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Applying with Autism and ADD

I have Autism and ADD.

Yes, well... Do I mention this during the job interview? Or should I put that in my resume?
A well-known taboo among those who have autism or AD(H)D as these terms are often misunderstood.

Autism, in particular, conjures up stigmatizing images.
It is difficult for me to subsequently refute this false idea and simply describe my characteristics in a twenty-minute conversation with someone I do not know. Personally, I find it difficult to come across as positive (thanks to my inner critic and not being able to bluff in such conversations) when there is so much positive to describe.
What also makes it difficult is that I don't seem autistic at all at first. My autism is practically invisible. I have to describe something that doesn't seem to be there at all, so people often think I'm just a bit insecure.
My ADD is also largely invisible to others.

Because both autism and ADD manifest themselves differently in each person, it is difficult to rely on information found on the internet. They only give a global description of both terms.
Fortunately, I can solve this by formulating my own description.

These are my characteristics of autism and ADD. In the text below I describe how these are reflected at work and what kind of work and workplace I am looking for.

What kind of job am I looking for?

I am looking for a creative position in a company where the strict 'time is money' principle does not apply, but where there is more room for quality of both the product and the working environment.

I have work experience in the DTP sector as a graphic designer, but I experienced too much work pressure at this company. Perhaps this is less present at your company?

I am also open to other creative activities: There are many different functions and niches. I don't want to exclude anything that I don't know about and I am curious about everything that comes my way.

Some of my skills are: sketching, drawing and illustrating, painting, editing photos in Adobe Photoshop, digital illustration in Adobe Illustrator (such as logos, icons or infographics) and formatting text in Adobe Indesign.
I make digital illustrations (such as my self-portrait) with the Krita program on a drawing tablet.
By designing my own website, I got to know Wix well.

For a stable work situation, I prefer to work as an employee or as a self-employed person in paid employment.

What is autism?

According to author and experience expert Bianca Toeps:

"That means that my head deals with stimuli in a different way, so that I sometimes have trouble with social situations, communication and physical overstimulation. My brain filters less, so that stimuli can sometimes be a bit too much. Then I look away, or withdraw myself."

What is ADD?

Everyday dreamy, as it is often called in the Netherlands, has a lot to do with focus.
It is a sub-branch of ADHD.

ADHDers tend to be impulsive doers while ADDers tend to be more dreamy thinkers. They appear calm and a little more thoughtful .
Both find it difficult to carry out long-term tasks.

My Autism

I too have some difficulty estimating social situations.
I had to learn the unwritten social rules through much more trial and error instead of the ususal development.
I often have to actively assess social situations. Because of this, I unconsciously pay more attention when speaking to someone to reading body language, raising of the voice, the emotion in the face and word choices, so that I can be sure I understand this person correctly.
Because I have to observe in this way, I am self-critical and somewhat reserved , but I can also empathize well with others and reflect upon my actions.

Estimating when I can interrupt a conversation to ask or say something is mostly no intuitive act for me. I have to actively seek the right timing. Especially when I don't or hardly know people. That takes energy.
Getting to know my colleagues well is therefore important to me. (By having lunch together and chatting about more than work, for example.) Then it costs me less energy to estimate them and I don't have to be alert all the time. This allows me to sense them better and to tell more easily when I can talk to them, make a joke (which I like to do) or have to help out.
Moreover, it is nice to know your colleagues well. As a result, I enjoy going to work.

Because of this considerating of others ability, I can't stand it when others don't do this. This makes me very uncomfortable around rude bullys. I don't understand these people and I prefer to avoid them.

Because I make such an effort to estimate the other, I see the world a little differently. This provides extra vibrancy and depth to my drawings.

Structure is very important to me.
This doesn't mean that I have to follow a very tight schedule or like to do a lot of repetitive work.
I prefer to make a global weekly planning. I put this in my paper diary.
Then I only have to follow a schedule and not think about or calculate everything three times.

Finally, by dreaming and thinking, and observing social situations, I have become very good at self-reflection. (This page kinda proves this)

My ADD

Because my mind is sometimes elsewhere, I spend a little more time checking whether I have already done the task. Partly because of this , it takes me longer to complete my work .
When tasks follow one another in quick succession and change status, I quickly lose the overview without taking notes.
That's why I like to use scrap paper for tasks on the work floor. In this way I overcome chaos and I can work properly.

In order to create an overview, it is useful to be able to distinguish main issues from side issues . Because I am so detail-oriented , this is less easy for me.
Don't be surprised if I comment on a minor detail while we're still working on the mainline.

I have the hyperfocus . A superpower in which I can move mountains of high-quality work. I am extremely focused at those times, I can work accurately and forget everything around me (eating or going to the toilet).
This concentration can last for five hours for me, during which I have to take a good break afterwards to clear my thoughts. Preferably stretch your legs, get some fresh air or chat with others.
Conditions for a hyperfocus are a quiet environment with little to non ambient noise so that my concentration is not interrupted.

When there are constant environmental noises, my energylevel drops a bit faster. I have to try much harder to concentrate on my tasks.
I also find it difficult to make contact by telephone at such moments.
This is also because facial expressions and body language of my interlocutor are then absent.

Camouflage

Good to know is that my autism is barely visible . I managed to hide it; a natural survival mechanism that many autistic people develop as they grow up. If you met me you wouldn't say I'm autistic.
It is also good to know that I cannot turn off this camouflage and that it costs me a lot of energy, without others noticing it.
When I can be myself without anyone expecting anything from me, the camouflage becomes less and I am more myself. Mainly with people I know well, or on my own. Then I can recharge my energy.
Me-time is therefore very important to me.

Fun facts and fables

Autism is not discovered until late among many women. Women are better at camouflaging the characteristics of autism (both for themselves and for the environment) than men, so that they are less noticeable or even not noticeable at all. Autism can also be invisible in men.
Autism can manifest itself in different ways. The statement: “If you know one autistic person, you know them all” is therefore not correct. For example, one person has difficulty with eye contact, while the other does so effortlessly. So don't believe everything you read on the internet.
Many autistic people are not math, physics, or chemistry geniuses. (me neither)
Both people with ADD and autistic people are above average creative.
People with autism also need social contact.
Both people with ADD and autistic people make different connections. As a result, they sometimes seem to jump from one topic to the next in conversations, while the connections are logical connections to themselves

Tip

Are you also autistic or do you have AD(H)D and do you also have trouble applying for jobs?
Feel free to introduce yourself through your website or a blog.

Personally, I find that very liberating.

Do you want to understand yourself better? Or how you can function with more peace of mind?
Then talking to a therapist who understands autism or ADD is a good starting point. Your doctor knows more about this.
Collecting notes of what you run into is a start. You can then look at how you feel with more distance.

big tip
Have you just discovered that you have autism or AD(H)D? You make process in small steps. Give yourself time to get used to it.