Job Accommodation Network (JAN)

The Job Accommodation Network (JAN) is a website on workplace accommodations by the U.S. Department of Labor’s Office of Disability Employment Policy.

If you're in a situation where you have to work a full- or part-time job while autistic, you may find various aspects of it to be distressing; many of us do!

The usual advice is to implement accommodations, either yourself or with your boss (and possibly coworkers). They're not a cure for capitalism, but they can help some people get through the day while incurring less pain and suffering. Thus, it's worth exploring accommodations under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), if you're in the U.S.

The JAN website is a good starting point to look for possible accommodations, with copious information for both employees and employers.

Their database of accommodation ideas and Situations and Solutions Finder are especially helpful to see how other fellow disabled people have managed to save some spoons and sanity in the workplace.

Their page on autism has more specific recommendations, including a flexible schedule, remote work, headphones, alternative supervisory methods, etc. I thought their suggestion of altering the marginal functions (or less important aspects) of your job was particularly interesting. Beware of any mentions of "behavior modification" though, as that could be a slippery slope towards ABA.

Accommodations can be formal or informal, meaning you can bring your autism up through official channels with a note from a mental health professional and/or just accommodate yourself as much as you can without necessarily always disclosing.

For example, you can say "I work better with headphones because background noise is difficult for me" rather than "I'm autistic and wish you would all shut up" (which is what I'm thinking a lot!) if that feels more comfortable or is safer for you.

Personally, I've been using work accommodations even before I knew I was autistic (because I have to or I'll lose my mind :).

I have a mirror on my desk to see behind me so that people don't shock me out of hyperfocus. Some of my coworkers knock on the wall or message me before approaching so I don't leap five feet in the air when they suddenly materialize and start talking to me.

I use email and Zoom messages instead of speaking or using the phone when I can, and my boss tends to give me written instructions instead of just verbal. I haven't needed to officially declare my autism to HR for this, but if your boss is less cool than mine (which is likely; she's pretty cool), it might be something to consider.

The JAN website hasn't given me a ton of new ideas, as I'm already cashing in hard on accommodations, but it's good to know that some of the things I thought I made up are actual official suggestions, lol. Hopefully it gives you some ideas and/or solace as well. <3