Employment and the Autism Spectrum: Vocational Guidance for Individuals with Asperger’s Syndrome Barbara Bissonnette, Principal, Forward Motion Coaching

Employment and the Autism Spectrum: Vocational Guidance for Individuals withAsperger’s Syndrome

Barbara Bissonnette, Principal, Forward Motion CoachingIAEVG Conference, 6514, Quebec City, Quebec

Employment: A Timely Topic

•Almost half of young adults with autism who are employed earn < $7.25 /hour; work < 20 hours per week

•In 2009, 33% of young adults with autism had jobs vs. 59% of all young adults with disabilities

(Source: Standifer, W. Scott (2011) Fact Sheet on Autism Employment. University of Missouri, Disability Policy & Studies)

Copyright 2014, Barbara Bissonnette, Forward

Motion Coaching

About Me•Barbara Bissonnette, Principal, Forward

Motion Coaching•Career development coaching for adults

with Asperger’s Syndrome•Consultation and training for

organizations▫Finding Employment that Works for

Individuals with Asperger’s Syndrome: training seminar for professionals


Motion Coaching

My Books

The Complete Guide to Getting a Job for People with Asperger’s Syndrome

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 (Dec. 2014)


Motion Coaching

Today’s Topics

•What is Asperger’s Syndrome•How Asperger’s Impacts Employment•Guiding Individuals to the Right Job or

Career


Motion Coaching

What is Asperger’s Syndrome?(autism spectrum disorder)


Motion Coaching

The Autism Spectrum is Broad

Classic (Kanner’

s) Autism

Asperger’s

Syndrome


Motion Coaching

Heterogeneous Population

•Individuals vary widely in their abilities, challenges, need of support

•Don’t all experience the same symptoms, to the same degree

•Some have trouble with entry-level jobs; others earn $100k+▫Same patterns of difficulties

•Majority of my clients seeking/in competitive employment


Motion Coaching

Asperger’s or Autism?

•In the DSM-5, Asperger’s Syndrome is no longer an official diagnosis

•Now autism spectrum disorder Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental

Disorders, Fifth Edition (American Psychiatric Association, 2013)

•In the ICD-10: International Statistical Classifications of Diseases (World Health Organization) Asperger’s is a separate diagnosis


Motion Coaching

Basic Diagnostic Criteria

•Social interaction▫Reciprocal relationships

•Communication▫Pragmatics▫Nonverbal communication

•Restricted/repetitive patterns behavior, interests, activities (e.g. reliance on routines, special interests, sensory reactivity)


Motion Coaching

A Different Hardwiring of the Brain

Neurotypical Asperger’s Syndrome. .


Motion Coaching

Communication: Perspective Taking

•Inferring what other people are thinking/feeling

•Recognizing situational context•Interpreting nonverbal communication


Motion Coaching

Nonverbal Communication & Context


Motion Coaching

The Search for Meaning (big picture)


Motion Coaching

Summary: Individuals with Asperger’s Syndrome Have Difficulty•Initiating interpersonal interaction with

others•Quickly recognizing situational context

and adjusting their behavior accordingly•Recognizing and interpreting nonverbal

communication (internal states of others; implied expectations)

•Coping with novel situations (prefer routines)

•Focus on parts, not the whole (miss the big picture or “gist” of a situation)


Motion Coaching

Impact of Asperger’s at WorkCopyright 2014, Barbara

Bissonnette, Forward Motion Coaching

Primary Impact at Work

•Interpersonal communication•Sensory processing•Managing time and resources


Motion Coaching

Communication Challenges

•Literal: miss implied expectations; humor/ sarcasm

•Too honest and direct▫Unintentionally offend others

•Black & white thinking•Difficulty engaging with others

▫Eye contact, small talk▫Working on a team


Motion Coaching

Sensory Processing

•May be hyper- or hypo-sensitive to noise, odors, sights, tactile sensations

•Auditory processing problems


Motion Coaching

Restricted Interests/Routines

•Difficulty adapting to change•Focusing on too few details, or the wrong

details▫Misunderstanding the nature on an

occupation•Rigid adherence to routines

▫E.g. not working overtime, ever


Motion Coaching

Executive Function Challenges


Motion Coaching

Executive Function Difficulty

•Unsure of how to begin tasks•Poor concept of time (e.g. how long task

will/should take)•Poor short-term (working) memory•Reduced ability to plan and prioritize•Reduced ability to multitask•Keeps doing what isn’t working


Motion Coaching

If There are EF Problems

•Avoid occupations that require speed, multitasking, dealing with novel situations, organizational ability

•Job seekers will need assistance planning activities, following up, etc.


