Do I need to Pursue a formal diagnosis for job protection?

Post Reply New Topic

I’m self diagnosed autistic and I work for a government department. So they are bound by non discrimination & other laws.

This year my management seems to be under a lot of pressure and have told our unit (and only our unit) formal write ups are now on the table and these will follow a progressive discipline process of verbal warning, email with a cc to upper management, and then write up.

Yesterday, I received an email with no prior verbal warning for missing a detail on a website review.

We have also been told to choose professional development goals and work on these in our 1:1s.

So, like a fool I said one of the goals I wanted to work on was communication because I know that’s a weakness.

When I said this, my boss, not knowing I am self-diagnosed autistic told me I am too much of a straight shooter, hit on black and white thinking, and that I miss body language and social cues when my directness/black and white thinking cause team mates to interpret me negatively. Included my write up of his summary in the same email with calling me out for missing the detail im the website review which included his supervisor. Before this, he has only given me glowing feedback.

I am thinking of pursuing a formal diagnosis so if any of this comes to bite me in the butt I have some sort of protection.

Also, my management is notorious for giving unclear verbal direction — contradicting themselves in the same five minute explanation and refusing to provide directions in writing. With a formal diagnosis, I think I could get a reasonable accommodation to have clear written directions.

While I’m going to begin applying to new jobs, do you all think a formal diagnosis might be a good idea? Where do I even begin? My personal physician?

Hi! I am sorry to hear about your experience with your supervisor. I personally think a formal diagnosis can be helpful in getting a reasonable accomodation. I was diagnosed formally by my Psychiatrist. I was unsure if that would be good enough and if it needed to go through a Psychologist but she mentioned to me it was good enough. I am not sure if a personal physician can diagnose but I would start with your Physician first to see what he/she says.

Here is a link I found to a clinic with an article on who can diagnose autism. https://www.advancedtherapyclinic.com/blog/who-is-qualified-to-diagnose-autism-in-adults

Here is an additional link from "Autism Speaks" https://www.autismspeaks.org/adult-autism-diagnosis

Hope this maybe helps and wish you luck in finding a new job!

Thank you Brian! I appreciate the resources.

Local government? Get a diagnosis.
Federal government? Get another job.

This reflects the political situation in this country and what it's doing to people.

And don't forget that in responding to your review, stress how the the things that they perceive as weaknesses are also strengths. People skills deficiencies vs. narrow focus, black and white vs. decision making ability, and so on.