World Autism Awareness Day was started in 2007 by the United Nations General Assembly. It’s a day that promotes the rights of people with autism and challenges stereotypes. It’s also a day that raises awareness of the challenges faced by those with autism.
The medical term in the UK is ‘autism spectrum disorder (ASD)’, but people are moving away from using it. Many people with autism do not see it as a disorder. Instead, it’s seen as a difference. If people with autism don’t see it as a disorder, then perhaps we need to stop using this term, so that people don’t feel lesser.
Learning about autism can help us understand how to work alongside those who live with it. This is why we’re proud that one of the people we work with has sent in this blog! Thank you so much for taking the time to share your experiences, and for teaching us.
What do you feel are barriers to finding employment?
Interviews tend to be one of the hardest parts of the process for me. At this stage, employers tend to judge people on how well they play the social game and not necessarily if they are suitable for the role of the job. And this is fine if the job requires customer-facing tasks. But it doesn’t really need to be vital for all types of roles.
Tell us about barriers you experience
A lot of barriers I face as an autistic person have to do with the environment. This can be in the form of sensory issues, like harsh lighting or a large amount of noise. These things can be easily accommodated. For example, when I worked in manufacturing, I was allowed to wear noise-cancelling earphones. They took the edge off the noises and allowed me to focus on my work.
Bullying
Another big problem is workplace bullying. Colleagues and managers can sometimes feel the need to ridicule your legal accommodations or mock how you speak and move. They may micromanage you, infantilise you, exclude you, or talk about you behind your back. If we want to be by ourselves, listen to music with headphones, or stim* during our breaks, we would be a target. When in reality, what we are doing is no different from those who go on fag breaks or have a cup of tea. It helps us regulate ourselves and prepare us for upcoming work. If our behaviour harms no one or affects our role, what is the harm?
What sort of jobs would you use your skills for?
I am very detail-orientated and creative. It means the tasks I do are always to a high standard. I can think outside the box for ways to make it even better or more efficient. For example, rather than memorising every price of a service, I created a poster. It can be quickly referred to by new staff and be on show to customers. It allowed queues and inquiries to flow more efficiently. My manager loved it and wanted to keep it up. I love to do jobs that remain consistent in their tasks and shifts so that I can perfect them over time. I am a keen learner, so I always want to grow my knowledge in the role so that I can do my job comfortably and efficiently.
A message to potential employers
Give us a chance. We are true to our morals and values, so if we apply for a role in your company. That means we genuinely want to be there and will be loyal in doing so. Autistic people understand what it means to have something good. If you treat us well and our tasks are suited, we can be with your company for years, even decades. We just want the chance to prove ourselves.
