Someone out there please help me! I think my boss has AS!

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Hello to anyone who might be able to help me out. I think that my boss may have Asperger Syndrom but doesn't know it. He is extreemly gifted at what he does (I mean extreemly gifted). In fact, most people either put up with him or all together hate him because of the way that he treats them. However, he is so good at his job that the upper managers that would fire anyone else want to keep him doing what he does best.

I've read about AS on wikipedia and he really seems to fit the profile. In fact, it was like reading a biography of him. What I really want to know is: 1) How should I and other employees interact with him? He is my boss and I want to do a good job, but I always seem to fall short. He interacts using a dry erase board and making diagrams, trees, or pictures to work through problems. I have a hard time doing this, but if we try to just discuss things he becomes instantly frustrated with me. He just doesn't get things verbally. I could go on and on, but let me ask question two. 2) I really believe that he has AS and so do others that work for him. How do I get info to help him without getting fired?

My dad also has AS traits. He owned a business for 11 years. It was retail and wholesale produce store. He was at times pretty harsh to his employees if I remember correctly.

Sure you don't work for me? --- just joking -

I am an aspie and a boss. For starters I think in pictures. Since you cannot see my pictures without their being drawn I need to do the white board thing or verbally describe the picture and the progress pass through the picture...

Overall it is easier on others for me to draw than talk because when I verbally describe things people keep interrupting with issues that are covered on the parts of the drawing I have not gotten to yet. So I am stuck either having to tell them to be quiet and wait or jumping from place to place in the picture.

Here are some ideas:

Try asking for a verbal overview of the picture before your boss starts to draw. Maybe that will help you.

Your boss will either over or under explain everything. Help him calibrate to the level of detail you require.

Find one of your bosses obscessive interests and share it - you will bond.

Remember your boss has to calibrate to you the same way you need to calibrate to him.

If you can do this in a nice way - you are in a very good position. You will become your bosses trusted human contact interpretation, advance warning on political stuff, and otherwise well liked seeing eye human --

Any other questions about dealing with an aspie boss ask.

Julie

It doesn't really surprise me that a boss could have AS. In fact, it's very possible. There are probably quite a few bosses out there who possess traits who aren't even diagnosed. Better yet, some of them might very well even be diagnosed, preferring to keep it to themselves.

I really hate to say this, but in the current system ... some AS types may make great bosses. And they won't be the ones that many coworkers are going to enjoy.

Companies like rigidity in their bosses. They like employees to follow rules and stick to routines, so a boss with AS may very well make that happen without even realizing it. Some AS types can't stand people who tend to break the rules, and they may get very nasty about it.

I, for one, would probably not want to work for someone with AS, yet I tend to have it myself.

Being we have AS, however, we may able to strike a chord with a boss who appears to have it. We don't have to outright address him about the syndrome or anything, but rather just focus on what he like the most. As one has already stated, find his personal interest. If you can do this, you may be set for life.

- Ray M -

As for the question of if he has it or not, it is none of your business and you should leave it alone. One of the most important things I have learned about being an aspie is that ALL people need to stop making assumptions about how or how not to communicate and try to make a little more effor to comprimpise and show a little understanding.

Try to express your needs with your boss and let him know that you will be a more effective employee is you are able to use the communication methods you are comfortable with. But dont try to diagnose your boss because its not that easy. From an outsiders perspective, it can sometimes seem like everyone has AS, but only through intense analysis of a persons whole life can a diagnosis me made.

Why do you need help? He sounds like my kind of guy. You should buy him lunch and wash his car.

Does this decribe your boss? If it does, then he is a workplace bully that needs to be controlled.

http://www.bullyonline.org/workbully/serial.htm#Guru