Any experience disclosing it at work?

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Spooky_Mulder
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16 Jun 2018, 10:31 pm

Have you ever come out as having aspergers to supervisors and if so, how did they respond?



Nira
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17 Jun 2018, 4:51 pm

I consider, if disclose it at work. I became here some replies. Do you have any experience or you consider disclose it too?


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guitarman2010
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28 Jul 2018, 1:32 am

I never have come out and told anyone on the job about being on the spectrum. I would however say something like "I think on a different wavelength than most people" and I've never gotten a negative reaction from saying it. I avoid telling alot of people about ASD, on the job or off, because the negative stigma that's still attached to the word or label as autistic. I hate being treated differently based on that label. I guess though it really depends on your relationship with the boss and everyone.


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SteveSnow
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30 Jul 2018, 6:12 pm

There is not going to be a universally good answer to this question unfortunately. Some places and people will respond well to it and may make your life easier. Some places and people will not understand or not believe you and nothing will happen. Sadly there will be times where there is a negative reaction and your life will be more difficult if you don't lose the job for "unrelated reasons." I have disclosed my autism to a one previous employer without issue and saw no need at my current job since I am not here for much longer.


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blitzkrieg
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30 Jul 2018, 7:04 pm

Never disclosed at any of my previous jobs and got hell from employers. Disclosed it at my current employer and I'm having the best time I've ever had in a workplace in terms of the way I am treated. I like being asked if I'm 'okay' with tasks that are expected, even if it can be a little patronizing.



MrsPeel
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01 Aug 2018, 5:58 am

I've disclosed (trying to avoid another burn-out from pretending too hard to be NT) and not sure yet whether that's going to be an overall benefit or handicap - it's a work in progress.

Disclosure is not a simple, one-off process, you see. You can't just tell people you have an ASD and then expect everything to be OK. It's more a long-term process of educating people about the issues you have as they arise at work. And it has to be done in a constructive way, so that for every issue you have, you can offer a simple solution or work-around. You need to have the self-confidence to be able to advocate for your needs, but without seeming "needy", if that makes sense. It's a bit of a balancing act.

I'm still working through the process with my colleagues - I work with several different teams, and have generally told each of the team managers, as I felt they needed to know, but not yet other colleagues. I suspect that I've told enough people now that it's become an open secret, which probably means I'm going to be dealing with changes in colleagues' manner and expectations towards me. Not sure how that's going to pan out. We'll see.

If I were younger, and just starting out in my career, I would probably avoid disclosing. Because there's no doubt it's a risk, and you have to have enough skill and experience at the job to make them hesitate before letting you go. You need to give them something positive to judge you on, besides the ASD. I know it's harsh and unfair to those with little work experience, but that's the way it is.



BTDT
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01 Aug 2018, 6:15 am

It is better if they know what accommodations you need. Just telling them you have Asperger's doesn't really give them a clear outline for your issues, as everyone has a different set of issues.