Xavier Ashe

Man, did I have a blast at @bsidesatl@infosec.exchange. First off, I had a great showing for my talk on Neurodiversity in Security. Slide, bibilography, and my research has been posted on the BSides Atlanta discord: https://discord.com/channels/1131429246141743155/1555966595443064933

Then I got invited to record a episode of Down the Security Rabbithole Podcast (DtSR) with Rafal Los.

Then I joined the CTF put on by DC864 and got 3rd place!

Then I won a raffle and am now typing on a new Keychron v6 Max!

The Atlanta hacker scene is just amazing. It was great seeing old friends and making new ones.

Last week I attended management training at work. Got all excited about my job.

Then I come back to my job and reality sets in.

I have a safe, but boring job. It pays pretty well. They don't work me to death.

But I have zero influence to fix anything. I'm not allowed to fix any problems except my own team's problems. I haven't been on any decent projects in years, and can't get promoted because I can't get on anything impactful. They don't promote much anyway, because every new leader has to bring their cronies.

I want to accept that my job has no growth potential, because it's a safe place to be. Damn them for sending me to leadership training and getting me excited to make a difference in my career.

#TGIF

I did a #neurodiversity talk yesterday at @bsidesatl@infosec.exchange. Here are the resources I shared with them:

Job Accommodation Network (JAN) — free, confidential, real people. https://askjan.org/ · (800) 526-7234
JAN sample request letters (the one from the talk; names no diagnosis) — https://askjan.org/articles/Sample-Language-for-Accommodation-Request-Letters.cfm
Your state vocational rehab agency — keeping your job and moving up both count. Georgia: GVRA https://gvs.georgia.gov/ · 1-844-367-4872
Mental Health Hackers — quiet spaces at security cons https://mentalhealthhackers.org/

Know your own profile (free)
Monotropism Questionnaire — https://monotropism.org/
CAT-Q (masking) — https://embrace-autism.com/cat-q
VIA Character Strengths — https://viacharacter.org/
Write a "working with me" doc. Model: UK Civil Service Workplace Adjustment Passport

Asking & if it goes wrong
JAN: Alternatives to Telework — https://askjan.org/articles/Finding-Alternatives-to-Telework-as-an-Accommodation-Interactive-Process-Tips.cfm
JAN: Dos & Don'ts of Disclosure — https://askjan.org/articles/Dos-and-Don-ts-of-Disclosure.cfm
JAN: Request Denied, What Now? — https://askjan.org/publications/consultants-corner/Your-Accommodation-Request-Was-Denied-What-Now.cfm
EEOC filing time limits — https://www.eeoc.gov/time-limits-filing-charge

Five books
Explaining Humans — Camilla Pang
Unmasking Autism — Devon Price
How to #ADHD — Jessica McCabe
Neurodiversity at Work — Theo Smith & Amanda Kirby
Is This #Autism? — Henderson, Wayland & White

Just remember: You don't have to be exceptional to deserve a quiet room.