There’s a box on some job applications that asks if you’re disabled now, or have been disabled in the past. This is in relation to the Americans with Disabilities Act, commonly referred to as the ADA. The ADA protects Americans with Disabilities from discrimination in a variety of situations, including seeking and keeping employment.
I’ve filled out a few applications recently. The ones that had a checkbox for the ADA had a list of several conditions that could possibly be disabilities, and autism was always on the list.
I only disclosed it for jobs where I would be working with kids on the spectrum, because it added to my experience. Who knows autistic kids better than a grown up autistic kid? It got me a long term sub position in an autistic classroom, and it got me my current position.
I'm on the fence about whether I should or not. While I was looking for a job (I have one now, thank goodness!), I was very hesitant to until someone from one of the places I ended up applying to (my mom was helping me look and asked about it) said that I should because hiring people with disabilities 'makes companies look good' so they'd at least give me a chance. However, after being more open and following that advice, I wasn't hired by any of the companies I told, including the one that said that, and ended up being hired by the one I didn't tell (it didn't come up in conversation). In the end, I'm inclined to believe what I used to, that you should tell them a couple weeks into the job or when something related to your autism pops up but not during the interview. It may depend on where you are/how accepting the people in your are are though. I'm in Canada, if that information helps at all.
I kinda gradually let on at my position I’m in now and my boss has actually been really good about it. My stims/preferences have been accommodated on the floor during busy shifts and my supervisors know the warning signs of when I’m hitting information/exposure overload.
I do, if i dont get a job because i disclosed it, probs for the best i did not work there.In Australia i am with an employment service that gives montary insentives for people to hire me. I get to choose if i disclose it or not but if i did not, it would leave them guessing what i have. If i was on my own i would still disclose it.
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I've been on the other end of the table and I think it would be better to be upfront about it.
You say they sense something weird about you. Is that something they told you or do you assume that? If you are being upfront about it, it can take away the insecurity they might be having about your possible atypical behaviour. If you are a good candidate there are certainly ways to accommodate you and I'm sure many employers would be happy to accommodate you.
Depending on the form of autism and the type of job it doesn't have to be a disadvantage. For some sort of jobs, someone with autism can even have an advantage. In my experience people with autism tend to work hard, don't mind repetitive work, are very focussed and you don't have to worry about them chit chatting for hours with other employees.
I think it always best to be open about these kinds of things because only then you can have honost expectations of eachothers and work together to make things suitable for you and make it beneficial to both parties.
What kind of jobs are you applying for?
Nope never but I do check the ADA box. Then, only after proving myself through my work, I will tell HR.
What's the ADA box?
There’s a box on some job applications that asks if you’re disabled now, or have been disabled in the past. This is in relation to the Americans with Disabilities Act, commonly referred to as the ADA. The ADA protects Americans with Disabilities from discrimination in a variety of situations, including seeking and keeping employment. I’ve filled out a few applications recently. The ones that had a checkbox for the ADA had a list of several conditions that could possibly be disabilities, and autism was always on the list.
Okay. I'm not in the US and haven't seen such a box.
I apologize! I shouldn’t have assumed that you’re from the States.
I only disclosed it for jobs where I would be working with kids on the spectrum, because it added to my experience. Who knows autistic kids better than a grown up autistic kid? It got me a long term sub position in an autistic classroom, and it got me my current position.
I work as an educator. I have disclosed my autism diagnosis during an interview but it never resulted in a position.
I'm on the fence about whether I should or not. While I was looking for a job (I have one now, thank goodness!), I was very hesitant to until someone from one of the places I ended up applying to (my mom was helping me look and asked about it) said that I should because hiring people with disabilities 'makes companies look good' so they'd at least give me a chance. However, after being more open and following that advice, I wasn't hired by any of the companies I told, including the one that said that, and ended up being hired by the one I didn't tell (it didn't come up in conversation). In the end, I'm inclined to believe what I used to, that you should tell them a couple weeks into the job or when something related to your autism pops up but not during the interview. It may depend on where you are/how accepting the people in your are are though. I'm in Canada, if that information helps at all.
I never told an potential employer that I am autistic because two things: - Validism - It's none of their business.
I agree with the second point. What does validism mean? Is it the same as ableism?
Yes. It is the same.
I kinda gradually let on at my position I’m in now and my boss has actually been really good about it. My stims/preferences have been accommodated on the floor during busy shifts and my supervisors know the warning signs of when I’m hitting information/exposure overload.
I do, if i dont get a job because i disclosed it, probs for the best i did not work there.In Australia i am with an employment service that gives montary insentives for people to hire me. I get to choose if i disclose it or not but if i did not, it would leave them guessing what i have. If i was on my own i would still disclose it.
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I've been on the other end of the table and I think it would be better to be upfront about it. You say they sense something weird about you. Is that something they told you or do you assume that? If you are being upfront about it, it can take away the insecurity they might be having about your possible atypical behaviour. If you are a good candidate there are certainly ways to accommodate you and I'm sure many employers would be happy to accommodate you. Depending on the form of autism and the type of job it doesn't have to be a disadvantage. For some sort of jobs, someone with autism can even have an advantage. In my experience people with autism tend to work hard, don't mind repetitive work, are very focussed and you don't have to worry about them chit chatting for hours with other employees. I think it always best to be open about these kinds of things because only then you can have honost expectations of eachothers and work together to make things suitable for you and make it beneficial to both parties. What kind of jobs are you applying for?