I have what you call a spiky profile, which means instead of being competent at everything I am highly skilled in some areas of work and challenged in other areas.
Autism and ADHD (AuDHD) are “dynamic” disabilities for me, so some days I am on very good form (hyper-productive, in a “flow state”) and other days (when overwhelmed or triggered) I struggle with sensory meltdowns, or might get “brain fog”, or I may temporarily struggle with talking when very stressed (I mute my microphone and just type my comments into the Chat).
Sometimes people make me feel self-conscious about my non-verbal communication such as eye contact, or I feel awkward about greetings (I don’t know how to respond to “you alright”.
Sometimes I can tell a significant change (like payroll outsourcing) proposed by senior management is a bad idea, and will go badly wrong, with horrible consequences, because of my pattern-spotting abilities. Yet nobody listens, they think I am being “negative” and a harbinger of doom (I relate to Bruno from Encanto) or just afraid of change (that autism stereotype, which does not fit neatly if we have ADHD too).
I struggle with respect for authority, because I do not think people necessarily know better just because they have been promoted up the chain of command, so I can be outspoken and bolshy at times, and then get anxious about getting into trouble or damaging working relationships.
I can blurt out inappropriate things at work too, that is my ADHD impulsivity, engaging my mouth before my brain.
I can be tactless, even though I care deeply about the feelings of others.
I need some understanding and compassion, so please adjust any neuronormative expectations.
Ausome Charlie 