Collaboration & Team Dynamics
Good collaboration starts with acknowledging that not everyone works the same way. That's not a problem — it's a fact.
Work style isn't work ethic
Your autistic colleague might work with headphones on, stick strictly to schedules, or struggle with ad-hoc requests in between tasks. That's not a lack of flexibility — it's how their brain functions optimally. Just as you might think better when talking out loud or sitting in a busy space, your colleague needs different conditions to deliver their best work.
Meetings
Send an agenda beforehand — improvising costs autistic colleagues more energy than the meeting itself
Make space for written input, not everyone thinks out loud
Stick to the end time. Seriously. Overrunning isn't 'flexible', it's an energy drain
Project work
Make agreements explicit: who does what, when, and what counts as 'done'? Assumptions lead to frustration
Prefer written communication for complex tasks — a Slack message is easier to process than a hallway conversation
Don't be surprised if your colleague approaches things differently than you would. Different process can yield the same result
Meeting culture
Not every discussion needs to be a meeting. A shared document or async update sometimes works better
If someone is quiet in a meeting, it doesn't mean they have nothing to say. Explicitly ask for their input
Group brainstorming isn't productive for everyone. Offer the option to submit ideas in writing beforehand
It's not about accommodating one person
Most of these tips make collaboration better for everyone — not just your autistic colleague. A clear agenda, explicit agreements, and room for different work styles are simply characteristics of a good team.