The symptom of those on the autistic spectrum can often be viewed negatively, as in the film The Rainman. Raymond the autistic brother initially appears to have nothing but negatives in his behaviours. Yet he has amazing memory for remembering the sequence of cards in a pack.
As I have mentioned in a previous blog we have great skill sets just waiting to be used, at work, home, anywhere in fact. To get these skills and therefore the best from us it’s necessary to win our trust to build up our confidence.
This may not be easy. 75% of autistic people are bullied at school according to the National Autistic Society, with only 16% in work. I like many only got diagnosed following misunderstanding at work, resigning after months of bullying. The damage from childhood bullying does not disappear as soon as we become adults, but remains a part of us. Lose our trust and it is hard to regain. We may not even tell you, just remaining polite in or interactions.
So how to win our trust, and benefit from our talents I hear you thinking.
I shall briefly go into 3 ways
1. Take time to get to know us
Our communication, how we prefer to fit in and interact. Ask if unsure. Our ways are our ways. Once you know one autistic person you know one autistic person.
2. Buddies/Mentoring at work
To help with any issues at work, particularly those arising out of misunderstandings at work. This does not need to be a colleague or manager, but possibly HR or a charity. That person must be felt to be trusted by the autistic person
3. Reasonable adjustments
To work and the environment. This could include computer screens, lighting and being allowed time out if feeling stressed
All these fall into guidance I have put together, helping increase confidence on all sides.
Do this and the likes of Nikola Tesla, Albert Einstein and Temple Grandin will feel welcome and flourish. Please contact me if you would like more information.
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