Autistic Not Alien | Work

The older I get, the harder work gets. This is probably the case for most people, but I think workplace challenges tend to be bigger and more intense for autistic people.
According to the UK government, fewer than three in ten autistic people are in work. I’m not surprised. I crave consistency, clarity, and calmness, but I’ve found that these things aren’t universally valued. When I reflect on previous jobs I’ve had, I see that being autistic has been incompatible with environments in which the most important things seem to be egos and hierarchies.
If autistic people are to thrive at work, neurotypical people need to make more effort to understand our differences.
Twitter: / neillaurenson
Website: neillaurenson.... (Poetry, politics, and other random musings.)
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For brilliant, honest, and helpful autistic content, watch Adult with Autism: / @adultwithautism
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Credits:
Photos in video by Rachel Moenning; astronaut photo by Brian McGowan - both at unsplash.com/

[@AdultwithAutism]

I've definitely worked with a few R. Sole's too...must be a common name. Great points.

[@AutisticNotAlien]

Thank you, Paul, and thank you for all you have done to support fellow autists.

[@computerlove87]

Crossover episode, crossover episooooddddddeeeeee!!! ❤

[@Ophmar4]

I remember being asked for my honest opinion at work as well... what a disaster that was.

[@AutisticNotAlien]

Yes, most people aren't being honest when they say they want your honest opinion.

[@TanwenWF]

I recently stumbled across your channel. So happy I did. Thanks for verbalising my thoughts about work so succinctly and making me smile after a really tough day.

[@AutisticNotAlien]

Thank you so much. Reading comments like yours means more than I can convey.

[@alastairboocock3405]

Yes, I've found many times there have been invitations to ask any questions and then found my questions have been rejected (as too much in the realms of critical thinking, too close to the bone/truths etc) 🙃

[@AutisticNotAlien]

Yes. "Please ask any question...ah, but not *that* question."

[@Green_Expedition_Drgn]

Absolutely agree. I was recommended your channel by "Adult with Autism". I'm from the US and we have very similar problems over here. Even though we have labor laws that are supposed to help us there is no enforcement mechanisms. Employers get away with breaking these laws every day. It's as the laws were written to just say, "see we did something for you", when in reality they don't do anything. I earned a degree in Mechatronics in 2014. One aspect of industries that allow autistics to fit in is a consistent work environment. Jobs like software engineers have a consistent work environment to fit in, as well as a consistent and expected challenge. I was working with PLC programming for my last company (undiagnosed). Even though I was in a fitting in my role well, I was working in the field and having to work with different people and environments every day and sometimes twice a day. I spent so much time reflecting on my interactions from each environment that I wasn't present in the next environment. Both unfortunately and fortunately this stress caused me to shut down and compulsively went on a cross country road trip. This trip led to my eventual diagnosis just two years ago at 34.

[@AutisticNotAlien]

Thank you for sharing your experiences. This comment in particular resonated with me: 'I spent so much time reflecting on my interactions from each environment that I wasn't present in the next environment.' I hope that your autism diagnosis has helped you to gain a more consistent, peaceful life.

[@mikko.g]

Can certainly tell an allistic person by how much appear to like their boss while the boss is watching. Autistic people won't be throwing random unearned praise towards someone they feel despise towards.. or ambivalence towards.. or preference towards.. come to think of it... probably the unearned adjective that really contributes the most to that.

[@AutisticNotAlien]

Yeah, if I praise someone, I mean it. No copying the boss just to climb the career ladder - eurgh!

[@gigahorse1475]

My biggest problem with work is executive dysfunction. Normally I get along with people fairly well. They know I’m different but most people don’t take offense to it.

[@AutisticNotAlien]

I struggle with work, and it gets harder as I get older.

[@AutomaticDuck300]

Unfortunately, “I want honest feedback” doesn’t actually mean they want honest feedback. They want you to tell them what they want to hear. They expect you to figure this out. Corporate jobs are about tiptoeing around people’s fragile egos, as well as actually doing the job.

[@AutisticNotAlien]

I don't want to agree, but I think you're absolutely right. Work can be so depressingly performative. My brain wants to solve problems, but the problem of egos is beyond me. I want peace & acceptance, not competition & bad feelings.

[@AutomaticDuck300]

@@AutisticNotAlien I feel the same way. I just want to do my job but I also have to get along with people, do well socially, and not make the manager look bad. Those are the rules for corporate survival. Unfortunately doing a really good job can make your manager feel threatened that you might one day replace them, so they might get rid of you. I’ve seen that happen before. (And some managers are just mean or awful anyway) But I refuse to do less of a good job because people might not like it. Thankfully I generally feel like I know what to say and what not to. I’m not sure though.

[@alastairboocock3405]

Yes, I've asked for any feedback to my honest feedback but I don't tend to receive any (honest or even dishonest) funnily enough 🙃

[@AutisticNotAlien]

@@AutomaticDuck300I find it bizarre that being good at a job is considered a threat to someone else's status. As I said, random hierarchies and egos. Why can't we all just do our jobs and get on with each other?

[@AutisticNotAlien]

@@alastairboocock3405 I don't think I've ever asked for feedback on my feedback. :)

[@InterDivergent]

One of my bosses, also an R. Sole, guaranteed me that I would never be able to get another job in the field, when I candidly walked out after being taken advantage of. He was right. He went out of his way to tarnish my name in the industry. Far Canal.

[@AutisticNotAlien]

People can be so horribly vindictive. I'm sorry you had to go through this.

[@stephensaspergerssyndromec5662]

Interesting video. I've come across a few people like Mr Sole myself :p. I used to work for a council. Funnily enough, the manager who couldn't be R'd paying my wages on time now has an OBE from the Queen! I couldn't help but wonder how many minimum wage zero-hours staff it took to get her to London to pick that up. I have never really understood why people always say computers are a good job for autistic people. I can see how people might get in to computers at a young age, especially if they are a bit socially isolated, and that could always be pursued into a career, but I don't see why autistic people are supposed to automatically be good at them. I was interested in computers once, but that interest dwindled after I got diagnosed. I am now quite a slow learner when it comes to computers and cannot concentrate on them for long. I certainly can't see myself working with them again.

[@AutisticNotAlien]

I wonder how many R Soles have an OBE? Probably quite a few.