Working in a Hospital, Disclosure, and dealing with NTs.

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I couldn't really come up with a title that addresses the scope of my concerns here, but I suppose if you're reading this, then it was enough to get you here. I work in small local hospital in Medical Records. For the most part, my job is rather 'Autie/Aspie friendly' in that there are not a lot of social demands* or sensory distractions on a regular basis.

That being said, however, when these issues do manifest themselves, they can be rather extreme. As an example;

Once a month, we do what are called 'socials'. This is basically, where everybody in the ENTIRE hopsital, (The specialty clinic, ER, OR, Lab, Family Clinic, and PT employees, plus all the various offices.) meet on one of the 'large' areas of the hospital. There is typically food, raffles, the CFO gives out department and employee of the month awards. 200+ people crammed into a small space, talking. I'm sure most of you have no problem imagining how terrible this can be.

I work under fluorescent lighting, which is annoying on it's best days, and completely distracting and nauseating on its worst, though this is typically when I've not had enough sleep.

And of course, working in an office full of NT women, I'm often presented with social situations I've no idea how to handle.

Now, DO NOT misconsture this. I am not complaining. I love my job, and it's the best I've ever had. Certainly advantageous to my plans to become a Medical Transcriptionist.

During the last social, I nearly had, (or did, depending on your definitions) a breakdown/anxiety attack/ sensory overload type situation. I offset the flourescent lighting by keeping lamps on my desk, and often wear headphones to keep people from talking to me and to tune out sensory distractions.

I only tell half truths when people ask whats wrong with me; "The lighting gives me a headache." "Crowds make me anxious." "Music helps me concentrate." Yet, I get the sense that people are becoming increasing aware of my oddities.

I'd very much like to be open about my autism, and I would like to sport a puzzle piece or some such trinket, and openly participate in autism awareness and autism pride type activities.

I am concerned, however, that disclosure would affect me negatively. Would I be denied advancement? Would I be viewed as 'less than' by my peers and employer?

Would I benefit from disclosure, other than having the satisfaction of being honest with who I am?

Thanks for reading, and helping. I know this is a long winded post and probably not the easiest, flowing read, so I thank you all for your patience.

*That I'm aware of, anyway.

---COMPLETELY UNRELATED-- That was my 111th post on 11-1-11!! ! (Consecutive ones in a date and time hold special meaning to me and a friend, so thats kind of cool. That is all.)

!

Anyways...

I don't have much experience, but, personally, I think you should be honest with yourself, and be fully truthful about your oddities. As for being viewed as 'less than', I think that is kind of ridiculous. If you're good at what you do, I don't see why you would be denied anything.

Perhaps I am being paranoid, but then again, it should be noted that I live in west Texas. Folks in this part of the world are not the most open minded.

I work in Medical records too and they don't mind us having fans, lamps, and headphones. Most of the people I work with keep to themselves so no problems there! (just wanted to add that)

How long have you been working there? If you just started I would wait some time before bringing it up. However, hospital type settings are usually pretty warm and open to those kinds of things so it probably wouldn't hurt you.

I hope to post something at 11.11am on the 11/11/11

I've been there almost six months, now give or take a bit. I'm not good at reading people, period, but my boss is especially difficult to read. It's hard for me to say what she thinks of my performance. It would not surprise me to learn that she was on the spectrum given the way she expresses herself.

I think I'm doing very well.

I was originally hired part time, with nothing to suggest that a full time position would be offered, or even a possibility. A month or so later, she promoted me to full time.

So, there's that.

She's also the kind of person that only correct and points out the wrong, and rarely says anything about the good, which makes it hard to tell where I stand in here eyes.

I just filled out a six month evaluation, but havent gotten her responses back yet.

And it's not that I want any special treatment or changes to be made on my behalf, (though if it were possible for me to relocate away from those damn fluorescents, I'd do that in a heartbeat.)

