Anyone working with students with an Autism Spectrum Disorder knows the importance of preparing them for post-school options. To start with, get students involved in volunteer work during vacation time. Certain websites have full details on these programs and offer many options to facilitate finding the right job. There’s also a fantastic book by Jeanette Purkis called The Wonderful World of Work: A Workbook for Asperteens. The author has been kind enough to write a tip-sheet for this Newsletter.
7 Tips for Transition to Work:
- Conversations around employment should be initiated early with the person, as early as when he/she is between 13 and 15 years of age. The education-to-work transition should appear less scary and also much less unpredictable by the teen. In other words, get him/her acquainted with the new chapter in his/her life.
- Address the anxieties the teen feels around working.
- Focus more on his/her potential strengths than on the deficits and help build a sense of self-esteem and self-worth.
- Education is an important factor if success is desired at a workplace. You must not see education as a flight that takes off from the school, flies through the university, and lands on the professional job sector. Instead, make it look like a journey through encouragement and building a positive view of employment, irrespective of the chosen subject. Cite examples of influential autistic people (Temple Grandin, Anita Lesko etc.) who are now a part of mainstream society. Refer to the post onInspiring Autism Talks Shows for some inspiration.
- Find the autistic teen a mentor; someone who is an employed person with ASD whose company is liked by the young person.
- Host/Attend aCareer Day. Make the young person talk to different people (who could be your own friends and relatives) and learn about their jobs and practice related workplace communication. Role play can be very useful.
- Make a list of the kinds of jobs that might fit the individual. He/she must have the required skills, but should also enjoy doing the job. It’s best to create jobs that are based on his/her strengths rather than placing him/her into a job that doesn’t exploit his/her strengths.
I am Ash and I celebrate Neurodiversity! Growing up with an elder brother with severe Autism was tough – but it has also taught me essential life lessons. I don’t believe that people with Autism are necessarily or have any disorder (except in extreme cases). They are just different! And that is something to be proud of! I am passionate about helping other families who may have Autism conditions in their family. So please reach out and drop me a note. I will be glad to help 🙂
