How do You Self Advocate?

Jun 10

Scripts are your friend. And friends are even better! Prepare what the list of accommodations you are requesting and if it would help you to have a trusted friend with you for support.

Familiarize yourself with company policy, school policy and the law in your area regarding accommodations. Some legal professionals will offer free consultations if you have questions about your rights as a worker or student.
Frame your request by stating how the accommodation would be beneficial to both you and the person you’re asking for the accommodation from. Illustrate by explaining how the accommodation will lead to a quicker and better result with your responsibilities.
Mental health professionals can and will help you draft applications and requests for accommodation.

Example points to raise

"I have trouble focusing, this accommodation would help me do my task with less distraction."
"My condition is not an excuse but it is a reason, this accommodation helps mitigate the difficulty I face."

You don't need to have an official diagnosis. Having a signed note that this is necessary from a medical professional is enough to give you the right to ask for accommodations in most places.

Knowledge of the aspects of your neurotype and needs and how it affects things that you do will give you points to raise in these situations that can help explain your needs to your neurotypical peers. e.g. Bottom-up vs top-down thinking, sensory distraction, differing social-cues, etc.

This includes keeping in mind your preferred modes of communication. Speaking, writing, etc.
It also may be necessary to understand some common ways in which neurotypical people may misunderstand or unknowingly tout opinions that are not inclusive of your neurotype, so you can be prepared with effective nudges in a better direction. You don't have to turn someone doing this into a full-on advocate for you, just into someone that can see where you are coming from.

If you have the capacity to take on educating those you are needing accommodation from if these concepts don't resonate with them, it may be helpful in making the requests go more smoothly.

Full Disclosure and formal requests are, sadly, not always a viable option. You may be in an industry that simply will find whatever way they can to not work with you, instead of having to accommodate you.

If you have the privilege to be able to, there may be cases where you can take an approach of meeting your workplace 'where they are' by making small requests that better meet your needs without impacting much on their end.
Finding a trustworthy coworker, if they have the capacity and are willing, that you can bounce your thoughts off of, or can help make adjustments or interpret things for you can also be a huge help.

You have rights. If nothing is working and your company refuses any reasonable accommodations you are requesting, they are very likely violating the rights given to you through the ADA. Reporting them or even mentioning that you will have to report them, especially if it’s a big company, will often result in those barriers suddenly 'disappearing'.

Self-Advocacy doesn't just happen at places of work or education. Many of these concepts apply in receiving medical care as well.