Looking for advice - suspected autism threatening my career

[AileenThrall]

Hello all,

This is my first post about the matter in this or any other site. I live with ADD and I've been suspecting for some time that I am autistic too. My family and close friends know (and agree) about it, but I am too scared to disclose this at work. I work with vulnerable people and I don't know if a diagnose could make me not suitable to the eyes of a care inspector. Truth is, I have done this job for almost 7 years and I have never had any accident or neglect issues of any kind. And the people I care for and their families are quite happy with me. But it does causes minor problems with my co-workers on a daily basis (mainly due to my forgetfulness). We can often work around them, but being a long-term, recurring problem it affects our team's dynamics. I feel like, if we were to treat this issues as what it really is - the symptoms or a disorder and not just plain carelessness - I could be able to offer some understanding and it would be easier to make it work. My main worry is, as I mentioned, my fear of not being able to professionally prove myself worth due to having an "autistic tag" on. I am aware that speaking up and creating visibility is my duty, but it honestly terrifies me to think I could be "banned" for life to do what I love.

My introduction has been really long. I'll be concise with my questions:

- Is there any association that backs up and help out autistic people professionally?

- If you've done so, how did you disclose living with autism in your workplace?

I thank everybody for their time beforehand. Any advice or point of view is welcome.

All the best,

Aileen.

[AWWA]

hiya, also new to this site. do you live in the states? if so, there's the americans with disabilities act. i'm not completely familiar with it, but i do know you can't be discriminated against due to medical issues. add alone is a psychological disorder and you can't be fired for mental illness/conditions. i do have to add a caveat. when we moved here and my sister got a job, she found out about something called a 'right to work' state. they claim it means you have the right to quit whenever, blah blah, but what it really means is employers can get away with firing you for no reason.

so if you do live in the states, i'd check to see if where you live is considered a right to work state. are there any advocacy websites? i'm only addressing add b/c you've already gotten that diagnosis. if you were to go for a full consultation, that might help you with more than just your job.

hopefully someone who works will respond about disclosing on the job.

[AileenThrall in reply to AWWA]

Thank you very much for your reply!I live in the UK though, but it seems like we have something similar called Equality at work act. I will have a look into that "right to work state" or its English equivalent, because seems very likely that there's something in place for employers who just refuse to deal with some stuff.

I did some research looking for advocacy from public organizations without much luck, but I might end up looking for private counseling. It sounded very hopeful when you said that it might help me with more than my job, I could really use some guidance in other aspects.

I really appreciate your answer. Take care xx

[Bee-bop in reply to AileenThrall]

Hi there,

If you have a diagnosis for ADD, you are already working with something that can affect memory etc so, you by rights should be under the equality act already. In that case "reasonable adjustments" need to made to make sure you are accommodated in the workplace. The Autism Society is a useful place to get information and your own GP the person to speak to if you want an autism assessment. However, just so you are aware-it may take some time to get the diagnosis.

In terms of advocacy, there should be a local service but, you can contact MIND the mental health charity for advice on advocacy.

Hope that helps,

Bee

[AileenThrall in reply to Bee-bop]

Hello there, thank you so much for your answer! It relieved me greatly. Even if it still feels like a point of no return, I will contact my GP to book an appointment and finally talk about this. I will also get in touch with MIND, I didn't think about them!I honestly cannot thank you enough. Your reply was of massive help. I wish you all the best.

Aileen.

[Bee-bop in reply to AileenThrall]

Glad to have helped. Good luck with it 👍

[AWWA in reply to Bee-bop]

when i was diagnosed i was already an adult. i missed all of the growing up educational aspects of care for autism, but i'm telling you my whole life changed after my diagnosis. i do have idiotic relatives pretending it's not a big deal, but i also have some who took the time to learn a bit about it and how it manifests in me. i've never been closer to them and it's wonderful to truly be seen. good luck and keep us posted!

[AileenThrall in reply to AWWA]

I'm so happy to know it changed your life in such a good way. You seem to have a lovely family that the world should learn from. I have scheduled an appointment with my GP but I've been warned this might be a long process. All the best x x

[AWWA in reply to AileenThrall]

one of the most interesting things i learned was that my mum is a superstar. when i was growing up, she actually did a lot of what i've read 'autism mothers' do for their kids (i remember the eye contact talk very clearly, she always encouraged my special interests and as strict as she could be, she backed off when i had what looked like tantrums, but were actually meltdowns) without knowing anything about autism! i always admired her, but i appreciate her so much more.❤️

[Cat33]

Please talk to your employers My son is autistic and lost jobs because he didn't disclose it

You are obviously very good at what you do and being autistic shouldn't make any difference

Wishing you all the very very best and that you continue to make a difference to so many in your care

[AileenThrall in reply to Cat33]

Hello!

Thank you so much for your message. I'm sorry to know your son lost his job because of this. It's such a difficult situation and it's not easy to make an informed decision about it. I hope he's now in a better situation. Your warm, kind words brought little tears to my eyes. I think I need to believe more in my own skills. I wish you all the very very best back

Aileen.

[Cat33 in reply to AileenThrall]

Oh bless you I'm glad I may have helped My son lost jobs because he wouldn't declare he was autistic and people just didn't understand him I once had a man say to me "Your son is strange 'It broke my heart 😢

I wish you every happiness and yes believe in your skills and remember what a special person you are and what a difference you make to people

Take care x