Motion Coaching

Finding the Right Fit

In a World of Multitasking Generalists…

…these are the technicians, specialists &

experts


Motion Coaching

Strengths of the ‘Asperger Mind’

* Logical and analytic * Detail oriented * Accurate, methodical * Focused *

Specialized expertise * Creative * Loyal * Tolerant of routine


Motion Coaching

No “Short List” of Right JobsTechnical writerCreative writerEditorProduction managerGraphic artistCommercial artistTeacher PhysicistSupply chain managerSales managerNurseLibrarian

Skilled tradesWarehouse Computer programmerEngineer Data entryAccountantLawyerParalegalAdmin assistantRetail sales associatePhysicianMeteorologist


Motion Coaching

Four Factors


Motion Coaching

1. Interests

2. Skills

3. Work Environment

4. Impact of AS

1. Interests

•Special interests do not necessarily translate into gainful employment

•Be mindful of restricted interests in autism

• .


Motion Coaching

Probe Interests

•What does the individual envision himself doing on the job?

•Interest doesn’t equal capability▫What are the tasks? ▫What skills are required?

•Match to realities of local job market•Individual’s important work criteria


Motion Coaching

The Direct Path May Be the Best Path

•Consider college degrees that prepare the individual for a specific job

•Vocational programs


Motion Coaching

2. Talents and Skills

•Abilities and skills that can be reasonably acquired

•Neuropsychological evaluation


Motion Coaching

3. Work Environment• At least some elements of routine• Structure; clear performance

expectations• Minimal interruptions/multitasking• Supportive co-workers• Not too much pressure• Quiet workspace/minimal

distractions • Right level of social interaction


Motion Coaching

4. Personal Impact of AS

•Two categories of limitations▫Those that can be mitigated

Learn/develop skills Assistive technology Accommodations

▫Those that can’t be changed Steer individuals away from jobs that would be difficult or impossible


Motion Coaching

Working with these Students/Clients


Motion Coaching

Establish Rapport

•Frame AS as different brain processing•Be the bridge to the neurotypical (NT)

world▫Fitting in does not mean changing who you

are▫How would an NT interpret words/actions

•Acknowledge and validate their point of view▫Others do not see how hard the person

works •Frame change as an experiment


Motion Coaching

Be Specific

•Break tasks into small steps•Write it down!•Check for understanding•Avoid jargon and abstract concepts

e.g. Don’t talk about “branding”•Practice, practice, practice


Motion Coaching

Resistance or Asperger’s?

•Looks away; doesn’t smile▫Not aware of nonverbal communication

•Poor follow through▫Tasks too large▫Steps not clear▫Literal interpretation▫Can’t remember verbal instructions▫Anxiety▫Doesn’t know why task is important


Motion Coaching

Resistance, or Asperger’s (con’t)•Silence; every answer is, “I don’t know”

▫Person really doesn’t know what to say or how to do something

•Rejects every suggestion▫Rigid thinking▫Perseveration▫Discomfort with change


Motion Coaching

Career Research & Job Search

•Focus on actual jobs in field: tasks, skills, work environment

•Help individual see options•Do not assume s/he can translate

information from books/Web sites to his situation

•Control the flow of information•Choose manageable job search activities


Motion Coaching


•Recognize that interviewing is a BIG social event!

•Many unspoken expectations▫Greeting the interviewer

Look at person, shake hands, SMILE▫Small talk in the elevator▫Knowing where to sit▫Knowing when to leave


Motion Coaching


•Explain the meaning of interview questions

•For job seekers:▫Clarify exact job titles, industries, location▫Decode the language of postings

19 months vs. 2 years experience Required vs. preferred Multitasking and “good people skills”


Motion Coaching

Creating Employment Opportunities

Businesses are Utilizing Specialist Skills•SAP AG: international software

corporation▫By 2020, 1% of workforce will be

individuals on autism spectrum ▫Software testing, documentation, business

process analysts▫Not a charitable initiative

Filling STEM positions


Motion Coaching

CollaborationSAP Job

Openings

Voc Rehab Office

Qualified Candidates

Training at SAP

Hiring Decision


Motion Coaching

SummaryCopyright 2014, Barbara

Bissonnette, Forward Motion Coaching

Employment & Asperger’s

•Encourage thorough career research•Look at an individuals interests, abilities,

right work environment and impact of AS•Consider post-secondary training that

prepares person for a specific occupation•Educate employers about utilizing

strengths


Motion Coaching

Free Resources from Forward Motion Coaching•Employer’s Guide to Asperger’s Syndrome•Workplace Disclosure Strategies for

Individuals w/ Asperger’s Syndrome•Getting Hired: Strategies for Individuals

with Asperger’s Syndrome•Asperger’s & NLD Career Letter (monthly

newsletter w/ employment topics)


Motion Coaching

Contact Information

Barbara Bissonnette, PrincipalForward Motion Coaching

In-person & telephone coaching Training & consultations

Stow, MATel: 978-298-5186

Email: [email protected]: www.ForwardMotion.info


Motion Coaching

Documents

Employment and the Autism Spectrum: Vocational Guidance for Individuals with Asperger’s Syndrome Barbara Bissonnette, Principal, Forward Motion Coaching