‘Pretty unusual’
Today, digital learning manager James, who is autistic, has agreed to share the positive experience he has had at work since being diagnosed with autism earlier this year.
Autism is a lifelong developmental disability which affects how a person communicates with and relates to other people and how they experience the world around them.
‘Hi, I’m James and I’m autistic,’ said James. ‘I’m pretty unusual as I’ve been diagnosed as an adult. Most autistic people are diagnosed during childhood, so finding out something so intrinsic to who you are as a person at the age of 31 was quite a challenging experience.
‘Last year I experienced high levels of upheaval both inside and outside of work just before Christmas and I found it all a bit too much. I’d tried to deal with it by myself, which didn’t work and my wife desperately encouraged me to get extra help, but I stubbornly resisted.
‘I found it really hard to make that first call to my manager. We’d worked together for years and I knew she’d support me and respond positively, but I still found it difficult to pick up the phone and admit that I needed help. My manager was absolutely key to me calling both my GP and First Class Support* to get the help I needed, and she was there for me through my diagnosis journey and in understanding ways that I could adjust the way I work.
‘The next challenge I had was that our function was restructuring and my manager was leaving the organisation. I didn’t know my new manager Mel, and the thought of having to start the conversation again was quite daunting. But by the second time we met, I felt able to share my diagnosis and quickly realised that my concerns were completely unwarranted. Mel listened to me and provided proactive support.
‘Autistic people are all very different and this can cause misunderstandings when people make assumptions about what autism is. My colleagues listened, made the effort to understand me as an individual and didn’t judge, which means I’ve been able to bring my “whole self” to work.
‘I’ve also been able to share my experiences as an autistic person at work so if anyone reading this is going through a diagnosis process themselves and wants to talk, please do get in touch.’
Support for you
Many of our people balance parental and caring responsibilities with their careers. We aim to help them balance these duties with their day-to-day working life. Our Parents & Carers steering group advocates for carers and offers support to those who need it. They can support you with formal flexible working requests and approvals and advise you on the types of flexible working available.
*First Class Support is available 24/7 and is completely confidential. Call 0800 688 8777 for direct access to mental health support as well as to receive financial, relationship or legal advice.
