Workplace consultant...what can I expect?

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So, because of certain difficulties at work, I've agreed (reluctantly) to my employer's idea of getting an autism consultant in to help me integrate. I'm excellent at my job so it's good that they think I'm worth the expense, I suppose.

But now I'm scared. I have no idea what to expect.

Has anyone else had a consultant in? What do they do? What do they ask? How do they help?

I'm sort of freaking out right now.

I honestly don't know what exactly their job entails.

I met a guy one, friend of a friend, who did this. He was a very nice guy, with a calming sort of presence (he must've been good, if he's a near stranger who could get me to talk). He said he had a handful of clients he was assigned to and he would help them cope at work.
I don't know anything more specific, sorry.

Man...that is really something!

That's the value of doing a good job--employers will be more inclined to use progressive methods, rather than merely trying to find a way to fire a person.

That's another reason why I tell people to avoid retail/fast food at all costs. Do you foresee a manager at McDonald's hiring an "autism specialist?"

Ye I do think it's quite something - I was originally brought in for disciplinary due to some unintentional 'rude comments' and failing to react to greetings. And considering I'm still in my probationary period, they could very easily have let me go there and then.

But what I'm looking for is specifics. It really would help if I knew exactly what to expect. Uncertainty bothers me.

That actually sounds pretty sweet. You're getting a consultant to help you do your job better and help other people support you more. Sounds like you're highly valued by your employer.

But this is definitely a step in the right direction vis-à-vis the relationship between employers and people with autism--and how people with autism could offer their own perspective, leading to improved results for the company as a whole.

Uncertainty certainly sucks! I could vouch for that!

Try and tell the consultant what you want to change for you (and what things you find difficult and easy).

Autism/Aspergers is not a one-size-fits-all condition so any adaptations need to be fitted to you, not to a generalised set of rules.

they will most likely try and find out which workplace adaptations they can make for you.
things like a seperate room, allowing you to wear sunglasses and/or earbuds (with music, perhaps) or extra breaks are all quite common adaptations to allow those on the spectrum to cope better.

these concultants typically are not after trying to diagnose; they operate on the assumption that a diagnosis is present (whether or not one actually is there), and try to find common ground between employer and employee to make the best out of the situation that inconvienences neither