AUTISM IN THE WORK PLACE:
In our last blog, we covered what and how autism operates in a person. Now I would like to discuss what autism is like in the workplace.
Autism in the workplace is a very complicated, delicate thing. Many autistic workers feel awkward and unwanted due to the perception and reaction of others. The way people react to a worker’s autism can make or break whether an ASD individual can work there or not. Based on a person’s reactions to the autistic worker, the autistic can feel embarrassed, ashamed, or even wonder why on earth they even exist.
All things I have felt, even in the workplace.
The autistic adults who struggle greatly with social cues and verbal instructions have a very, very hard time working with others. People need to be aware that first of all, whether their co-worker is autistic or not, they should treat them as a respected equal. For an autistic adult, it’s incredibly necessary. Even sarcastic or snarky jokes in relation to their autistic tendencies can hurt this person with incredible acuteness, and speaks to their personal worth (and lack therof). Besides that, sarcastic jokes and comments can go right over our heads. We cannot always pick up on social nuances. Employers can do wonders for their employees just by being patient, giving slow, simple instructions, (based on the worker, that is, some autistics won’t need that), understanding when the employee needs to get away from loud noises, strong scents, bright lights, and possibly sharp objects. Along with this certain colors, based on the individual, can frighten them, and so they may be hesitant to work with certain farm tools.
Often one of the best ways to help an autistic person work their best is to understand the level of hypersensitivity specific to that autistic person. Remember the video in the previous blog? Think of how you would function if your workplace contained noises, scents, and bright lights times 100! How well would you function trying to work while being overwhelmed by a smell so strong it could make you physically sick? Or by spotlights shown directly into your eyes? Or sudden, really loud noises? (Imagine a jet engine turned on full blast beside you). Any of us would struggle.
Many autistics struggle with meltdowns, as we discussed in our last blog. Let’s review:
A meltdown can be anything from falling apart in tears, anger and irritability, panicking and running from stressful situations, or in extreme cases, screaming and beating your head against a wall. Other types of meltdowns can be more “inward” like sitting and staring into space. Different people have different types of meltdowns, but they are cumbersome and annoying, nonetheless. They are not a simple “temper tantrum” and have been proven to be a central nervous system overload which can be caused by any number of reasons, to include bright lights, loud noises, crowded conditions, drastic changes in routine, or feeling stressed or anxious about a task. It is very important to stress again that this is an involuntary response and cannot be simply emotionally “resisted” once they occur or the person just “choosing” to calm down.
The number one thing to realize about a meltdown when working with an autistic:
It can’t just be “shut off”!
Meltdowns are a central nervous system overload. It is nothing like a child’s temper tantrum. The worker cannot be berated into calming down, no more than someone who has a broken leg can be expected to run a sprint!
Employers can help the autistic worker by:
Identify the causes. Assess the workplace to see what will trigger an autistic meltdown in the worker.
Reduce the triggers if possible. This can be done by altering the workplace, whether it be a change in lighting or including personal protection to the worker, such as hearing protection. This also could include ensuring the worker can bring a comfort item with them.
Create a safe space. The autistic worker may need a safe place to retreat to if they are struggling with triggers and are early meltdown. This can be as simple as a quiet room with low lighting, roomy, and comfortable. The autistic worker should also be allowed to carry a comfort item.
Allow the worker to recover. The time for a worker to recover can vary from 10 minutes to several hours. Working alone for a while also may help. It may be necessary to send the worker home in some cases.
A worker can also develop a feeling known as “Autistic Shutdown”, in which the entire atmosphere is so overwhelming that the person can no longer focus or can no longer speak. Sometimes hearing and sight can be affected during a shutdown as well. This can be separate from a meltdown.
An employer should be aware, should their autistic employee step away, or freeze up and stammer, this isn’t something they can avoid, and walking off by themselves is, in fact, the mature and healthy thing to do.
The autistic worker may use several techniques to help manage their autism in the workplace.
If you would recall we discussed “stimming” in the previous blog. Stimming is the act of tapping, ticking, clicking, spinning, flapping, chewing, crying, anything to cope with the environment around you. This can be very normal and helpful for the worker to continue working.
Some autistic workers rely on random quotes, facts and tidbits, or the employee muttering or reciting a show, movie or book to themselves can be completely normal.
Another topic which I missed in the last blog was “comfort items”. Many autistics have some sort of comfort item to help manage life. This can literally range from anything, from stuffed animals to weighted objects to fidget spinners. I personally have a stuffed dog that I have had for over 15 years.
Each of these are things that an autistic may need in order to be successful in the workplace.
Education for co-workers and supervisors is absolutely crucial to the success of the autistic worker. Understanding how autism works and can be managed will go far in this area. Organize a seminar for employees at the workplace. Even a farm or other workplace with only 4-5 workers can greatly benefit from an educational seminar on autism. Focus on the benefits as well as the drawbacks of autism. Including examples of well-known people with autism also will help, especially if there are examples of how that person handles their autism.
Treat autistic employees with understanding and as equals. Avoid sarcastic or sardonic comments, snark or jokes at the expense of any person. Even a joke about another person can make the employee worry about themselves, and make them think the joker is truly mocking or insulting the other co-worker.
Handling a person with autism seems intimidating. You may be afraid of offending them, belittling them, or confusing them. This kind of thing is unavoidable sometimes, and because of their autism, an employee may not understand, and may feel insulted by a certain phrase. Don’t panic or worry, this is going to happen. And we autistics understand that it will happen. After all, how is a person supposed to understand our brains if they’re not in them??
It is important however, to stay calm, give the person lots of room to be frustrated, and understand that they are most likely doing their best to be kind and calm as well.
Both sides require patience, and even if you cannot sort it out immediately, be sure to do so as soon as possible, so that neither side takes something the wrong way.
In conclusion, just remember, we are all people. People know that autistics need special things, and autistics know that people are just people who need things as well.
Thank you for reading this blog, and thank you for the consideration.
I hope that this advice can help all employers and employees alike to have a better work experience. Have a great day!
Written by Abbie Gaston and Pat Gaston
Edited by Pat Gaston
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