Autism is not a cut-and-dried condition that affects everybody the same way – it’s on a spectrum. Many people with an autism spectrum disorder (ASD) lead fulfilling lives and are gainfully employed in high-level professions with complex job duties.
However, if you’re “on the spectrum,” that doesn’t mean your life wouldn’t be a lot easier if you had a few reasonable accommodations in the workplace. Here’s how to approach your employer:
Identify your needs so you know what you want
Start by looking at the specific challenges you face in your work environment and how they negatively impact your job performance. Consider things like the challenges you face due to sensory issues, social issues and work structure and make a list of the specific requests that you may need to make.
While every situation (and person with an ASD) is unique, some common accommodations might include:
- The ability to listen to your headphones or wear earplugs so that you can shut out the background noise around you and reduce sensory overload
- Other measures that may help with sensory overload, such as moving the office printer away from your desk or moving your desk to the far corner of the office, or simply changing the lighting around your workspace
- Accommodations to help manage your stress, such as flexible scheduling, modified breaks, or one-on-one communication when there are changes in procedures so that you can freely ask questions and extra time to adjust to new routines
Asking for accommodations for ASD can be intimidating – but most employers understand their obligation under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) to engage in an interactive process with employees who make these requests. If you find that your employer falls in the other camp, however, it may benefit you to learn more about your rights.