News

Autism: Meeting new people in the workplace

By Tyler Ody - 2 February 2023

Opinion and Features

Tyler Ody with a February 2023 edition of the Link Magazine

Living with Autism - a column by The Autistic Journalist Tyler Ody. North Swindon resident Tyler Ody has been working for Swindon Link for the past three years. From the age of four Tyler has been diagnosed with Classic Autism. Here's his new monthly column.

Hey everybody! Welcome to the ninth instalment of my Living With Autism column - and my first article of 2023.

This month is going to be about meeting new people in the workplace and how I feel whilst doing so.

People who know me will know that I am a chatty individual who likes to meet new people, and know the gossip.

For example, whenever I hear about a new work experience individual coming in to either Swindon Link or Swindon 105.5, I do feel excited but at the same time I get nervous.

I get nervous because I think about what the person will think of me, and what their personality traits might be.

When I eventually meet the person I will always introduce myself, and let them do the same. If in a work setting, I would always make sure to say that I am avalible to help if they get stuck.

Then I think about their personality in my head. If they are a nice person then I know we are going to get along.

The staff will explain to the work experience individual that I have Autism so they are aware and it helps me keep calm, because they will understand my behaviour and personality better.

I love putting my skills to good use within my work, and especially if I can help others. Sometimes if there will be more than one person coming to work placement and all from different schools or colleges, it can make me feel worried as I struggle with very noisy environments and sometimes I find it distressing.

But if I am in that situation, I will take myself into a calm and quiet room.

I have been lucky get on with most of the work experience individuals I have met.

Meeting new people and getting to know others for the first time is one of my anxieties I would like to try and overcome, but it will be at a slow and steady pace.