Autism in The Workplace What’s possible and how to help your child/student/client get there….

Why work? Can you count on public assistance in the year 2026, 2036, 2046 etc? It kills time. It might help your child feel better about himself. It might help him socially too.

How do we get started? 1. Find do-able chores and pay for them. 2. Teach ethic of saving earnings, help child have goals for spending what he earns with chores. 3. Judge work honestly but supportively. Chores must be thought of as responsibilities

The next step….. Part-time work in your community…. Look around for do-able* local jobs…. Examples: shelf-stocking, grocery bagging, parking lot attendant, movie usher, mail- room sorter etc…. * do-able by your child which is not necessarily every example listed….

Be your child’s job advocate! Once do-able job is found, show it to your child. Practice what it requires with him. Find the “hiring person.” Show him your child can do the job. Excellent example in “Without Reason”, by Charles Hart

Does the employer have to know about the “A” word? 1. If an agency is involved in the job-search, he probably already does. 2. If not, it is up to you and it really depends on the job.. Resource: “Ask and Tell” by Stephen Shore etc… ( Book about disclosure in all areas of society, written by six people with autism )

Look for local jobs that include something that interests your child! Example: If your child likes animals, maybe he can find work at a pet-store, veterinarian’s office, stable or racetrack If your child likes computer games or any “hip” product, he may enjoy seasonal work helping in sales at a department store.

Basic skills acquired in “Entry Level” jobs 1. Punctuality 2. Grooming 3. Cooperation, teamwork 4. Social respect for co-workers 5. Independent working habits 6. Ability to handle criticism

A job is more than the job description…. Most of our peers can do many jobs. It is factors not normally listed in the job description that can trip us up, such as.. 1. social miscues with co-workers. 2. inflexibility 3. Defensive behavior when criticized. 4. Grooming

Negotiating the job… What if there is something in the job description beyond your child’s ability? Maybe he can do something else instead.

Before your child accepts a job or picks a training program… 1. Look at the entire job…. 2. Will he have to work too many hours? 3. Will he have to work too fast? 4. What are possible social manholes? When and where are the breaks taken? ( Coach him on proper behavior with new co- workers, especially opposite gender ones ) 5. Is degree of eventual required independent working within his reach?

How about a Job Coach? Job coaches are usually funded and hired to assist your child in learning and keeping a job. Possible advantages: Support when problems occur is the main advantage.

Why not a Job Coach? If staying employed is the #1 goal of the job coach, why should he make sure your child learns his job well enough to not need him? For that reason, too many job coaches become “velcro-job coaches” long after your child has outgrown the need for them.

What you should know about ANY job coach, ( if you can find it out ) 1. How many clients have they successfully coached into employed independence? 2. If they weren’t job coaches, would they have jobs?

Getting to and from work…. To Drive or not to Drive? Driving, when feasible, is great! Otherwise, it is DANGEROUS

Is Driving for your child? 1. If he still needs an aide in school, not at this time. 2. If he has concentration issues, not at this time. 3. If he loses his temper a lot, not on our road!!

Money Once your child is making money, he needs to make good decisions about spending it. Adults may never be able to fully support themselves but they should be made aware of how what they make contributes to the total support provided by their earnings, public assistance, family trust etc.

Finding jobs outside the job box… 1. Apprenticeships 2. Co-op college career training programs 3. College and Junior college work- study programs

More jobs “outside the box” A “partnership” job: something requiring two or more people, in which the autistic person’s contribution is what he is capable of doing.. 1. Examples: Shared newspaper delivery, concession stand, vending- machine route servicing, gardening etc.

Working at Home…. 1. Computer repair. 2. Internet-based work such as “air-hitch” ( arranging airline reservations on-line for commission ) 3. Tutoring in subject of interest 4. Other services that can be done at home, such as sewing, stringing tennis rackets, cleaning/repairing household items such as lawnmowers

Jobs held by our peers, currently or in the recent past…. Accountant, Barber, Hairstylist Tumbling coach, Cashier, Computer Geek, Copy Editor/advertising, CAD assistant Paralegal, Hospital Orderly, Caregiver Taxi Driver, Wheelchair Van Operator, School Crossing Guard, Delivery driver, Postal Clerk, Busboy, Copyroom specialist, Carpenter, gardener, bicycle repair, ETC……

Finally…. Don’t assume your child can’t do something until you have given him the chance to do it with reasonable preparation and support.

Resources…. “Developing Talents” by Temple Grandin “Asperger Syndrome Employment Workbook” by Roger Meyer