Ji-yong Chang shares workplace hurdles and discrimination experiences
Struggling with three-month contract terminations after employers already know his diagnosis, 37-year-old freelance autism awareness instructor Ji-yong Chang explained the hurdles of adapting to unfamiliar workplaces, the Seoul Shinmun reported on March 3.
Chang, who was diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder during his second year of high school, experienced bullying and discrimination in school. Now, he writes a publication blog series titled “Blue and Red Autism Person” to share his everyday school and workplace experiences so others can avoid the same steep learning curve.
“Even though employers knew I was autistic before hiring me, my contracts often ended after three months,” Chang told the Seoul Shinmun. “Autistic people need much more time to adapt to unfamiliar environments.”
Communication difficulties create misunderstandings in the workplace
Communication difficulties stand out as a primary hurdle for autistic adults. Speaking fluently does not mean a person instantly grasps conversational cues or a partner’s hidden intentions.
“Knowing how to speak and holding a back-and-forth conversation are different things,” Chang said to the Seoul Shinmun, noting that he frequently took metaphors and jokes literally in the past, leading to misunderstandings.
To help workplaces bridge this gap, Chang suggests showing photos or videos of new destinations ahead of time. He advises managers to give instructions clearly rather than speaking indirectly.
When sensory overload triggers a meltdown, stepping back to reduce stimuli and help the individual regain stability is essential. Chang also said that avoiding eye contact does not mean someone is ignoring or disrespecting the speaker.
“Just because someone doesn’t make eye contact doesn’t mean they are ignoring you,” Chang told the Seoul Shinmun. “You must not judge an autistic person’s intentions or emotions solely by their outward behavior.”
Social Perceptions of Autism Spectrum Disorder
While popular media like the television drama “Extraordinary Attorney Woo” raised public awareness about autism, Chang cautions against treating fictional portrayals as a universal standard. Because autism exists on a broad spectrum, every individual faces distinct challenges.
“Autism is truly a spectrum, meaning every person experiences different difficulties,” Chang told the Seoul Shinmun. “When people understand these traits and wait patiently, autistic individuals can adapt naturally to society.”
What specific workplace adjustments help autistic employees?
What specific workplace adjustments help autistic employees?
Providing clear instructions without indirect phrasing and offering advance visual aids like photos or videos of new locations help employees adjust to unfamiliar environments, according to Chang.
Why might an autistic person avoid eye contact during conversations?
Avoiding eye contact is common and does not indicate disrespect or disregard for the speaker; outsiders should not judge an autistic person’s intentions based solely on outward actions, Chang stated.
How does autism affect daily conversations?
People with autism may speak fluently while still struggling to pick up on conversational nuances, metaphors, jokes, and back-and-forth social exchanges, as the Seoul Shinmun reported.
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