Some Support • Late Career/Retirement • Goal 1:
Advocate for Yourself in the Workplace
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.
Every individual and workplace environment is unique. You can identify possible challenges in the workplace by scanning your environment and considering your unique differences in light of your job duties and work environment.
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.
Consider workplace accommodations.
Under the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA), employers are required to provide reasonable accommodations to employees with disabilities. An accommodation is an adjustment to your job duties or environment that makes it possible for you to do your job. Consider your social communication, sensory regulation, executive function and movement differences and what would help you do your job effectively. Some examples include:
- Physical accommodations, like changes in lighting or noise reduction devices.
- Communication accommodations, like using prepared scripts or asking for instructions in writing.
- Executive function-related accommodations, like using visual cues or asking to audio record meetings.
You may also have loss of strength, physical limitations or health issues that require accommodations to keep you safe.
Resources
Words to know
Action step 4.
Consider transitioning to part-time work.
Some people continue to work part time after they retire, either in the same field as their career or in a different field. Depending on your age, there may be a limit on how much income you can earn if you are also collecting Social Security benefits.
