AccessAbility at Sage: Autism Speaking

By Bailey Grace Colsh, Product and Marketing Intern at Sage

Autism Acceptance Month can be a confusing time for those who aren’t on the autism spectrum or formally diagnosed. It’s a month of acceptance, which includes education on autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and is a reminder to create spaces that better include and accommodate people on the spectrum. As an autistic person, it can sometimes feel that we spend more time accommodating others—or “masking” our autistic traits—than accommodating ourselves.  

A typical day for me as an autistic intern is like any other intern’s, with the addition of some fun things. I have an office chair that’s wide enough to cross my legs or accommodate a more unconventional way of sitting. I wear noise-canceling headphones to play music while I work to remove any overwhelming stimuli around me. An array of fidget toys sits on my desk to help keep my hands busy during meetings. From twisty toys to a pen with a rollerball clip, these items are inconspicuous enough for me to stim (repetitive motor movements, use of objects, or speech used for calming purposes or improving focus or attention) in meetings undetected. When I was hired at Sage, I only disclosed my disability once I was in my hiring interview with HR. Sage is the first company where I’ve been open about my diagnosis. While discrimination in hiring is illegal, it’s still a valid fear for those with disabilities. I value that Sage takes inclusion seriously, and I enjoy working in such a great community. 

As an intern at Sage, I’ve learned how to accommodate my autism and ask others for accommodation as well. My manager is great, and we meet weekly to ensure I’m not overwhelmed and talk about how to handle a range of situations. She’s happy to repeat or reword instructions for me to understand better, and our regular check-ins help me prioritize my assignments to multitask better. This helps me organize a brain that can be easily overstimulated.   

I also love our emoji functions within Microsoft Teams. Reading tone—in a meeting or over email—can be challenging. Vague language can also be difficult to discern. Specific language and emojis help me process a message’s tone and evaluate and respond effectively.   

While I don’t speak for our entire community, this Autism Acceptance Month, I challenge you to learn the best ways to support your autistic colleagues. Place an emphasis on accepting the disorder and its symptoms, as well as supporting those with unique needs.  

Understanding Autism Spectrum Disorder 

Autism Spectrum Disorder is not a disease, rather the spectrum represents a span of autism disorders that fall under one umbrella diagnosis. “Asperger’s” and the assigning of “high” or “low” functioning no longer serve as labels to define our worth. Our disorder is not a linear spectrum but closer to that of a color wheel, where some are different hues of colors. We are no longer represented by a puzzle piece that might suggest a piece of us is missing but by an infinity symbol.  

Additional learning resources  

Many people might think, who better to explain autism to those not on the spectrum than someone with autism? We’re just living like anyone else and feeling responsible for educating the world can be exhausting. Self-education is an integral part of being an ally. I recommend research from the Autistic Self Advocacy Network (ASAN), an organization run by people on the spectrum that provides helpful resources.