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design, where I became more independent and remained sociable. After my college days ended, I got my first job but the company went bankrupt and I became isolated from the world. That took a toll on my social network, which is still evident today. For the next six years, I spent my time on the internet editing a Wiki site on Disney and through this I interacted with users around the world. I barely went out or participated in any events and finding a new job on my own was tough. Aside from the difficulties, there are some positives to being autistic. First of all, I am incredibly artistic. I like to draw and write stories inspired by my imaginary world. I am also a perfectionist. I am never satisfied with my drawings or stories until they are absolutely perfect. I am also hyper-sensitive. I notice the slightest flaws that are unnoticeable or unimportant to others and I am hyper-sensitive to sound and smell. The slightest whisper or odour can attract my attention. I have a good memory, but only because I have a habit of repeating things over and over. For example, I have watched the Back to the Future films so many times I now know every sequence from memory, even the smallest details. I am also resourceful, coming up with quick and clever ways to overcome difficulties. Things that would take me a long time to do, I can now get done in half the time. Being resourceful is good for someone like me because when facing difficulties, I try come up with alternative solutions that work for me and everyone around me. “Work smarter, not harder” is what I live by. It has been a slow process, but I have worked really hard to get where I am now. I do not know what the future has in store for me, but I hope to continue improving myself by becoming more independent, more sociable and more engaging. I hope that my experience as an autistic employee will inspire others like me to overcome the struggles we face every day and achieve great things. 26 | DemolitionHUB Magazine
My work at Chambers Media It was in 2018 that I set a goal to change my life. With a lot of help, I was able to find a job that suited me, surrounded by good people. I owe it to my boss, Ben, for giving me an opportunity to work and make a living. He was the only one out of all the jobs I applied for who accepted me despite my autism. At Chambers Media, I work as the company’s graphic designer. I design and create graphics, mostly logos, for our magazines, websites, brands and ads. The job is flexible, I am surrounded by good people who are patient with me, understanding and encouraging. I am able to take things at my own pace and am not pressured into doing anything I do not want to. Being autistic is never easy. Coming out of my comfort zone has always been a challenge for me and everyone around me and rushing or pressuring me has never gone well. I have always been very firm about keeping to schedules, especially when it is time to go home. I like to go on the dot and if I am held for a just few minutes, I get an urge to throw a fuss, which I do my best to keep at bay. What would people say if I threw a tantrum? One time, I had to do a banner for Demolition Careers and Ben would not let us go home until we had completed it. Staying at work longer than usual made me uncomfortable but I went above and beyond and got the banner done, it helped Ben and I got through it. So, handling autism is never easy, but if you have the patience and take the right steps it is manageable. When I started working at Chambers Media, finding work for me was tricky at times. There was often not really much for me to do, I was tasked with drawing up graphics that I do not believe were ever used in our magazines. I realised that I needed to learn
new things as I could not come to work and do the same old thing. So, I started looking up graphic design tutorials on YouTube and supplying myself with all the things that were necessary in graphic design. My role as a designer started to take shape in 2020. By the end of the first lockdown in May I discovered my purpose in designing logos, leading to logos that we currently use in the company, Demolition Hub, Diggers Live, Demolition Careers and the British Demolition Awards. From summer 2020 and into 2021, I started looking more into logo design. I started buying books relating to logo design and watching more YouTube tutorials. During the current lockdown in 2021, I have started looking into professional logo designing and learned more tricks that would guarantee on target results and put an end to endless reviewing. Along with the logos, I also design banners for our websites, YouTube, and LinkedIn accounts. Recently, I have started coming up with designs for magazine covers and presenting my work professionally. I have become more engaging at work since I first started. Back then, I just kept quiet, followed instructions and focused on my work. But recently, I have started to interact more with my colleagues as well as coming up with my own ideas and giving advice to others. Next, I hope to try to communicate more during a briefing instead of remaining silent and nodding in agreement. I have also thought about participating in fieldwork. I could take up photography and accompany colleagues to take pictures for our magazines. At the moment I have no solid plans to do fieldwork, but maybe someday. Just need time and patience as slow and steady wins the race. demolitionhub.com