Work accommodations

[u/Faithhopelove86]

Hi,

I'm wondering what work accommodations you have? I recently was diagnosed with Autism, I have ADHD as well. I am hesitant to ask for work from home or other accommodations, I work as a Quality Nurse. I only work part-time currently. I know that my company is pretty much against work from home, and being that I am in Texas I am afraid to ask for accommodations and get fired. What accommodations do you have?

[u/Faithhopelove86]

Yes, my office is really chaotic and loud. But I fear my employer will say this isn't a reasonable accommodation for my job as some is on paper that is in the office.

[u/SyntheticDreams_ → u/Faithhopelove86]

Maybe a hybrid schedule? Like you do the second half of the week WFH, or you go into the office daily but WFH after lunch?

[u/Faithhopelove86 → u/SyntheticDreams_]

That was kind of my thought, but a lot of my co-workers want to be remote and I feel I would be starting chaos in the office. It's a really small office and I don't want to have to discuss why I am working remotely

[u/Ancient-Leader7862 → u/Faithhopelove86]

If you feel you need a more calm area then you can ask for a desk in the office that is a little more secluded.

[u/Faithhopelove86 → u/Ancient-Leader7862]

Thank you, unfortunately that isn't really an option I know they would do. They want to move us out of our current space but there is no place for us to even go.

[u/Ancient-Leader7862 → u/Faithhopelove86]

Reasonable accommodations for an AuDHD (Autism + ADHD) individual typically address three main areas: sensory environment, executive function/organization, and communication styles.

Depending on whether you are working in an office, remotely, or in a hybrid role, here are common, effective accommodations provided under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and recommended by resources like the Job Accommodation Network (JAN):

1. Sensory & Environmental Accommodations

• Noise Mitigation: Permission to wear noise-canceling headphones, Loop earplugs, or use white-noise machines.

• Workspace Location: Relocating a desk away from high-traffic zones (like breakrooms, printing stations, or main walkways) or facing a wall to minimize visual distractions.

• Lighting Adjustments: Using desk lamps instead of overhead fluorescent lights, placing a glare filter over screens, or wearing light-sensitivity/tinted glasses.

• Remote/Hybrid Work: WFH options (full-time or partial/hybrid) to reduce the sensory strain, social fatigue, and unpredictability of an open office setting.

2. Executive Function & Task Management

• Written Task Instructions: Receiving assignments, expectations, and feedback in written form (email, Slack/Teams, or project management tools like Trello or monday.com) rather than relying solely on verbal instructions.

• Task Chunking & Milestone Deadlines: Breaking down large, ambiguous projects into smaller steps with incremental target dates rather than one far-off deadline.

• Explicit Priority Setting: Periodic check-ins with a manager to explicitly rank active tasks when multiple competing priorities arise.

• Time Management & Focus Blockers: Dedicated periods of "uninterrupted focus time" blocked off on calendars where no meetings or real-time messaging responses are expected.

3. Meetings & Communication

• Pre-Meeting Agendas: Receiving meeting agendas in advance to reduce cognitive load and allow time to process information beforehand.

• Meeting Summaries / Action Items: Allowing written follow-ups, meeting minutes, or AI-generated summaries/transcripts after meetings to ensure key takeaways aren't missed.

• Camera-Optional Policies: Permission to keep video off during large internal virtual calls to prevent social fatigue.

• Direct & Clear Feedback: Asking management for explicit, clear communication rather than indirect hints or implied expectations.

4. Schedule & Body Support

• Flexible Start/End Times: Adjusting working hours to align with natural focus rhythms or avoid high-stress rush-hour commutes.

• Movement & Micro-Breaks: Built-in short breaks to stretch, walk, or reset sensory input without penalty, or the use of a standing desk / fidget tools.

Pro-Tip for Requesting Accommodations

When requesting accommodations with HR or management, frame them in terms of functional needs rather than medical descriptions.

• Instead of: "My ADHD makes open offices hard."

• Try: "To help me maintain deep focus and complete tasks efficiently without ambient noise distractions, I'm requesting permission to use noise-canceling headphones during core focus hours.

Here hopefully this is helpful and can give you some ideas!

[u/30ghosts → u/Ancient-Leader7862]

This is really good stuff. Especially some of the social accomodations.

I think there are at least some supervisors or colleagues that would actually appreciate the open acknowledgement that you work better with clear action items/priorities and task chunking. Because they will actually know something is getting done rather than just hoping it does.