Difficulties & Challenges in Finding Employment for

an adult with Asperger Syndromeby Garry Burge

University of Queensland Library

The barriers a person with Asperger Syndrome confronts in employment.You are from another planetYou don’t know the rulesYou are misunderstood Your strengths and abilities

are over looked

MorkLike Mork, an Adult with Asperger Syndrome has many

challenges in finding and keeping employment. His reports to intergalactic counselor, Orson, reveal that

Mork is….Seldom understood Not accepted for his eccentricityFrequently alienated in the workplaceExcluded from the world around him

Mork came to Earth from Ork“Coming from Ork I just feel like I am from another planet and understanding people is just a constant challenge.”

Adults with Asperger SyndromeAsperger Syndrome an invisible disabilityInability to understand visual queues and body languageUnwritten rules of social interaction makes employability difficultResponds better to structure and predictabilityPrefers to focus on job rather.Finds a lot of mental energy needed to pursue a job task.Needs support in finding employment, interview support,

training and staff development.

“Help Wanted” ServicesWhat is available What is requiredEmployment Agencies not

fully aware of how to support people with Asperger Syndrome

Disability Employment Agencies provide generic support for a person with a disability

Support with finding employment for adults, interview support, training and staff development.

Disability Employment Agencies don’t offer the necessary specialised support for adults on the Autistic Spectrum

Challenges to finding employment?People with Asperger Syndrome are at a serious disadvantage in a job interview, because:There may not be support in an employment interviewThey are judged according to their social skillsThey are not able to read body language and understand

important visual cuesAnxiety (see all the above)

I would like a chance but I feel nervous at job interview as I don’t know what I am supposed to know and say, read body language and whether I will be given a chance to demonstrate my skills, abilities and feel judged at face value!

Hurdles for Adults with Asperger Syndrome at workA person may focus too much on individual details and

respond better to routine. This makes it difficult to adapt to change, accomplish multi tasking duties and perceive the host organisation’s big picture

Without efficacious communication and support strategies, a person can lose a sense of direction and become confused by hierarchical structure

Will I be able to get over this difficult hurdle !?!

For Adults within employment it is difficult to obtain career development Lacking social skills they can be placed

into routine, base grade, positionsOpportunity to demonstrate and

develop their more valuable skills is rarely presented

Most adults are overlooked for promotion

Limited on the job support

I put the effort in but I never seem to get anywhere.

Thinking and acting differentlyJust thinking and acting differently makes it hard for an adult with Asperger Syndrome to find tolerance and support within a work environment

Everyday stumbling blocks at workAn adult with Asperger Syndrome may appear as odd or

different and feel alienated from other employees, and co-workers around them

An adult with Asperger Syndrome may not know what clothes are appropriate for certain jobs

The following link highlights employment issues http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pj9_WKbbZwA

Bullying and ExploitationBullying and exploitation is a serious a problem during the

lifetime of a person with Asperger SyndromeMost adults with Asperger Syndrome have suffered low self

esteem as a result of bullying and/or exploitation, which they may be self-conscious of within employment

In the workplace, deliberate bullying, and thoughtless separatist behaviour can seriously raise anxiety levels and affect job performance

Sadly dismissal or resignation is common in workplaces where separatist behaviours remain unchecked

Remember... ...although a persons self esteem and outcomes will improve given suitable work...

A person with Asperger Syndrome can feel anxious, have difficulty with multi tasking and demonstrating their strengths and abilities

Communication SupportOnce a person with Asperger Syndrome has been employed, an Employment Consultant should build and maintain a working relationship between the person with Asperger Syndrome, the Manager & Supervisors, and themselves

The key is knowing to tell and how to sell!

