Thinking of disclosing

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So, I'm thinking of disclosing to my employer that I have ASD.

I wasn't planning on doing this, but as I get more responsibilities and am expected to do more I'm realizing I may need a little bit of accommodation to do my job as well as possible. Asking for that without disclosing? Presumptuous. Makes me look bad.

Really, I just want my job duties in writing and my weekly schedule emailed to me. Shouldn't be a big deal. There's other minor annoyances I could address but I don't think asking for anything like that would be helpful in the long term. The store is understaffed right now and I'm in line to take on more in the coming weeks; I don't want to throw down ideas that might make me seem like they might restrict my ability to do that; I'm not naive enough to think that it won't change perceptions of me as an employee.

I've never actually done this before and don't have a clear picture on what is a "reasonable accommodation" under the ADA. I don't know the process for doing this. It's especially weird because I'm not used to telling anyone about my autism. I'd certainly want to keep any explanation as concise and to-the-point as possible.

Any tips?

I can answer this question, as I'm currently analyzing data on this very subject for a sociological study I'm doing. I can't tell you the numbers but I can speak generally. Other members here can give personal experiences.

Under the ADA, only a written disclosure from a doctor counts as legal protection, which would obligate them to reasonably accommodate you. This would be either a document with the diagnosis on it and other personal information blacked out, or a letter from your doctor. You would give it to HR and/or your boss. Then you would ask, again, in a letter, for what you want as accommodations. "Reasonable" is subjective.

Many people disclose to their bosses and co-workers informally to explain accommodations or behavior that they think the other people may have noticed. Some people DO ask for accommodations without speaking about autism, and their accommodations are almost always granted. A few people are given autism-associated accommodations without asking for them, over the course of their careers. This could be something like your boss notices that something bothers you, so (s)he makes an adjustment for you that is not made for the other workers, like a better desk space or more clear directions.

In making your decision, I would recommend that you spend some time thinking about what accommodations you need and want. Are these a big deal? If they are, maybe you need to disclose. If it's something minor, you could probably just say you are more efficient with X or Y and people will make adjustments for you. They will be more likely to make adjustments if you are a helpful worker and have a history of being easy to get along with.

Thanks, that's very helpful. Getting that written disclosure is fairly easy.

My inclination is to disclose as little as needed and ask for as little as needed. However, I think there is some merit in giving a little more information. I've had some people at work notice that certain tasks take me a little more time or give me some trouble. They get done very well in the end, just a bit more slowly. Giving the folks in management some basic knowledge of why that is might actually help. I'm just not sure how much information I want to provide in addition to that formal disclosure; probably a diagnosis and a few brief "bullet point" explanations of the aspects of it that are relevant to the job.

There's likely only a few people who would even be aware of the whole thing.

I don't feel right just asking for these things (which are minor, yes) without giving at least a little background as to why they're important. It just doesn't sit well with me.

Yup, it might head off any future problems.

I also recommend that you provide your own definition of autism along with your first mention of it. You want to tell them how to think of autism as it relates to you, and probably stress that not all autistic people are alike.

How well does your employer, and your co-workers know autism?

They might have a very different conception of autism as we do, who are usually more knowledgeable than most.

I'll tell you one thing: if you hear somebody call somebody a "Rain Man" or something in your office, I wouldn't disclose. If somebody lauds Temple Grandin and mentions Tony Attwood, then I would disclose. I know it's somewhere in the middle of those two extremes--so it's probably a tough decision for you.

What sort of work do you do, anyway?

I was looking at also disclosing. My wife and I were talking about this and she was also talking to a friend about this, we are all teachers. Her friend was not surprised about me being an aspie, in fact she gave several examples where I made social mistakes when talking to her(the friend), she stated that I was very blunt. I have lost several positions where it was not my ability to do the job as it was my interpersonal skills, although you can make the case that is interpersonal skills were important than in fact I am not fulfilling the job.
Anyway, here are the pros and cons:
Pros:
It would give people a better understanding of where I come from
People may be willing to prompt to correct me when I appear to lack social skills
Supervisors might be willing to make allowances for interpersonal skills if this knowledge is known granted I can do the job to their 'liking'
People might reach out more making me less socially isolated

Cons
People may misunderstand Asperger's thinking that I cannot do my job effectively
Asperger's is still considered a disability and as such people may actually differently, read: condescending
It may not have the desired effect: people are not computer programs, and I cannot control the output of what I input, therefore people will react the way people do
My motivation may be one of manipulation and not from one to be understood: I may want people to treat me differently, more positively, and they may not leading to more fustration, anger and depression

The ADA is a great idea but you are correct. 'Reasonable' is in the eye of the beholder. If having the 'soft skills' that I lack a requirement of the job, than being terminated is a reasonable conclusion.

I asked someone I know and he said disclosing a disability makes the employer think there is going to be a problem they are going to have to deal with and they will reject you for it.

I just wonder if there is a way to request the minor accommodations you desire WITHOUT disclosing. It seems the best option to me.

If you have any sort of amicable relationship with the decision makers, it seems perfectly within the realm of reason to ask for what you seek. The key is in how you frame your request. You need to make it about the job, and not about YOU.

I have a co-worker for whom I have to prepare various reports for three times a year. It is infrequent enough that I lose track of what she needs each time I do it. After a few years of this, I asked her if she could write me a list of what she needs each time. She gets what she needs quicker, and therefore it works out in her favor, too.

I think you'd be better off trying to negotiate for what you want WITHOUT disclosing. As others have said, once that information is out, everything else is subjective. Instead of attributing your special requests to a syndrome, just chalk up your quirks to the wide range of human behaviors. You have plenty of desirable qualities that an employer wants, especially a commitment to doing a good job. Just present the request as something that will benefit the company. If you can be more efficient, it certainly will benefit the company.

There is a balancing act between employee and employer that those soft skills come in handy for. They define their relationship in different terms, perhaps, but it is always a constant (mostly unspoken) negotiation. I think employers would respect you for your candor and respond to your initiative if you brought up your request without mentioning a medical need for it.

Don't do it. Most people, even doctors are perplexed by autism, but the one thing they will know is that your social skills are challenged. And in your job this is a liability. They may be friendly and supportive when you tell them, but ultimately you are telling them that you are not suitable for the job.
I think you should continue to progress in your current environment while trying to find more suitable employment. Don't forget, you will need a reference from your employer one day. Might as well go out with it being a good one.