I have a relatively non-debilitating form of Asperger's. I deal with it enough that I have been able to work in a customer service job for the past 2 years. When I was hired, I remember saying that I had no disabilities. This was basically because I view my AS as just a part of who I am and not a disability. I've been thinking though. Was saying that I have no disabilities ethical or even legal? I have had no AS-related problems (that I know of) with my job and am doing quite well in it, but I do wonder if what I did was right.
I've known I have AS since elementary school and don't consider it a disability.
I've never seen why anybody would not want to disclose, but then, I don't want 9-5 companies hiring me.
I've never been shy about sharing the information myself.
Apparently many people don't like to though.
I suppose it makes sense considering that some of these companies do practice unfounded discrimination (that is AS ---> disability ---> money loss ---> fired regardless of evidence). I've have similar issues with assumptions in the school system, so yeah.
you are the most aware of what the complexities of asperger mean (or don't mean), so you've made an educated and careful decision it seems,
one that is fair for yourself and your employers...
nice work ! !! ;)
I say that if you have chosen a job where none of your AS traits are a hinderance, you have/had nothing to disclose.
Many, many adults with AS don't even know they have it. They find their nitch anyway, just as you have done.
I don't think AS is always a disability, it is just a disability in certain situations. I think, ethically, you are just fine having said nothing.
I've done a lot of hiring in my time, and I consider myself NT (I come here to learn about my child). Unless you are looking for an accomodation, I don't think you have anything to disclose.
I have not disclosed that I have AS either. I work in a fully integrated project with children and although We/I do not tolerate discrimination within the project, sometimes its hard as I attend meetings with Schools and Social Work etc they often laugh and joke about the things the kids do. My reason for not saying is having listened to these so called professionals I know I can't change there attitude (although I often challenge it) but I can influence the children going through our project who are the profesionals of the future. [/img]
The reason to disclose should be to have the right to ask for and receive reasonable accomodations to continue functioning at a job. Some acquired types of disability will happen after a person has been hired for a particular job and will affect their abilities to continue at that job. -such as a car accident. The employer can adjust the workplace or duties to accomodate someone or just give them another type of job (maybe not at the same rate). The laws about accomodating disability are more for protecting people that acquire them while being employed rather than making the job market fair for people already with disabilities to get employment.
I would hesitate to disclose AS to an employer unless it would benefit me. Legally could someone be fired for not disclosing a disability (unless it was a safety problem) before being hired? I could agree that uncorrected vision impairment, epilepsy and other physical impairments could cause risk factors when operating equipment. People with mental illness also have a great amount of prejudice against them in employment. But they should not be fired for not disclosing it.
I'd agree with the folks who say not to disclose unless you are in fact experiencing disablement and need some accomodation.
I think whether an asd is considered a disability or not, you should not be requiered to disclose any disability, this could lead to discrimination, or diferent treatment. If any question should be asked, I think it should be weather you have a disability that would prevent you from attending work on a consistent schedule, or if you have dificulites that would prevent you from fealing safe in all work situations.
Disclosure has, from my reading, two legal justifications:
1: If the employee is requesting acommodation under the ADA.
2: If the employee would be unable to perform duties due to the disability.
Since you have been able to perform your duties and are not requesting acommodation, you might not be required to dislose. I am not a lawyer. This is not legal advice.
Not only are you not legally required to inform your employer of a disability that doesn't hinder your work, it is illegal for your employer to ask the question until you are employed.
I don't like to tell people I have AS because I'm afraid they'd discriminate me or treat me different than other people or get the wrong ideas about me. When my ex boyfriend learned I had it because he read my blog, he asummed things I did was Aspergers and he even refused to read about it or look it up to learn more. It made me mad. I thought he was just ignorent, one of those people who think they don't have to look something up because they are too smart or they already know about just from watching you. He has never even heard of the condition until he read my blog.