Welcome back to our blog. Today is going to be a rather emotional blog about something that affects many people, including myself. So, let me explain a few things. I was diagnosed as a teenager with Asperger Syndrome, including OCD (Obsessive-compulsive disorder) and ADD/ ADHD (Attention deficit disorder / Attention deficit hyperactive disorder). It made things a bit difficult for me as a kid and of course, later on as I got into the workplace. I am hoping that this blog will shine a light on something that is hidden in plain sight.
What is Autism?
Autism is a developmental disorder that affects information processing. People with autism have difficulties with social and communication skills. They have restricted interests and engage in repetitive behaviors. They also tend to experience sensitivity or discomfort from sensory stimulation such as certain lights or sounds.
Because autism’s symptoms vary greatly, the condition is said to exist on a spectrum, referred to as Autism Spectrum Disorder. Asperger’s syndrome refers to “high functioning” autism, but it’s no longer a formal diagnostic term.
Autism usually manifests by age two. The condition is diagnosed four times more frequently in males than in females, according to the CDC, although women are often overlooked and misdiagnosed. The frequency of diagnosis has surged over the past 20 years; it is not clear whether the incidence is truly increasing, whether experts are more aware of it, or whether the diagnosis has shifted to include lesser degrees of impairment.
There is no cure for autism, nor is one universally sought: Many people argue that autism should not be framed as a medical condition in need of amelioration. For those on the lower-functioning end of the spectrum, targeted practices and therapies can help alleviate symptoms.
Symptoms of Autism
While the severity of symptoms varies greatly, there are invariably impairments to social and communication skills. Some children with autism do not talk at all and remain mute throughout life, while others have mild social challenges. Children with autism also show restricted interests and repetitive behaviors.
Parents may notice that their infant avoids eye contact or doesn’t respond, and it may be difficult for them to form emotional bonds and parental attachment. Children with autism may have unusual responses to sensory stimulation and may be highly sensitive to certain sounds, textures, tastes, or smells. They may have deficits in motor coordination and poor muscle tone.
Autistic children exhibit many kinds of repetitive behaviors early in life, such as hand flapping, body rocking, and making sounds. They may arrange or stack objects over and over again. Some children inflict injury on themselves by repeated actions such as hand biting and head banging. They also have an early preference for unvarying routines of everyday life.
Causes of Autism
No one fully understands what causes autism. The number of children diagnosed with the disorder has increased significantly since the turn of the millennium, but experts are not sure whether that reflects an improvement in diagnostic awareness or a true increase in prevalence.
Research shows that genetics is a factor because people who have a sibling with autism are more likely to have autism themselves. Autism is also more likely in individuals who have an older parent. Very low birth weight is also a risk factor, according to the National Institute of Mental Health, and ASD occurs more frequently in people with some genetic conditions, such as Fragile X syndrome or tuberous sclerosis.
Treatments for Autism
There are many effective approaches for managing or treating autism. Early intervention with highly structured behavioral, cognitive, and communication therapies can sometimes dramatically help children with autism learn skills. School-based educational programs designed for children with autism can be effective in improving intellectual functioning.
Programs that make use of applied behavior analysis (ABA) have become widely accepted as the standard of treatment. In most programs, parents are encouraged to be highly involved in their children’s care.
While no medication can correct the impairments common to autism, psychoactive drugs including antidepressants, antipsychotics, and anticonvulsants are sometimes prescribed to help control specific symptoms. Anticonvulsant medication may reduce the number of seizures a person has but not eliminate them.
Autism and Related Conditions
Autism is often accompanied by a range of medical or psychiatric conditions, such as anxiety, ADHD, epilepsy, sleep problems, and gastrointestinal problems. The scientific understanding of this overlap is often elusive.
Addressing co-occurring problems won’t eliminate the core features of autism. Yet treating specific symptoms that people are struggling with can tremendously improve daily life for those on the spectrum.
Autism and ADHD
Studies estimate that 30 to 80 percent of children with autism meet the criteria for ADHD, and 20 to 50 percent of children with ADHD meet the criteria for autism. Clinicians can now provide a dual diagnosis for children with both conditions, per the DSM-5.
Autism and ADHD can look very similar, as both involve struggles with communication, social cues, attention, and impulsivity. Scientists are currently investigating the biological and genetic roots that the conditions may share.
People with both conditions may be more impaired than people with either condition alone. Individuals with autism or parents of children with autism may want to seek a diagnosis if they believe they have ADHD, as that could influence treatment options, such as the decision to prescribe stimulant drugs.
Autism and Anxiety
Nearly 40 percent of children with autism also have an anxiety disorder—which might include social anxiety disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder, or a specific phobia. The overlap of autism and anxiety may be due to the features of autism, such as sensory overload, communication barriers, social challenges, cognitive rigidity, and task frustration. Distinguishing whether symptoms of autism contribute to anxiety or result from anxiety can be challenging.
