Moderate Support • Mid-Career • Goal 2:
Reevaluate Workplace Supports
Action step 1.
Scan your workplace environment to identify your unique challenges.
Many autistic people have differences in social communication, sensory regulation, executive function and movement that can pose challenges in the workplace. For example, some people might feel overwhelmed when working in a loud environment. Others might struggle to work under bright fluorescent lights.
You can identify challenges by scanning your environment and considering your own differences in light of your job duties and work environment. You may find that your differences have changed over time or that they affect you differently when you change jobs.
Resources
Words to know
Action step 2.
Identify allies in the workplace.
Allies are people you can talk to when you need advice or support related to your job. Different people might be suited to help you with different needs.
Allies in the workplace might include:
- Human resources staff
- Coworkers
- Managers or supervisors
- Job coaches or other disability services professionals
Words to know
Action step 3.
Review the employee handbook.
As part of your training at a new job, you may receive information about company policies in an employee handbook. It’s important that you understand the guidelines and procedures your employer expects you to follow.
The employee handbook will answer many of the questions you might have as a new employee. For example, it might explain the dress code, sick and vacation time policy, the code of conduct and other important guidelines.
Action step 4.
Explore social and communication strategies for better interactions with your coworkers.
Interactions between coworkers make it possible to work as a team. Professional interactions are focused on job tasks, but coworkers also interact casually. They might talk about shared interests and activities to get to know each other and make work more fun.
It’s important to follow company guidelines and respect boundaries in both types of interactions. If you don’t feel confident in social situations or if you’re unsure if an interaction is appropriate, review your employee handbook or check in with a family member, friend or workplace ally. A job coach can offer you and your coworkers guidance on how to improve your social interactions at work.
Resources
Words to know
Action step 5.
Develop a crisis plan to prevent and cope with being overwhelmed in the workplace.
There are times when the unexpected may happen and you may become overwhelmed at work. It could be caused by an extra busy day, a stressful event or a fire alarm going off. Developing a plan to avoid these situations and support yourself if they do happen is an important part of advocating for your needs in the workplace.
Your crisis plan should also include ways to calm yourself after those stressful events, either on the job or when you go home after work. Tools you can use at work include:
- Taking a short break
- Drinking some water
- Sitting in a quiet space
- Using a fidget toy
Plans for after work may include:
- Exercising
- Taking a bath
- Playing with pets
