I have a colleague who I suspect might be slightly autistic. There have been a few situations where looks have been exchanged but he didn’t seem to notice, like for example when he asked our department manager for some more details in our yearly result when the manager was stressed. So the manager gives him a super quick answer that we just don’t have that data. He kept asking why and brought up ideas to gather it and our manager made it very apparent that he doesn’t have time but didn’t say it until 2 minutes into the conversation. Everyone in the room noticed, except for that one person asking questions.
He also delivers jokes in a super dry manner that makes the words hit harder instead of saying it in a funny way.
So should I tell him? It could be a very awkward conversation if I’m wrong.
Oh wow. Yes, that would be me as well. I‘m that guy in every place I work.
Maybe talk to the person and speak about an interesting video from the neurodivergent doctor or someone else who is really good at all things autism.
Like „I recently found out“ maybe about yourself or a(n imaginary) friend. So that you don’t have to hit them with „you‘re shit at socials“ but give them strong resources with a quite hefty hint. I need stuff being said pretty directly so if your colleague doesn’t take subtle hints, make it not so subtle instead. :)
Good luck! (Btw. ADHD and trauma have strong overlaps with autism so you‘d have a hard time anyway to tell them apart if you‘re not well informed already)
I have a colleague who I suspect might be slightly autistic. There have been a few situations where looks have been exchanged but he didn’t seem to notice, like for example when he asked our department manager for some more details in our yearly result when the manager was stressed. So the manager gives him a super quick answer that we just don’t have that data. He kept asking why and brought up ideas to gather it and our manager made it very apparent that he doesn’t have time but didn’t say it until 2 minutes into the conversation. Everyone in the room noticed, except for that one person asking questions.
He also delivers jokes in a super dry manner that makes the words hit harder instead of saying it in a funny way.
So should I tell him? It could be a very awkward conversation if I’m wrong.
Oh wow. Yes, that would be me as well. I‘m that guy in every place I work.
Maybe talk to the person and speak about an interesting video from the neurodivergent doctor or someone else who is really good at all things autism.
Like „I recently found out“ maybe about yourself or a(n imaginary) friend. So that you don’t have to hit them with „you‘re shit at socials“ but give them strong resources with a quite hefty hint. I need stuff being said pretty directly so if your colleague doesn’t take subtle hints, make it not so subtle instead. :)
Good luck! (Btw. ADHD and trauma have strong overlaps with autism so you‘d have a hard time anyway to tell them apart if you‘re not well informed already)