Forward Motion Coaching Barbara Bissonnette, Principal Asperger’s Syndrome & Adult Life AANE, January 20, 2018

AANE 2016 Benefits Conference Who I Am & What I Do Career development coaching for individuals with Asperger’s Syndrome and NLD Consultations for parents Training for organizations Employer training, consultations and employee coaching Copyright 2018 Barbara Bissonnette, Forward Motion Coaching

Books The Complete Guide to Getting a Job for People with Asperger’s Syndrome (Gold Medal Winner, ForeWord Book Awards) Asperger’s Syndrome Workplace Survival Guide: A Neurotypical’s Secrets for Success Helping Adults with Asperger’s Syndrome Get & Stay Hired: Career Coaching Strategies for Professionals and Parents of Adults on the Autism Spectrum Copyright 2018 Barbara Bissonnette, Forward Motion Coaching

Background Coaching individuals since 2006 Coaching Certification, Institute for Professional Excellence in Coaching (IPEC) Graduate Certificate, Executive Coaching, Massachusetts School of Professional Psychology Copyright 2018 Barbara Bissonnette, Forward Motion Coaching

So, What’s Up with the Dandelions?

When dandelions pop up in a lawn, we call them weeds; but the spring greens can also make a tasty salad. A similar thing can be said of autistic people — that apparent weaknesses (bluntness and obsessiveness, say) can also be marketable strengths (directness, attention to detail). “Every one of us has the power to decide, do we see a weed, or do we see an herb?” _Thorkil Sonne, Founder, Specialisterne and the Specialist People Foundation Copyright 2018 Barbara Bissonnette, Forward Motion Coaching

My Clients Range in age from 17 to 63 Across the U.S. and overseas Entry level to director/professional positions Majority in competitive employment Copyright 2018 Barbara Bissonnette, Forward Motion Coaching

Coaching for Individuals Find a Job Right job/career Resume Job search plan Interviewing Keep a Job Performance: communica-tion/ EF Manage career Disclosure Whether, when and how Accommodations Copyright 2018 Barbara Bissonnette, Forward Motion Coaching

Coaching Process Goals Action Plan Strategy Barriers Copyright 2018 Barbara Bissonnette, Forward Motion Coaching

Addressing Barriers New Skills Resources Action Plan Copyright 2018 Barbara Bissonnette, Forward Motion Coaching

Success in Coaching The individual receiving services must: Want coaching Devote time & energy to action steps Be willing to learn new skills/implement new strategies Commit for a reasonable period of time Copyright 2018 Barbara Bissonnette, Forward Motion Coaching

Results Recent grad w/Master’s of Library Science in danger of losing job. Disclosed and focused on communication skills. Now in a F/T position and living independently. History major had no interviews 6 months after graduating. Resume revamped, began basic networking: 2 job leads and 3 interviews within 6 weeks. Accounting professional had >20 interviews and no offers. Did not understand that he needed to describe what he could do for the company. Three weeks after shifting focus, was invited for a second round interview. Copyright 2018 Barbara Bissonnette, Forward Motion Coaching

Free Resources Guides Workplace Disclosure Strategies Getting Hired: A Primer for Individuals with Asperger’s Syndrome & NLD Employer’s Guide to Asperger’s Syndrome Monthly Asperger’s & NLD Career Letter Copyright 2018 Barbara Bissonnette, Forward Motion Coaching

Free Coaching Session Complimentary 30-minute session for prospective new clients Copyright 2018 Barbara Bissonnette, Forward Motion Coaching

Parent Consultation Visit my Web site to set up a 60- or 90-minute session Copyright 2018 Barbara Bissonnette, Forward Motion Coaching

Contact Information Barbara Bissonnette, Principal Forward Motion Coaching Greater Boston, MA Tel: 617-690-2127 Email: Barbara@ ForwardMotion.info Web: www.ForwardMotion.info Copyright 2018 Barbara Bissonnette, Forward Motion Coaching