AUTISM WITHOUT APOLOGIES
I am unapologetic. And advise others to be unapologetic. Know who you are, know your needs, ask others to make eminently reasonable adjustments.
I argue for self-advocacy, too, whilst understanding that not everyone is confident enough to be so strong (I tend not to ask for the things I need, but refuse to give way when pressured). I would encourage training in this area, because too often autistic people are leaned on by others, or by sheer pressure of circumstances, and buckle far short of their potentials. They can also tend to be ignored in a noisy world of shouting heads competing for public attention (and resources).
Never settle for 'accommodation' to circumstances that are just plain wrong for you!
I'll give one example (of far too many for peace of mind).
At a recent job at a local hotel, my instructions were changed verbally at zero notice. In application and interview I had made it clear that I need to know in advance what my tasks are, that if there are changes they need to be written down or, at least, clear, with me repeating them back. Instead, I received quick orders on the hoof. I was switched to a job that wasn't mine because a coach party was expected at short notice. It was all rush, with instructions that presumed knowledge on the part of the recipient. That's a fatal error, as I had spelled out at length prior to taking the job. I was told, among other things, to "strip the beds" in a number of rooms. So I did precisely that. The person giving the instruction wanted only the linen to be stripped. Through that misunderstanding the job became twice as difficult, when we were already pushed for time. One person told me "not to worry about it." I told him straight that I wasn't remotely worried, because it wasn't my error. People need to listen and learn and change their behaviour accordingly. There was no problem. I told the manager later about the need for clarity in instruction, the need for advance warning, and to be aware of literalness. And she conceded immediately that I had told her this. She simply forgot because a) I was doing the job so perfectly well that I appeared perfectly 'normal,' so she forgot about autism, and b) was in a rush.
Perhaps the saddest part of the tale is that I got on fantastically well with her, she was very nice and happy to have me on board. Yet she clearly didn't understand what autism entails. Which is terribly dispiriting. Because there are employers and managers out there who are much less nice and who couldn't give a damn either way.
