There are a lot of misconceptions around autism and how someone with an autistic brain interacts with the world.
Research has found that brains of autistic children generate 42% more information than non-autistic children when in a resting state (Velázquez & Galán, 2013). Imagine having 40% more of everything when you’re relaxing, then add that percentage in a loud office, with bright lights, clicking keyboards, doors opening and closing, the air conditioner blowing on you; all while trying to remember who you were emailing and when that deadline was for.
Part of having this disability means having difficulty with executive function skills. For the office, this effects things like maintaining conversations, handling change, focusing, analysing, prioritising, concentration, working memory, problem solving etc. This creates a huge impact on our ability to obtain and retain employment. Amaze’s Australia-first research revealed that more than half of unemployed Autistic Australians (54%) had never held a paid job, despite often possessing the skills, qualifications and a strong desire to join the workforce and 20% of autistic people reported having lost a job due to their autism.
Autism is a dynamic disability which means that some days some of the symptoms are less intense, and some days they are more intense. When we are well regulated, we can have higher executive function levels, many neuro-divergent people have differences in executive function skills, and may demonstrate these skills in difference ways. Even when regulated we will need accommodations, support and kindness for the skills we are lacking.
When we are dysregulated, we temporarily lose access to the executive function skills we do have.
Things that can cause dysregulation can include:
- Masking (over socialising, social expectations, miscommunication)
- Sensory - loud sounds, bright lights, sudden temperature changes, smells, textures, tastes
- Emotional changes
- Illness
- Unexpected changes
- Mental fatigue
- Unmet needs
Regulation strategies and accommodations can look like stimming, movement breaks, pacing, headphones, weighted lap blankets, frequent short breaks, sunglasses, quiet workspace, food.