Employment and Careers

"The job interview asks you to perform neurotypical for 45 minutes. Then they're surprised when you can't maintain that performance for 45 hours a week." — Autistic job seeker

Workplace Challenges

Interviews: Social performance pressure, unclear expectations.

Environment: Open offices, fluorescent lighting, noise, constant small talk.

Politics: Navigating unwritten rules you can't see.

Workplace Strengths

Many autistic employees bring: deep expertise, attention to detail, honest communication, pattern recognition, systematic thinking, focus and dedication.

Disclosure

Pros: Access to accommodations, explanation for needs, authenticity.

Cons: Potential discrimination, stigma, can't take it back.

Timing: After job offer is often a good balance.

Common Accommodations

Quiet workspace, noise-canceling headphones, written instructions, flexible scheduling, remote work, clear expectations, reduced meetings.

Workplace Bullying

"By the time I figure out I am being bullied, it is too late. Pattern: Do well at job → get targeted by threatened colleagues → can't read the workplace sabotage in real time." — Autistic employee

Common patterns: narcissistic types fixating on you, smear campaigns based on "vibes" not behavior, being excluded from informal communications.

What helps: Documentation of everything, building alliances with trustworthy colleagues, sometimes leaving.

The 9-to-5 Problem

Traditional schedules devastate many autistic people—constant sensory exposure, daily masking, no recovery time.

"All the 'fun events' have noise, crowds, unfamiliar foods... It was such a relief to realize I wasn't uptight—I was overwhelmed." — Autistic employee

What helps: Remote work, flexible hours, reduced schedules.

Self-Employment

Control over environment, set own schedule, choose clients, play to strengths. Challenges: less structure, need for self-marketing.

Work WITH your brain, not against it. Your productivity patterns might be unconventional—but if they work, use them.