Asperger’s Syndrome and Adult Life
AANE, January 9, 2016
Who I Am & What I Do Career development coaching for individuals
with Asperger’s Syndrome and NLD
Consultations for parents
Training for organizations
Employer consultations and employee
coaching
Copyright 2016 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 2016 Barbara Bissonnette, Forward Motion Coaching
Background
Ten years coaching individuals
V.P. Marketing and Sales
Coaching Certification, Institute for
Professional Excellence in Coaching (IPEC)
Graduate Certificate, Executive Coaching,
Massachusetts School of Professional
Psychology
Copyright 2016 Barbara Bissonnette, Forward Motion Coaching
When dandelions pop up in a lawn, we
call them weeds; but the spring greens can
also make a tasty salad. A similar thing can
be said of autistic people — that apparent
weaknesses (bluntness and obsessiveness,
say) can also be marketable strengths
(directness, attention to detail). “Every
one of us has the power to decide, do we
see a weed, or do we see an herb?” _Thorkil Sonne, Founder, Specialisterne
and the Specialist People Foundation
Copyright 2016 Barbara Bissonnette, Forward Motion Coaching
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 2016 Barbara Bissonnette, Forward Motion Coaching
Coaching for Individuals
Find a Job
• Right job/career
• Resume
• Job search plan
• Interviewing
Keep a Job
• Performance: communica-tion/ EF
• Manage career
Disclosure
• Whether, when and how
• Accommodations
Copyright 2016 Barbara Bissonnette, Forward Motion Coaching
Coaching Process
Goals
Barriers
Strategy
Action Plan
Copyright 2016 Barbara Bissonnette, Forward Motion Coaching
Addressing Barriers
Resources
Action Plan
New Skills
Copyright 2016 Barbara Bissonnette, Forward Motion 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 2016 Barbara Bissonnette, Forward Motion Coaching
Results Applied math major seeking job for 19 months; new
strategy: disclose in cover letter.
Librarian’s supervisor annoyed that he misses
“obvious” instructions & is confused by scheduling
system. Disclosure avoids imminent job loss.
Professional woman stops ignoring co-workers;
amazed at positive reaction; chosen to lead a project.
Copyright 2016 Barbara Bissonnette, Forward Motion Coaching
Free Resources 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 2016 Barbara Bissonnette, Forward Motion Coaching
Free
Coaching
Session
Complimentary
30-minute session
for prospective
new clients
Copyright 2016 Barbara Bissonnette, Forward Motion Coaching
Parent Consultation Visit my Web site to set up a 60- or 90-minute
session
Copyright 2016 Barbara Bissonnette, Forward Motion Coaching
Contact Information Barbara Bissonnette, Principal
Forward Motion Coaching
Milton, MA
Tel: 617-690-2127
Email: Barbara@ ForwardMotion.info
Web: www.ForwardMotion.info
Copyright 2016 Barbara Bissonnette, Forward Motion Coaching