How and when do you disclose your autism to an employer?

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I disclosed my autism to my employer of 13 years and felt that that eventually led to my being fired so I'm leary of disclosing.

However, I'm likely going to need to sign up with a temp service to get a job and I have a list of what I want in an assignment. Should I reveal that I'm autistic? On one hand, they may not like that much and so never give me an assignment. On the other hand, is it better to tell up front to potentially lessen the issues in the long run. I think if you don't reveal up front, then you may just be putting off issues until later.

Comments?

A personal opinion without much to back it up ...

No F##KING WAY!

You live it 24/7, they will probably have to Google it to figure out what it is, or think of Rainman.

If its anything like the place I work for, they get a pile of some 300 resumes (electronically) and have to sort thru them, and they are usually pressed for time, so anything that lets them push a resume into the dump pile is fine by them, to narrow it down to a few to pass onto the hiring manager.

I believe they will know something about you is different, but the manager won't know what it is. You shouldn't disclose what you have, however there should be an explanation on your behavior. Just them you something that they believe.

It can also depend on the manager's personality and your relationship with your superior.

Here's the algorithm I have come up with and I have lots of experience with this and knowledge about it.

1. Don't disclose in your resume/cover letter. If you have excellent credentials, you will get your foot in the door that way. Generally, don't put anything in there that can be taken the wrong way, including your diagnosis/es.

2. Do disclose in the interview IF AND ONLY IF your ASD characteristics are quite visible in the interview and can impact your chances of seeming "personable" or "a good fit" for the company. When you disclose, portray it in terms of strengths only (e.g. I have been diagnosed with Asperger's/autism and it makes me very focused, dedicated, and detail-oriented, which is an asset for this job). If you need accommodations for the interview, it's better to ask for them without disclosing a diagnosis, unless there is no choice to do it otherwise.

3. Once you have been hired, then ask for accommodations, if you need any. Generally, though, obviously look for a job where you will need the least accommodations and where you will fit in the best.

I agree with michael517 above. No way. To a boss or owner it may just mean that you have a problem, and want or expect special treatment. People, most people, don't want to hear about other people's troubles on the job. They do like it if you are great at getting your job down completely, and on time. Gary Larson had a great cartoon that sorta hits close to your question:

I don't. My job, Physics Technician, doesn't need too much socialising anyway and in this market, who wants to be seem like a liability to their employer?

If you could prove you were fired because of your autism, it's illegal. You might have a suit.

If, after you get the job, you need accommodations, you should tell your employer. As long as they are considered "reasonable", they legally have to provide you with them. Sometimes, if you "know" your employer, you should tell them you are autistic if you want to explain why you appear "awkward" with communication. It may help to write down a brief explanation of what it is. It could be the difference between an employer thinking you aren't listening on PURPOSE to them explaining what you need to do in a specific way to avoid troubles. I would frame the explanation in such a way that it just emphasizes you just need people to communicate in a little more directly with you or something. This way, your boss won't feel like they have to go OUT OF their way to communicate with you.

If you don't make eye contact, this could be a "saver". People may view that as being a pushover, dishonest, or any other number of bad things. If you simply have a lack of eye contact because of autism, well, it suddenly makes it more positive. Also, some employers need a certain number of people who are "different". For example, if they mainly hire straight males with no problems, hiring a woman, a POC, or a disabled person can actually be GOOD for them.

Since this is a temp agency, they might be more willing to work with you and find jobs that suit you. If you tell them upfront that you are autistic and thus can't do something very specific, you can avoid that job. A lot of disabled people go to temp agencies (at least the ones I know). Also look into finding services for disabled people to help find them jobs. I would listen to MathGirl and only frame it in a positive way. A lot of employers like employees that can just do their job without socializing (like talking to coworkers too much, being on a cellphone, etc.). You could empathize this.

1. This probably belongs in the Work and finding Job section instead of General Autism Discussion

2. It depends on if you will need an accommodation. Although for a temp agency I suggest first saying what kinds of jobs are NOs, if possible do this with out saying autism, but if they push you for why not, tell them your diagnosis. For me this includes waitress-ing because of my co-morbid CAPD (central auditory processing disorder) and executive function problems, and working in a call center (because CAPD), or anywhere I would be expected to answer phones and take accurate messages (CAPD).

3. If while working you need an accommodation, disclose. My last boss knew (although she also has Aspergers, and my supervisor's son had Aspergers too, it was a high Aspie environment). I did bring up when I was moved positions. I started out in animal boarding (keeping and caring for cats for people on vacation, business trips, moving etc), I was later moved to office helper as I have strong math and bookkeeping and filing skills. When I moved positions I also filled in at the front of the store on he retail side. This meant I was expected to answer phones. I disclosed then and asked for a way not to answer phones. I was told to try with the phones, and I did, but after a botched order, and irritating a customer (who was in a manic stage of bipolar1, but still the problem revolved around me not understanding what she was saying, and she was very upset about it). Then my boss was ok with me not answering phones and helped me find ways to have other people answer them when no one else was up front (pull someone from boarding).

4. Do not disclose as a preventative. I was pretty much black listed from getting a student teaching position by the person I disclosed my Aspergers to in a teacher training program. Ironically this was a special education specialist.

Good luck.

This assumes you have an option...

Many autistics are so obviously autistic that people see something is off right away. I once had a cab driver identify me as autistic after, like, a few minutes.

Most people don't automatically say "autistic" when they look at me, but they sure as heck know I'm not normal. I'd really prefer they know I'm autistic than think I'm on drugs.

I really like that Algorithm, Mathgirl. It's very sensible and clever.

I still don't think one should disclose until one is well-established with a company and is an indispensable employee. Employers tend to get irritated by having to give employees "accommodations." It's probably more true in the US than in more "progressive" 1st world countries.

If you're outside the "first world," fughettiboutit--as far as disclosure goes.

Questions to think about:

1. Do you need accommodations?

2. What is the job?
a. How knowledgeable about autism will the people you disclose to people?
i. Will they be more likely supportive or not?
ii. Will they likely notice if you don't?
b. How harmful will it be to you if you lose the job?
c. How likely will it be that you can tell them later without harm?

3. How do you present? Will they notice if you don't because you can't hide your symptoms?
a. Will they think you're something other than autistic but notice something is off?
b. Do you in interviews not even fake eye contact to the point where being open might improve your chances of being hired?

4. Can you discuss how your autism might benefit your ability to do the job?

I am pro-disclosure.

Well now that I finally got myself a job (didn't start yet), I have no intention of disclosing anything. Who wants to be treated like a ret*d. That's basically what most people will do if you disclose any kind of mental disorder.

I usually disclose on a need-to-know basis once I'm already working, by which I mean a this-might-save-my-job basis. If I've had a meltdown, or people on the job think my behavior is weird, and I've either been spoken to by management or feel like I'm on thin ice based on how I'm being treated, I may tell in hopes that it will cause people to be more understanding and try to work with me. Sometimes it works, but in the field I'm in, I'm also unfortunately afraid that it could work against me because people will think I am unqualified or not stable enough to do the work I do.