To tell or not to tell?

I am wondering if I should tell my current or future jobs about my problems if I am diagnosed with something to explain my difficulties.
I wouldn't purposly apply to jobs that I know I can't work at such as a sales clerk that money is based on commision and such...

Poor social skills- I could work jobs that socializing with customers and being able to talk them into signing up for stuff wasn't required. When I speak it tends to be to the point to get people out as soon as possible. I do reply to things customers ask me if they are small talk, though I don't really like small talk some of the times because I want to keep focused on my work. Rarely do I say more than a short reply which I have to force myself to make. Generally it is difficult for me to really interact with the customers.
I do try to encourage myself to say more here and there but it just feels odd to me not to mention not much really comes to mind. But I do have enough problems to make the being social at work a big difficulty to me. I do get complemented on being friendly and helpful...I guess some people can sense what I am feeling on the inside and can see that I am trying.

Working skills- Knowledge of my job is very good, I am able to help out other co-workers with most things when needed. I am very good about knowing the rules and the workings of most things. When it comes to working myself it is a struggle with having to think alot before I do something and I'm prone to make many small mistakes which slows me down along with distractions from things around me. I have somewhat poor cordination which makes doing jobs that require quick and accurately done things hard for me. As well as following somewhat difficult directions or doing certain list of task unless it is broken down and writen for me. Often unable to stay focused on one task so I end up running around starting one task and forgetting abot the first one when I run into something that draws my attention even for a few mins. Othe rthings I can't think of but they are enough to mess me up and cause me problems.


I know my first job used to tell me I worked to slowly eve though I was trying my hardest to keep up. Was hard to because it was very unpredictable and always hot so it was hard to keep focus of my work because of it. When I was cashier or drive thru I was always told I need to smile and chat more with customers but I was really unable to stick with it as well as the others. I couldn't handle the stress and other things that disturbed me such as rude employees and all the beeping and I let it build to a point I would kind of just snap... once I kicked over a big bucket of water, another time I dmg a register, another time I just told a manager I really needed to leave before I got myself into trouble. ; ;


I don't know if I should tell because I hear mixed answers. Some tell me not to tell because it would make them want me to be fired while others say I should tell so they would be more understanding. Which in my case it seems I need more understanding because I had people yell at me for things...I always been told I was a good worker but they always put it as not trying hard enough. My current job seems to be able to let me go if I am unable to get people to apply for Kohl's charge cards that is up to their standards and I am no good at talking people into it. When I get any its always by luck and I doubt my luck will last me to long.


If I should tell...is there a proper way to tell them and I wouldn't really know how to explain the extent to it either.

If I shouldn't tell...how would I deal with my job if I am required to perform things that I have problems with doing good?

shinobu, hi saw u in unanswered posts...personally, i would play it by ear so to speak. It seems to me you have great skills at many things, and worry about this more than u should. Your decision whether to inform an employer of any mental health issues is entirely based on the job and what is required. if you ask a potential empoyer to be very specific as to what is expected, u can weed out the ones that u think might pose a problem for you.and choose the right one that suits your skills the most, then it is a non issue...and you won't have to worry yourself with more things than u have to.You are certainly well spoken and very specific about things,which makes many jobs potentially well suited to your needs.If i were an employer, and needed someone, i would hire you man. best of luck, and take care, hardcore

Some guy from Microsoft posted on the forum recently, claiming that MS deliberately seeks Aspies...

Maybe you should apply.

Try getting government support. My brother has schizophrenia, and the government forced a chop shop to hire him. If you got government support under the condition that you had Aspergers, it's possible you could secure employment no matter what you do. Don't be so sure though, research it beforehand. Also I'm not sure if 'government support' is the proper term. The fact is if you have a mental disadvantage (even if you don't feel Asperger's is a 'mental disadvantage', just tell the right people it is anyways) you should also exercise your right to take advantage of it.

This is just my piece of advice. Don't do it if you don't want to and don't blame me if it screws up completely for you. I'm basing my thoughts strictly on my brother's experience. If you're going to do this, DO NOT tell your employer first because he may fire you based on that alone; play your cards carefully!

My suggestion is not to tell. It is what I do. I tell my closest friends and that is it. Yes it means if I am through not telling, holding myself out as not being on the spectrum, I can not then claim it should I have autism-related problems. Do I lose jobs because of this? Yes. Would I have got those same jobs if I had volunteered the information? No.
This is how i o things and may not work for others and is difficult trying to mask the condition from all and sundry. This is just what I do.