What is the best way to tell your boss you're Aspie ?

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06xrs
Deinonychus
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01 Jul 2006, 9:33 am

I think we're operating on don't ask/don't tell at this point. I'm pretty sure my boss knows. I've noticed her kind of making under the table accomodations for me.

I fairly certain everyon eat work probably knows, because the office gossip figured it out. I had mentioned my daughter's dx when talking with her one day and she said "Isn't that sort of genetiic?" I said yes. She said "So who else in your family has it? Your wife doesn't seem to be. Have you been tested?" I figured the horse was out of the barn at that point so I went ahead and fessed up. She's a gossip, but far from stupid and if you want to spread something around the office...you could use email, but telling her is faster.

Anyway, result is: so far no retaliation and possibly some accomodation going on.



itfits
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05 Jul 2006, 10:15 pm

My boss knows I'm different but still tries to include me in things I have no bussiness doing including dealing with pissed off client.
On the other hand he is he first person to tell me that people dont like my monotone voice (I did not know I did this) He helped me develop a workable phone voice.



sigholdaccountlost
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17 Jul 2006, 5:12 am

Wait till you have an official diagnoas then:

Excuse me Ma'am/Sir, there's something I need to talk to you about in private.


"I have Asperger's" *hands paper*.


If they do discriminate against you, then there's the DDA. Mention it if they start to, causaly. Just remind them that it falls in that category and they can be sued.



SmallFruitSong
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18 Jul 2006, 6:13 pm

Personally I think disclosing should be done on a need-to-know basis.

If you find certain aspects of your job challenging due to ASD, then by all means - tell your employer, and see what accomodations can be given. Also, if you're known for being eccentric or have displayed what has been perceived as erratic behaviour, then being open about your ASD may help explain your past behaviour and give you more leeway in the future.

It all depends on the workplace, though. If your workplace is largely friendly, then being open about your condition shouldn't be harmful.

IF I eventually discover I have an ASD, I probably wouldn't tell my current workplace. The condition isn't affecting my work performance and workmates already know I'm slightly strange ;)


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Rhisiart_Steffan
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19 Jul 2006, 11:34 am

I have the answer to this put it in your appilcation form and put it does not affects my profromance in doing the job you are adverising.


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Ryebot
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20 Jul 2006, 8:04 pm

wobbegong wrote:
Remember Dr Phil equated Aspergers with uncontrollable temper tantrums. You don't need that kind of ignorance influencing how people treat you at work.


Dr. Phil is a jerk. okay that might be a little harsh, but the truth of the matter is that he doesn't know everyhting. having a psychology degree or doctorate doesn't necessarily make someone an expert on autism or AS. a lot of extensive research is required. my wife asked her friend (who happens to be getting his master's degree in psych) about asperger's syndrome. he thought it was like down syndrome. if psychologists show that kind of ignorance, then imagine what others will say when you tell them you have AS.



emc
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24 Jul 2006, 7:37 am

There are different levels of disclosure, you don't necessarily need to disclose your diagnosis.
eg you may say you have anxiety or a different way of learning etc.

There are not only different levels of disclosure, buy you may also disclose differently depending on the position of the person you are disclosing to.

There are many websites that already explain disability disclosure.



muchacha
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24 Jul 2006, 11:55 am

SmallFruitSong wrote:
If you find certain aspects of your job challenging due to ASD, then by all means - tell your employer, and see what accomodations can be given. Also, if you're known for being eccentric or have displayed what has been perceived as erratic behaviour, then being open about your ASD may help explain your past behaviour and give you more leeway in the future.


If you are getting pulled up by your employer over performance or behaviour issues, there is a right and wrong way to disclose your diagnosis. My strong advice is that once you're told there's a problem, do what you have to do to rectify it, then explain why you sometimes find it hard to maintain that standard. Once your employer acknowledges an improvement (and if they don't, then don't be afraid to ask how them how you're going), they're more likely to see an incentive to work with you on the issue.

You will only be seen as using ASD as a get-out-of jail card if you plead your case at the first sign of trouble, or the first written warning. The more likely result is that your employer will find a way to get rid of you (anti-discrimination laws are only effective against anyone stupid enough to discriminate openly), and will never consider employing anyone they suspect to be an Aspie in the future.



Keeno
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29 Aug 2006, 1:57 pm

Unfortunately I was unable to avoid disclosing my AS to my employer, and was unable to avoid a barrage of questions about what AS is all about. It was a scary experience. But it's just one of these things.



chunkymicken
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03 Sep 2006, 7:09 am

In the UK, I would recommend telling your boss. This is because they could not claim ignorance if they failed to make reasonable adjustments to your work and environment.

(AS is counted as a disability under UK law; hence unlimited payout for discrimination)
(+employee has a duty of care to look after health of employees)



muchacha
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05 Sep 2006, 7:05 am

(sigh)...oh yes...industrial relations laws...I look forward to telling my future grandchildren about what it was like to have them in Australia... :cry:



waterdogs
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05 Sep 2006, 11:39 am

someone can pretty much just look at me and tell im half ret*d. :wink: