in workplaces, but I can't help feeling that if the people were clued up on ND conditions, they'd actively be making those changes, and if they aren't clued up, they'll likely just refuse instead, so I guess it might be helpful to have advice for when accommodations at work are refused too?
Can't agree to walk-and-talk meetings. They lack the visual part I need in meetings, and make it difficult to write/draw notes.
Sure, standing meetings would be the worst, but I actually prefer sitting down.
I tried everything nothing worked I always wanted to be an actor but was never allowed to be myself or given the opportunities
Buy a quieter paper shredder and printer. Please.
there is a clicking sound or something in the audio, I can't focus on what you are saying
And don't single out an employee.
Seems like everyone and their mother are getting diagnosed with autism these days. It’s the new cool in thing to do.
How about not choosing a profession where you need accommodation?