Department of Chemistry and BiologyChemistry, Biology, Process Engineering, Biodiversity and Ecology

Test your knowledge about cognitive disabilities

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Dys disorders, ADHD, ASD/Asperger's syndrome are diagnoses that are being made earlier and earlier in children.

These are not simple learning difficulties but cognitive disabilities that require real adaptation in the workplace.

Theoretical definitions

These disorders are innate and are characterized by the absence of intellectual disability, sensory impairment, or socio-educational deprivation. They appear during a child's development, before or during early learning, and persist into adulthood.
Dys disorders can affect written or spoken language (dyslexia, dysorthography, dysphasia), motor or neuro-visual development (dyspraxia), or even numerical activities (dyscalculia).

People with Attention Deficit Disorder with or without Hyperactivity (ADHD) have difficulty, among other things, concentrating, paying attention, and completing tasks. They may have trouble sitting still, waiting their turn, and often act impulsively.
Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD or Asperger's Syndrome) is a pervasive developmental disorder that causes difficulties in social interaction and communication, associated with restricted interests and repetitive behaviors (rituals). The person has difficulty decoding messages they receive and clearly communicating their own messages to those around them, which can lead to difficulties in integrating.
It is common for a person to have several of these disorders. However, each of these disorders involves significant fatigue as a result of the compensatory measures that the person must put in place on a daily basis.

Allowing for more time, more learning, and more concentration are three working conditions that are often essential for these individuals.

Practical amenities

Imagine a loud atmosphere, bright lights, and people constantly asking for your attention, all while the phone rings insistently. This can be the daily experience of a colleague with ASD or attention deficit disorder. The work environment therefore requires significant personal compensation, and simple adjustments can help: avoiding bright lights, allowing time alone or working in a private office, limiting telephone interactions.
 

Social codes are the foundation of our work community, but they can be difficult for our colleagues with ASD or certain dys disorders. Some people have trouble understanding sarcasm in real time, which prevents them from grasping implicit meaning and nonverbal communication (such as reading facial expressions). Similarly, last-minute changes can be very anxiety-provoking. This is illustrated by the story of a fellow teacher who needs "a structured schedule and clarity in order to feel comfortable."
 

Most of our colleagues with cognitive disorders find ways to adapt their work environment themselves: lowering blinds, wearing earplugs, organizing their schedule to have time to work alone, favoring written communication.
 

The occupational health physician is also an indispensable resource for recommending simple adjustments (teleworking, noise-canceling headphones, a private office) or more costly ones such as software (voice dictation, spell check) or a job coach, but also for supporting the employee in communicating with their professional colleagues. According to the testimonials collected, talking about it can prevent "too many disparaging or well-meaning but embarrassing comments about fatigue, behavior, or absences."
 

Finally, some accommodations require the goodwill of colleagues, without being difficult to implement. One example is a colleague with dyslexia who is unable to read an experiment protocol: a simple change in layout can help. The document could also be provided in electronic format so that they can listen to it using specialized software.Establishing clear communication ensures mutual understanding and avoids misunderstandings: "When I work with someone, I would like them to make an effort to be clear in what they say [...] and to avoid making assumptions. I would like people to avoid asking me to make phone calls, as this is difficult for me."
 

And at UGA?

Université Grenoble Alpes committed to the "Aspie-Friendly" initiative to promote the professional integration of students with Asperger's syndrome.
This program will train teachers to better understand and support students with ASD.