The First Public Profile Went Open About Autism in 2016, But What’s Actually Changed?
Just recently I watched a program on TV that’s caused me to question something about society. The program in particular was called 24 Hours in A&E. The question it led to me asking myself was since Autism became more public just how much has a society actually embraced the disability?
In the episode there was a young man on who have been diagnosed as autistic. The man in question had been subject to a physical assault, and during the episode, when talking directly to the camera, he spoke about how society’s attitudes towards autism, and those who live with the disability are treated in regards.
As someone who has grown up with the same problem I have also began to ask myself just how much to say tea has actually changed in regards to acceptance, learning, support, guidance and understanding. Owing to my own experiences, and based on those of others, I would happily say (but in a not so happy way) that Society hasn’t made much progress
For example, let’s look at the workplace. Whenever autism is even mentioned workplace employers develop a preconceived notion, especially where the employee is concerned. In the great many cases this preconceived notion can and will lead to unfair treatment, by both colleagues and superiors.
This is something that I am all too familiar with having been at the receiving end of ill-treatment based on negative preconceived notions. In one of my previous employments a newly transferred HR realized my disability and rather than have conversation on how best to support me me they chose not to. And sadly as many will probably have end of guessing it lead to bullying, mainly by HR. The ill-treatment had a negative effects on my mental States and in the end and I ended up leaving.
In some cases when it comes to employees and the workplace there is always this typical stereotypical way thing of thinking. This can lead to such thoughts like, is a job which involves them being social and being face-to-face of people suitable for them? Is a job in which there can be occasional distractions appropriate for them? Are they able to mix well with others who don’t have any disabilities?
Unfortunately, and I suppose that this is the way that’s some employees end up thinking, is that being in a job role which involves people facing and routines that can frequently change, this can lead to them limiting the sorts of job that the employee is allowed to do.
Here is just a quick example of the sorts of jobs that people with autism can actually do, and no doubt without any problem.
Administrative and support services.
Education and training.
Health care and social assistance.
Completely true now, but would you believe me if I was to say that there are people with autism that have worked and flourished in the following work areas;
Performance
Art
Music
Acting
Computer Programming
Design
Culinary
Agriculture
And what do they have in common? They are all areas which are creative. So so if people with autism and work in a creative environment then why why can’t they work in academic environments or health and social care?
What’s the excuse? Can you find a single reason why they can’t?
Cerebral palsy charity campaigner, scope, once conducted a survey hey which revealed that two-thirds of people feel awkward and/or uncomfortable around and people disabilities.
Even though the the campaign advert was more to do with cerebral palsy the results of the research can actual facts apply to anyone with a disability, be it’s a learning disability or a physical disability
Someone such myself has unfortunately experienced such social behaviour, some of it directed at me, some of it indirect, but even more so and people I knew both from work, School and social circles I can more than understand how it can affect the person with the disability.
Since 2018 I have been working in health and social care as a support worker. And as of last year I also joined to a much respected British institution. Now when I first joined I made no secrets of the facts but I had a learning disability, that I was autistic. However, there was a couple of problems which arose from this, most of which were problems that weren’t within my control, this in turn led to my job being changed. The process was something which was beyond my control yet also do with something which was out of my control yet had very good knowledge of.
Based on my own experiences and observations I concluded that the real issue wasn’t so much on my part but rather that’s of my superiors.
This is a example that’s understanding, education and patience needs to happen. Because at the end of the day it is also a part of diversity and equality.
Now when it comes to disability in the workplace the employer has one of two options; they can either understand and the disability and make adjustments to the workplace environment to allow the person to adapt and flourish or or they can simply send the the employee to a completely different environment. One of the downsides of the latter option is that that nothing has changed in regards to adaptation and learning about disability and the employee in question will have been robbed of a equal opportunity to flourish in the workplace.
It is attitudes like this which lead to be employers missing out as there are a lot of things that people with a learning disability such as Autism and Asperger’s can they give to the workplace environment and with the right help and support they can flourish
Now going back to the advert I remember seeing from a scope disability campaign I recall seeing a slogan, this was something that’s a campaigner for the charity had stated. I openly admit that I cannot remember exactly what’s the written words were I do remember the general gist;
‘there is a lot of Joy and passion that people with a learning disability can provide. The workplace is missing out as far as I can see’
I myself am Autistic and I know I’ve got a lot to offer, so please don’t deny me that right.