Why, yes, yu could benefit from some sort of special treatment from your boss, for example if you tell her that you're autistic and cannot read her, you could maybe be able to have her give you proper feedback and stop being so cryptic

I think it may be good to let people know. I find when people KNOW a reason behind the oddities, they're a lot more understanding. Also, if you are fired or if people DO treat you worse, you have a discrimination acts you can set on them, so they'll also be a little more weary and understanding to avoid that.
Maybe just don't go into overboard and jump into it. Don't go around announcing it, but if people do ask what's wrong, if you explain to them the basics, I'm sure they'll be more understanding.
At least, this is what I believe and feel. I'm also pretty Aspie, so I also see things differently from NT and this is my view. It could be wrong.

When I worked at a restaurant they had an employee of the month give aways. I was given employee of the month seven times over the nine years I worked there. They gave some prize like a free dinner for two at some other restaurant. I never took the prize and acted pissed off when they gave it to me they kept giving it to me as a form of harassment. They would give people with cars a dinner at restaurant next door to our restaurant literly walking distance but since they knew I did not drive they would give a free dinner at a restaurant on the other side of Buffalo over 10 miles away. They all would get a big laugh at that so I would smile take the envelope then tore it to pieces so I could hear the boss b***h about wasting money when he would ask me for the envelope so he could take his girlfriend out for a free meal on my so called reward. I should have come in shooting at that place.

There is no disrespect intended, because maybe I just missed something, but I don't really see how this is relevant to the topic at hand. Or were you 'harasses' because you disclosed your autism?

I have worked in a hospital in the UK for about 3 years but in more of a secretarial/admin role. We don't have anything like the social. I disclosed to my immediate team i.e. line manager and 2 full time people as we were crammed into a tiny office and it was obvious I was regularly leaving for appointments such as assessments and counselling. As they were 2 nurses and a sympathetic administrator in a hospital used to confidentiality I felt they were more open to hearing about medical conditions. I disclosed what was necessary to my line manager I don't think they want more than one or two details unless they are genuinely being friendly beyond being a colleague. I wouldn't tell everyone, just one or two closer people or managers that maybe should know. I asked for some adjustments-having emails sent round or my line manager writing down notes instead of just telling me verbally.
Re: the social if there are 200 people will anyone notice if you are there all the time? Can you just not go?! Can you find a buddy or a small group of more friendly colleagues to stick with so you can hide behind them to some extent and join in with what they do/where they sit/stand. You could ask them to tell you when they are leaving. Can you leave for intervals to be alone, and then go back again. Is there a window or can you stand near the edge or by a door so you are slightly less "trapped." My counsellor said I was really brave and did really well for going to a wedding and shouldn't feel ashamed that I left for an hour or so for a lie down and got weepy and that other people with AS would just not go. Similarly you are doing really well for going when it is difficult for you. She also suggested working with sensitivities for nice textures I could carry round something that feels/smells nice so that when stressed I could touch it/smell it for reassurance. Also to think about my AS strengths such as attention to detail when stressed.

The socials are always in a different place, each month it is hosted by a different department, and is generally held in their departmen, (assuming there is room.) I found out this morning that there will be one this afternoon. Eventually, we'll have to host one too.


This is a small establishment where everybody knows everybody. Last time I tried to skip one, a couple of the girls came back saying the CFO was wandering where I was. I'm not sure if that was just friendly-type behavior, or if it's important to attend these event from a social standpoint.

During the last large social, my boss noticed I was having some trouble and recommended I go outside, after everything was over. (I was sitting at my desk staring at the floor and rocking a bit, and whenever I tried to speak I was all gaspy and such.) SO perhaps there is some understanding there.

The whole thing about having boss write down notes would be a tremendous help, actually.

The socials are really hard for me, and after 'surviving' one, it's really hard for me to get back into working gear.

I'm on my lunch break, so this is kind of a hurried post. I'll check back in later, and let you know how it went. Sometimes, they aren't terrible.