As I mentioned last week, many people with autism and other disabilities need adjustments at work to truly thrive. I often think of it this way: for some, accommodations are essential to simply do their jobs, while others can manage, but at a significant cost. And of course, it varies depending on the task—sometimes we’re fine, other times, not so much.
Ongoing Support is Essential
For some, the need for support is obvious. Someone who uses a wheelchair, for example, simply can’t perform their job if the office isn’t accessible or if remote work isn’t an option. I think of a colleague who struggles with reading and writing; he needs information presented simply—read aloud, using clear, everyday language and short sentences—just to understand what’s being asked. For people in this situation, accommodations aren’t just helpful; they’re absolutely necessary for any task that requires skills they find challenging.
The Cost of Pushing Through
Then there are those of us who can tolerate certain situations, but it takes a toll. For example, some people with sensitivities can handle perfume occasionally, but it leaves them feeling unwell afterwards. They might push through it if it’s infrequent, but constant exposure leads to ongoing discomfort and symptoms. Just because you can manage something once doesn’t mean you can handle it consistently!
Autism and Clear Instructions
Many people on the autism spectrum fall into either of these groups. Our autism can be invisible, but yet we need very clear instructions to understand expectations. We often struggle to interpret implied meanings, so we rely on having everything spelled out, in a way we can understand, and sometimes with visual aids. That clarity is important for every task.
Highly Sensitive to Stimuli
Others of us are highly sensitive to sensory input—things like noise, lights, or textures. We can cope with unpleasant stimuli, but it drains us and makes us feel unwell if it’s constant. To make work sustainable long-term, it’s crucial to adapt the environment to minimize exposure. And most importantly, we need to be the ones to decide how much discomfort we can realistically handle.
The Difficulty of Asking for Help
I’ve personally found it incredibly difficult to be in that second group. It’s hard to explain to people that just because I managed something last week doesn’t mean I can handle it this week. Today, I’m fortunate to work at a company, where they’re understanding, but that hasn’t always been the case. I’ve spent so much of my life being asked, “Are you okay? Can you cope with this? You did it last time!” And often, I’d just smile and say, “Yes, no problem,” because I didn’t want to seem demanding.
What Level of Suffering is Acceptable?
I’ve spent a lot of time questioning whether I’m being too demanding. People without disabilities sometimes have to endure unpleasant situations too, so where do you draw the line? How much should your quality of life suffer before you’re justified in asking for accommodations? Everyone has to compromise, even neurotypical people. But where is that line? Someone might not enjoy going to work on a rainy Monday after a sleepless night, but they still go.
Feeling Guilty
Deep down, I know it’s not good that I even have to consider these things. Ideally, we wouldn’t have to justify asking for a seat on the bus because our legs hurt. Yet, I’ve often felt guilty for saying I’m not feeling well. I’ve often wished I had a visible disability instead of autism. It’s hard to explain that certain social events leave me feeling so drained that they seriously impact my quality of life. Living with an invisible disability isn’t easy!
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If You Need Emotional Support
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