Communication support is ongoing. First established prior to start date and progressed throughout work life Strong communication needs to exist between,

the employee with Asperger Syndrome, the Manager and the Employment Consultant

Employment Consultants needed to liaise with and tellPerson with Asperger Syndrome ManagementResponsibility in the workplaceTea breaks, lunch room and

start and finish timesImportant procedures within

employmentWhom to see should there be

any issues or concerns

The persons strengths and weaknesses

Information and education mediums other staff members require to facilitate positive outcomes

Critical points to communicate arePersons awareness

Persons requirements

Support in the workplace

• Scope likely promotion of Employee’s talents

• Follow up any issues that may emerge

• Workplace objectives:• Clarity• Support

framework

• Make meetings with Employee and Consultant

Establish reliable liaison protocolsEstablish workplace awareness and support

Professional DevelopmentClarify and address any staff concerns

Comepass Success

Garry, who has Asperger’s Syndrome, was well suited to take on a shelving role with his high functioning ability and natural affinity with numbers - and UQ Library was pleased to have him.Welcome to the Library, Garry!

ISSUE 656, 22/12/2010 , p5

Full article http://www.library.uq.edu.au/links/links656.pdf#page=5

Pictured (from left) Back row: Martin Rhodes, Garry Burge, Joanne Rutherford,

Chris Burke, Front row: Nicola Bertoli, Margaret Wilhelm, Eva Lewandowski and

Comepass Consultant, Tri Pham

Garry Burge Service Support Assistant University of Queensland Social Sciences Library

University of Queensland, St Lucia, Brisbane

Remarkable Minds Just Waiting for Work Extraordinary memory … but the only work James Russell, who has high-functioning autism, can find is filling envelopes and lugging boxes.

The Sydney Morning Herald

March 20th 2010

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uDoWfnAdDeU

Just give me a chance to think and utilize my

knowledge and

intelligence

Employment issues http://www.youtube.com/watch#!v=4FwKBLotQRc&feature=related

Visit at http://specialisterne.com/

About Specialist People FoundationSpecialist People Foundation want to create a new paradigm in which Specialist People will get a new opportunity to realise their potential as active contributors in the labour market and in society in general.

On Reflection some important things to consider Adults with Asperger Syndrome make good employees; they are diligent,

conscientious, reliable and pay attention to detail. So should they really be unemployed?

Applicants should inform potential employers about their Asperger Syndrome, to increase awareness and prevent discrimination (see Disability Discrimination Act).

Should the government improve services and funding to allow for more support in terms of Disability Employment Agencies and Employment Consultants?

In terms of employment opportunities, should society be nurturing adults with Asperger Syndrome, rather than leaving them behind?

Should adults with Asperger Syndrome who want to work have the opportunity to have a go!?

Mork and Mindy excerpt illustrating how not being aware of, or misreading, social conventions, leads to things going wronghttp://www.youtube.com/watch#!v=KclJrJYtyVo&feature=related

Ways to assist a person with AS in employment Find the person’s strength and suitable employment to match their abilities

Assist with initial placement and ensure follow up periods

Ensure that employment consultant works with the client and the manager or supervisor representing the employer

Find a manager who is willing to support the client within employment and assist with issues and safeguard against issues.

Promote awareness of Asperger Syndrome to potential employer indicating the benefits of employing the Asperger person

Provide suitable workshops on awareness of Asperger Syndrome .

Suitable jobs for an Asperger Person Libraries

Working in a plant nursery or working with animals

Information Technology

Data Entry

Military

Video store

Photographer

Dr Temple Grandin adult with Autism web link with some useful employment http://www.autism.com/ind_choosing_job.asp

How to contact Garry Burge Garry Burge’s blog on Dr Tony Attwood’s website

http://garrysaspieblog.blogspot.com/ Dr Tony Attwood’s website

http://www.tonyattwood.com.au/

Garry Burge’s You Tube Channel http://www.youtube.com/user/Aspie37

Email: Garry Burge, Staff Representative of University of Queensland Disability Sub Committee, Social Sciences and Humanities Library

g.burge@library.uq.edu.au Chris Mitchell United Kingdom – Asperger Syndrome Employment Advocacy and Autism

Works (Employs adults on the Autism Spectrum with computer software testing). http://www.chrismitchell.org.uk/ http://www.autismworks.co.uk/

“Greetings from planet Ork”