Introduction 

 
If you should stumble upon this list online, I want you to be 
aware that I am a student of the Autism Spectrum Disorder 
Program at Champlain College and this list was for an 
assignment to get us to understand the needs of people with 
autism in different communities. I teach adults with autism 
job skills, work skills and social skills. I’ve been working with 
adults who live with ASD for the past 20 years. This top ten list 
was created with my students in mind and from what I 
imagine ONE student might need in a work setting. I do not 
speak for all my students or everyone with autism, because 
living with autism is different for each person. I believe the 
idea of “what you should know” top ten lists for autism is very 
useful and extremely important, therefore I will be 
encouraging my students to make their own lists in my 
classroom. 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Ten Things I wish my coworkers and employers 
knew about autism 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
1. Eye contact is not my thing 
 
If I am talking to you and looking off to the side or on the 
floor, or in an awkward direction, it is NOT on purpose 
because eye contact distracts me from speaking with 
you. Your face has a lot of parts and while you speak, my 
brain is trying to process all those parts. It is easier for 
me to converse if I look away. Useful information: not all 
people with autism have this characteristic 
 

 
 
 
 
 
 

 
 
 
 
2. I may not get your sarcasm 
 
My brain is wired so that I interpret everything literally. It 
helps if you give me cues when you are exaggerating or 
joking. Otherwise I will react in a way you weren’t 
expecting and I don’t want to be rude or disappoint you. 
I am still learning how to navigate this social cue 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

 
 
3. I need structure 
 
I do best when goals are clear and the day is structured. 
If there is a celebration or Peggy’s maternity leave might 
interrupt my routine, it helps to know in advance. I 
understand if there might be an occasional disruption in 
my schedule without warning, I may become a little 
nervous, but I know how to overcome it.  
Useful information: My face gets red and I start to 
fidgeting, allowing me to take a 5 minutes to walk away 
and regain recollect my thoughts is helpful. Please do 
not put me on the spot in front of colleagues when this 
happens 
 
  
Ellis Rosen via Cartoon Collections  
 

4. Please minimize “small talk or water-cooler 

gossip”  
 
I’m okay with small talk, I’ve learned how to navigate this odd way 
NT’s (Neurotypicals) socialize. For you it may be a way of 
connecting, instead for me, it’s about getting information. Not 
about social signals, which I find hard to read sometimes. I’m 
working on that too. I have no use for gossip, I will retain what you 
tell me as information and may have no opinion. Chatting with you 
is good practice, still do not expect me to share any meaningless 
trivialities with you. Please don’t be offended by my calling your 
small talk trivial. You might find my knowledge on the history of 
Superman comic books trivial, I won’t get offended if you do. 
Useful tip: I do not flirt and I have difficulty reading flirtatious 
signals 
 
  

 
 
 
5. I have “sensory distractions” 
 
In this same way people might cringe when they hear 
someone chew or the sound of nails on a chalkboard hurts 
your ears, some things do the same thing for me. Neon lights 
are very distracting, it helps if they are covered or dimmed 
while i’m working. The video you are watching on your iphone 
from your cubicle may also be a distraction for me, please 
lower your volume or put on headphones. If watching your 
video is work related then tell me so that I may put on my 
noise cancelling headphones. Just don’t forget me in the 
event of a fire because I may not hear the fire drill or alert. 
   
   
 
 
 
 6. Please keep Emails short and informative  
 
 
If you are sending me an email, please be direct and use 
point forms. Thank you in advance for your cooperation. 
 
 

 
 
 
7. Do not stereotype, not all people with 
autism are the same 
 
People with autism are all different and their brains function 
in a different way ( in the same way everyone has different 
skin tone and hair colour). Telling me that your nephew has 
autism or your friend has a child with autism will not make me 
feel more welcomed, I will simply know that you know someone 
with autism. 

 
Credit: Autism Some Assembly Required 
 8.​Don’t stand so close to me 
 
Especially with Covid-19 around. Judging the 
right distance in a social interaction is hard for 
me, my level of comfort with space will change 
as I become familiar with you however for now 
four feet is a good distance.  
Side note: If I’m trying to get through the 
hallway and there are two people having a 
conversation blocking my way, I may stand 
there and wait till your conversation is over or 
actually walk through the two people and be 
inappropriately close. 
 

 
Cartoonist: Nate Fakes 
 
 
 
 9. ​Provide feedback when possible 
 
Just like any other employee, I need guidance and feedback, 
let me know if I'm doing a good job and let me know if I need 
improvement. It helps me understand goals and achieve 
them. Clear communication is essential for everyone with 
autism or not​. 
 

 
 
Pearshapedcomics.com 
 
 
 
 
 

 
 10. ​Do not speak louder or closer around me, I 
do not have a brain injury, I have autism 
 
My job coach refers to autism as a type of intelligence, not a 
disorder. Please don’t treat me different, it’s okay if you’re 
nervous around me, I am nervous around you too but in time 
we will become familiar with one another and you’ll 
understand autism more and I will understand you better