A message from Chief Administrative Officer Helen Robbins-Meyer:
The County regularly supports awareness events on a variety of issues and causes. It’s currently Autism Awareness Month, and I’d like to put an inward focus on the observance and talk about how autism affects many of our own employees and our operations.
You may be aware that in recent years, separate types of autism were consolidated into one diagnostic term known as “autism spectrum disorder.” Within that spectrum, some people need a great amount of support with daily living. Others live independently and have thriving careers.
A recent UC San Diego study found about 1 in 22 children in California has been identified as having autism spectrum disorder. That tells you that among our nearly 20,000 County employees, a lot of families have a member with autism.
Parenting of any kind is demanding. That effort can step up dramatically for parents and caregivers with a child on the spectrum. Depending on the child, the care might need to be constant and may continue for many years – even throughout their lives.
There will likely be numerous appointments with a whole slate of professionals, especially in the phase following a diagnosis. A team of specialists or a therapy session may be available only at specific times. Parents will need to arrange a variety of resources. They have to become persistent advocates for their child, which turns into a job of its own. It’s mentally and emotionally taxing for the caregivers.
So I’m asking that we offer our support to those parents in our workplace. Through our acknowledgment and understanding, and by affording them as much flexibility as we can for their particular situation. When schedules are rigid on their end, let’s try to adjust things on ours.
Know that milestone moments in school or other activities can take on outsized importance. An achievement that may seem routine in many families might be a can’t-miss cause for celebration.
For any parents just starting out on this journey, there are many organizations and resources to help you. The San Diego Regional Center is a good place to start.
I’m by no means setting this apart from the medical and personal challenges of all kinds our employees and their families face. But for those who aren’t living with autism, it may not be apparent just how much of an impact it can have, and I want no less accommodation than we’d offer in other deserving circumstances.
I also don’t want anyone to think it’s only work for the parents of an autistic child. They also have the joys of parenthood, and if you’re swapping kid stories with co-workers, they’ll have theirs to share.
(Side note, because I know many of you are attuned to this. Feedback we’ve gotten is that autistic people generally prefer identity-first language.)
But my message is not just about parenting. I want to talk about autism as a facet of inclusion in our workforce.
Brian Lafferty was diagnosed with autism when he was 12. He started working at the County about 10 years ago and has held a variety of records management positions in different departments. Currently he’s with the Medical Examiner’s Office.
He said what people often associate with autism are the most noticeable, and negative, behavioral aspects of the disorder. What gets missed are the skills and many ways they can contribute.
Brian said his mom’s strategy in raising him was to always focus on his strengths. That’s what he’d ask of employers or society at large.
“If we’re given a chance, we can succeed,” he said.
We are now looking at ways we can build more of those opportunities to succeed within the County. For autistic people and for anyone under the broader umbrella of neurodivergence, which refers to all the variations in how the brain operates.
One example has been Jay’s Program, which provides internships in County offices to people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. We started it a few years ago and recently had a celebration when our five latest interns wrapped up their six months on the job.
We want to expand on that. We recently ran a survey to get an idea of employees’ understanding of neurodivergence. Results will help us shape trainings and other processes that can help neurodivergent people into our workforce. For example, they may have behaviors that don’t fit what we expect from candidates in person-to-person interviews, causing us to overlook the skills they do bring. If we build that understanding, we’re opening up opportunities and may get a perfect fit for a position.
That’s the pattern that underlies all our diversity and inclusion efforts. The more we open up, the stronger we get, and the better at serving all San Diegans.
I want to thank Brian for sharing his experience. And thanks also to Caroline Smith, director of our Office of Economic Development and Government Affairs, and mother of an autistic child, for sharing her insights.
Thank you, everyone, for increasing your awareness, for your support of our colleagues, and for making the County a place where everyone belongs.
