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Like with anyone there is a lot to consider when respecting and understanding others.  However with autistic people this has it’s own challenges in addition to working with Neurotypical and helping us settle in and feel relaxed at work, and flourish with the company

Ways to help get to know the person and therefore learn how to work best as a team

1. Pre-start talks

To follow on from my comment yesterday there are ways to ensure the autistic person feels welcome, some experienced by me.  One which I have experienced is a Pre-start talk with Human Resources and managers.  Many of the next points were discussed there.  This really helped me relax

2. List of my needs and concerns

I was asked to write this up, covering my view points of life, concerns, reactions (or lack of at times) and how to help me.  I was told this would put on my personnel file, and will help at reviews and any other discussion.  My Scout group is interested in having this too.

The importance of this is that it gives the managers, possibly with neurotypical thinking patterns an insight into my atypical world.  There can be distinct differences between the two thought patterns, affected by past life experiences.

3. Working Environment

Checking that where I sit was acceptable in terms of the enviroment and distractions affecting my ability to concentrate.  Autistic people can be very over or undersensitive to environmental factors, in my case light and movement.  It may also be helpful for some to be in a quiet area, with limited distractions.  I was told of one place they put those with these requirements together, to the benefit of the company and productivity of the autistic staff.

In some places autistic staff are given permission to take time out, if they are starting to feel overwhelmed, just communicating this need to managers by an agreed sign.  This increases productivity by reducing stress and meltdowns. Just by having this permission can reduce stress.

4. Confidence

This can be a big issue when working with autistic people when looked at from both sides.

a/ The Autistic viewpoint

75% of us (estimated) have been bullied at school, this may have occured in work as well, due to communication misunderstandings.  It takes a lot to gain our trust, but it can be easy to lose it with wrong approaches in communication.  Regaining it can be hard.  It may not be obvious that this trust has been lost as this may not be said for various reasons.

Clear, positive comments help show us we are on the right track, silence is confusing. I have misunderstood this in the past to mean I am performing well, only to be told otherwise weeks later at a review! This did not help my confidence levels to grow.

b/ The Line Manager view point

Our communications level may not be how is expected, how we express ourselves is different, quiet/too enthusiastic, we may need to be asked.  Giving positive corrections may be seen as helpful, ie you did that wrong implied, do this way, don’t answer back implied.  As  above positive comments help with clear permission for relaxed two way discussions.

I hope I have provided insight on how to understand us.  I look forward to seeing you with some more tips tomorrow.  Please contact me if you want further information.