I’m an autistic software engineer. Here are the work accommodations I’m sometimes too afraid to ask for.

This is about work. If you want to know a little more about the human and how it actually feels to be autistic, I’ve also written about that here. It’s worth a read if you want to get to know us a little better!

That said, here’s the list!

1. Concreteness and clarity

I do my best to default to action, but an extra one-on-one to go over ticket requirements can make a huge difference for me.

I also don’t need a lot of justification for why something is important to the company mission. I just need you to cut to the chase and tell me exactly what you want, and — provided it’s not unethical or against my personal values — I’ll do it as if it’s my passion.

2. Space to myself

Open offices are great, but ambient people keep my mind in a running process of low-grade discomfort at all times. This one isn’t too relevant for me now, since I work remotely as a default. But for any future office gig, a corner off the side would probably increase my productivity tenfold (or prevent it from being decreased tenfold).

And when we travel for a conference? I’d rather end up paying for a solo hotel room myself (even an exorbitant amount, if need be) than share with a colleague on the company’s dime.