ASK THE HEADHUNTER Should I disclose autism on my resume?

[deanwebb]

Should I disclose autism on my resume?

In the August 7, 2018 Ask The Headhunter Newsletter we discuss what employers need to know about your autism. Question My son is a college graduate on the autism spectrum. Should he hint at his disability on his resume? Interviewers are surprised when they first meet him, and the interview goes south. Nick’s Reply This is a tough call. A good answer depends on being able to assess your son's condition, which I obviously cannot do. But I can offer an example that might help you think about this in a useful way. A resume “on the spectrum” A young man

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Source: Should I disclose autism on my resume?

[deanwebb]

Great question, and I'm glad the link works this time.

Short version is: "This is a tough question."

On the one hand, it shouldn't matter. If the person has the skills to do the job, then hire the person. On the other hand, an employer would like to know beforehand of any accommodations needed to make an employee successful. On yet another hand, an employer could also say, "Oh, autism?" and check the box that they interviewed a disabled person and then move on.

I've got a physical disability, so I know what can happen with employers: If they can see the problem and think they can handle it, they'll handle it. No barrier to employment. If they think it would be too much for the workplace or it's a mental issue, they flee from those situations. Just as it would be a poor choice to tell an employer that you're a recovering alcoholic, don't tell the employer that you've got an autism-spectrum disorder - or, don't tell them that and leave it at that.

I really like his idea of getting a positive reference about your ability to get the job done. If that person can say, "Yes, we did X and Y, but we got some great work output", you've got a solid reference that should act as an introduction. Now the deal is, "Sure, I have this issue, but here is the way to deal with it to unlock some great potential." Bosses like that, since they can often have metrics on hiring and retaining good staff - being able to retain special needs staff can get them better visibility with other managers, and is a good thing overall.

[icecream-guy]

Discrimination is just that discrimination,  autism or not, fully intellectually challenged, wheel chair bound, Male, Female, Asian, Black, White, 60+ , LGBT or whatever discrimination is tough to prove. Resume should sell your abilities, not provide an out for the hiring company.

I see this all the time in the acting world,  TV show may want a middle aged, fat, Hispanic, male that speaks the Queens English, for a part. that's what they want. but in my eyes radically discriminatory, but widely accepted in the industry.  there is no chance for a short skinny girl in her mid 20's to get that part.

[dlots]

I disclose that I am very dyslexic in the "What is your greatest weakness" section.  I also go into how I deal with it, what it means, disadvantages and advantages(You want an outside the box thinker?  get someone who's brain is wired diffrently). I tell the person who will be a supervisor, not HR.  If my future supervisor doesn't want me because of that i probably don't want to work here.

As for the discrimination I am perfictally fine with discrimination.  If they don't want to hire me because of the dyslexia that's their possition, they are deciding who is the best fit, more power to them.  If I am not the best fit that's fine.  If it means that they get a sub-par employee those are issues they have to deal with.

Espeshally in the acting world.  I think it would be horrable if they cast a skinny girl in her 20s Harry Potter's uncle, and Dennis Rodman as Harry Potter.  Or casting Jyoti Amge (2 foot tall indian woman) as Marv from Sin City.  It would be hallarous, but it would end dramas as we know it.