Forward Motion Coaching Barbara Bissonnette, Principal AANE Jody Acford Benefits Conference 2/23/19

AANE 2016 Benefits Conference Who I Am & What I Do Individuals with Asperger’s/autism and NLD Career development coaching Interview intensive Consultations for parents Training for organizations Employer training, consultations and employee coaching Copyright 2019 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 2019 Barbara Bissonnette, Forward Motion Coaching

Coaching individuals since 2006 Background Coaching individuals since 2006 Coaching Certification, Institute for Professional Excellence in Coaching (IPEC) Graduate Certificate, Executive Coaching, Massachusetts School of Professional Psychology (now William James College) Copyright 2019 Barbara Bissonnette, Forward Motion Coaching

Across the U.S. and overseas 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 2019 Barbara Bissonnette, Forward Motion Coaching

Coaching for Individuals Find a Job Right job/career Resume Job search plan Interviews Keep a Job Performance: communica-tion/ EF Manage career Disclosure Whether, when and how Accommo-dations Copyright 2019 Barbara Bissonnette, Forward Motion Coaching

Goals Coaching Process Action Plan Strategy Barriers Copyright 2019 Barbara Bissonnette, Forward Motion Coaching

Addressing Barriers New Skills Resources Action Plan Copyright 2019 Barbara Bissonnette, Forward Motion Coaching

The individual receiving services must: Want 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 2019 Barbara Bissonnette, Forward Motion Coaching

“John” has master’s degree; laid off; looking for 16 months Results “John” has master’s degree; laid off; looking for 16 months Previous job and internships: small offices; concerned about managing in larger company Job posts stressed multitasking, self-starter, ability to deal with stakeholders; presentation skills, fast-paced environment Contrary to John’s profile Shifted to more structured jobs; offer in 3 months Copyright 2019 Barbara Bissonnette, Forward Motion Coaching

“Alex” earned engineering degree; looking for 20 months Results “Alex” earned engineering degree; looking for 20 months No internship or job experience (former is expected in his specialty); GPA below 3.0 Interview questions; addressing GPA (made Dean’s list last semester) Basic networking: former classmate suggested a paid internship; professor supplied lead; hired in 3 ½ months Copyright 2019 Barbara Bissonnette, Forward Motion Coaching

Knows that she is too blunt and direct; doesn’t smile Results “Melissa” is in her 30’s; several jobs either asked to leave or she would quit; recent dx (~5 months ago) Interpersonal communication: told that she offended colleagues with “hostile” emails; didn’t understand why she was “in trouble” when others annoy her Knows that she is too blunt and direct; doesn’t smile Social Thinking resource; nonjudgmental language; researching disclosure Copyright 2019 Barbara Bissonnette, Forward Motion Coaching

Free Resources from Forward Motion Coaching 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 2019 Barbara Bissonnette, Forward Motion Coaching

Free 30-minute session for prospective new coaching clients Services Free 30-minute session for prospective new coaching clients Consultations for parents Consults and training for employers Copyright 2019 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 2019 Barbara Bissonnette, Forward Motion Coaching