Parents of children struggling with anxiety can aim to identify what specifically triggers anxiety in their child, and then plan for or modify those triggers. They may explore treatment options such as medication or cognitive-behavioral therapy.
Autism and Depression
People with autism are four times more likely to suffer from depression than neurotypical individuals. This trend may be due to genetics as well as the loneliness, bullying, or rumination that some with autism face.
Depression is difficult to spot because people with autism can struggle to express their feelings. There are similar barriers to treatment, such as the ability to explore emotions in therapy and tolerate the side effects of medications. Still, cognitive-behavioral therapy and antidepressants help some, while social support and employment programs are valuable for all.
There are other conditions that are included but I will not list them all. You can find the full list here at: https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/basics/autism/autism-and-related-conditions
Keep in mind that no case of Autism is the same and will have different conditions, symptoms, and more.
Now I am going to move on to the main focus: Autism in the Workplace.
Autism in the Workplace
Individuals with autism can face substantial challenges navigating the workforce. Recent research suggests that 20 percent of adults with autism are unemployed, while other estimates are much higher. This gulf may begin at a young age: Only 58 percent of people with autism aged 18 to 25 worked for pay, while 74 percent of people with intellectual disabilities and 95 percent of people with other learning disabilities worked for pay at the same age.
However, companies are increasingly recognizing the value of cultivating a diverse workforce and embracing those with autism for the unique perspective they contribute. Programs have sprouted up at large companies, such as SAP and Microsoft, which actively hire and support people with autism. The government also provides financial incentives for companies to employ people with disabilities such as autism. These approaches open up the possibility for those on the spectrum to transform their natural interests and abilities into marketable skills.
What are the challenges?
Many adults with autism confront unemployment and underemployment throughout their lives. They may struggle during the interview process, which often relies on eye contact, a bold personality, and creating a bond with the hiring manager. Once in a new role, people with autism may be unable to navigate the social dynamics of a workplace—with regard to assignments, clients, or office politics—and eventually, lose their job.
What are good job options for autistic people?
The passions and fixations that are a hallmark of autism can translate into valuable skills in the workforce. People who are drawn to patterns or puzzles may excel at software testing, quality control, or other roles in the technology sector. Other positions in autism-friendly companies include working on stockroom operations, production lines, data entry, and accounting. Autistic people should explore how their natural interests and talents overlap with the needs of particular positions in the job market.
What are the benefits of hiring employees with autism?
People with autism face a high unemployment rate, but employers and society both gain from hiring workers on the spectrum. Higher functioning individuals can excel in jobs that fit their abilities and interests, from folding laundry to coding software. As autism becomes increasingly prevalent, it’s key for companies to take an abilities-centered approach by identifying what autistic employees are uniquely suited to do and recognizing that they can be reliable and hard-working.
Companies may also be eligible for tax credits and deductions when hiring employees with disabilities. These financial incentives aim to encourage companies to hire differently-abled employees and offset any costs that accompany their condition. Some adults with autism believe that this is the best approach for individuals on the spectrum to obtain and sustain employment.
Should I tell my employer that I have autism?
The decision to disclose an autism diagnosis is a personal choice. It’s up to you to choose when and how you want to have that conversation—with your employer or anyone else in your life.
It’s valuable to discuss the decision with a mentor or loved one ahead of time. Reflect on what you hope to gain, who you want to tell, and how they might react. If your goal is to receive accommodations at work, consider having a discussion with a human resources representative and being specific about what you need. You may also be protected by the Americans with Disabilities Act, under which employers must provide reasonable accommodations for workers with disabilities.
How can companies support employees with autism?
Clarity is key for building an autism-friendly workplace: Managers can give clear directives and deadlines to employees, and then help clear any obstacles that prevent those directives from being accomplished. Managers can be open, honest, and appreciative of creativity and different ways of thinking. They can also provide a quiet place to work if the office is loud and ensure that lights are not flickering to address the sensory symptoms of autism.
The traditional interview process focuses on conversation and connection. Replacing that with an aptitude test or skills-based task can help companies hire more capable employees with autism.
In Conclusion
Autism is not really that scary now that you have learned more about it. Those who have autism just function differently, but we are still human. The best thing you can do is to support those who have autism, whether it be as a family member or as a fellow co-worker. When I am working, I often find that if I am at a breaking point, taking a small walk outside helps clear the mind. It could also help to bring along fidget items like a spinner or cube to help with our sensory issues. I want to thank everyone for their support in this.
You can find out more autism by going to:
https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/basics/autism
“We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.”
Founding Fathers, The Declaration of Independence
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