Asperger's and Employment- Part 4
When supporting individuals with AS to find and maintain summer employment, it is important to consider the social, and communicative strengths of the individual, as well as their preferences with regard to social work environments. Many of the jobs listed as "more suitable" for individuals with AS are jobs that allow the individual to work alone, thereby avoiding social interactions. Many times, these "lone" work environments are ideal for teenagers and adults with AS. It is a mistake when adults working with teens with AS push them into highly socially demanding jobs such as restaurant server, camp counselor, or fast food employee, assuming that by simply exposing teens with AS to many social situations, the teen will learn the social thinking skills they are lacking. The highly sensory stimulating environments of the jobs listed above, paired with the fast-paced social interaction demands, will likely produce additional problems and meltdowns for the teenager with AS. When adults with Asperger Syndrome were surveyed and asked about "key factors" in roles and working environments they thrived in and enjoyed, the number one factor was "working alone."
As an adult working with a teenager with AS, here are some ways you can support him/her in finding and maintaining summer employment:
- Consider the social and communicative demands of the work environment.
- Ensure the individual has skills with regard to interviewing (role-play before the real thing).
- Ensure the individual is learning social thinking and perspective-taking skills directly (www.socialthinking.com is a great resource for curriculum and materials to teach these skills).
For additional information on Asperger Syndrome and Employment, please refer to the book: Asperger Syndrome and Employment: What People with Asperger Syndrome Really Really Want by Sarah Hendrickx.
Book of the Week:
This book is in the SESA Library. You may search the library catalog via the SESA website (http://www.sesa.org), or contact Anne directly by email at afreitag@sesa.org or by phone at 907-334-1301.
