Workplace Resources
Practical guidance on workplace accommodations, sensory sensitivities, communication adaptations, and navigating disclosure as an Autistic adult.
Auditory Sensitivities
Many Autistic adults have difficulty tolerating certain noises. We may experience adverse emotional reactions or extreme pain when exposed to different sounds. Sometimes we can tolerate some sounds but find others excruciatingly painful.
If you find it difficult to focus on one sound source when there are other background sources active at the same time, think busy cafe, speaking on the phone while work colleagues are chatting in the room, or attempting to concentrate while multiple streams of sound surround you. Apart from being a really difficult sensitivity to cope with, this can make certain workplace settings a huge challenge, and not well suited to your neurology.
Accommodations
From staggered lunchtime breaks to private offices, the space you work in may make a big difference in empowering you to work at your best without the challenges associated with auditory sensitivities.
Consider using noise-cancelling headphones, requesting a private workspace, moving your desk to a quieter corner of the office, installing soundproofing or even working from home.
You may benefit from live and recorded captioning services. Transcribing services can transform audio notes into text. Communication by text, such as emails or text messages, may be more beneficial to you than voice or video meetings.
Each person has their own unique mix of accommodations that will free them to work to their strengths. An Occupational Therapist can help you to figure out what accommodations you need to work at your best.
Light Sensitivities
A sensitivity shared by many Autistic people is an aversive response to some light sources. Fluorescent light may often be one of the most difficult light sources to cope with, while some Autistic people find both the flickering light and high pitched noise coming from the light source to be extremely debilitating.
For some, getting into the habit of wearing sunglasses or tinted glasses can help. Others find blue-blocking glasses to be life-transforming for computer and screen work.
You may need your workplace environment changed so that your exposure to fluorescent light is minimised. Consider requesting the lighting to be modified, or for your workspace to be moved to where there is more natural light. If natural light is challenging for you, consider experimenting with full spectrum lighting or LEDs. To discuss these strategies further and develop a bespoke plan for you, book a consultation with an Occupational Therapist.
Communication Adaptations
You may find it easier to communicate in any number of ways and adaptations could be very helpful to you in the workplace. Some questions to consider:
Is it easier to communicate with your voice or by text?
If text is easier you could request more text-based communications, such as emails rather than phone calls or video calls.
Do you find online video calls helpful or distracting?
Adaptations on video calls can include leaving your video off, using text in the chat box instead of voice, hiding your image of yourself if you must have the camera on, and taking rest and movement breaks.
Are you a literal thinker?
The majority of Autistic people naturally process language literally. When conversing with non-literal thinkers there may be communication differences which cause miscommunication of concepts. Some of us may have developed the ability to assess the context in which the speaker has used words and then be able to translate their message, but this extra translating burden costs mental processing energy and can cause a delayed response.
Do you prefer open or closed questions?
Many Autistic people find open questions where we can imagine multiple potential answers very difficult to respond to in a brief timeframe. We often find it easier to answer closed questions where the requested information is very specific.
Do you prefer live or asynchronous communication?
Many of us prefer asynchronous communication where we have time to process what is being said or requested and time to consider our responses. If this resonates with you, you could request more asynchronous communication in your team, or adaptations such as receiving information about meetings in advance, and then extra time and opportunity to feed back to the team either between meetings or at the beginning of the next meeting.
If you would like to discuss your specific communication needs and adaptations to free you to work at your best, contact one of the Occupational Therapists listed on our directory for a free consultation to see how they can support you to self-advocate for your needs.
Workplace Disclosure Guide
The Workplace Disclosure Guide provides essential insights for Autistic individuals considering whether to disclose at work. It highlights the benefits of disclosure, such as the ability to request tailored adjustments, reduce the stress of masking, and foster a deeper understanding of neurodiversity in the workplace. The guide equips you with strategies to navigate these conversations positively and effectively.
The guide also addresses the challenges one may face, including the risk of encountering stigma or lack of support. It offers a candid look at these potential difficulties, preparing you to weigh the pros and cons of disclosure carefully. With this balanced guidance, you can make an informed decision that best aligns with your personal and professional goals.
Accommodations Workbook
Download our free self-help workbook to identify and plan the workplace accommodations that will help you work at your best.
Neurodiversity Affirmative
Workplace Training
Interested in your workplace learning more about how to support Neurodivergent people?
We can offer training for staff, coach leaders, and provide bespoke solutions tailored to your organisation’s needs.
Looking for more resources?
Browse our other resource areas or get in touch.