FAQautism

Some individuals with autism are very successful in the working world, but others need a boost. Whether a person will work independently or with significant support from a job coach, they must have some basic skills in order to get a job and keep it. Let’s look at five job related skills that lay the foundation for successful employment.

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(1) Self-Care. A person’s options for employment expand if he is able to take care of his basic needs independently or with minimal assistance. Focus on teaching as much independence as possible with toileting, lunch and snacks, washing hands, and taking care of personal items such as a backpack, time-clock, or nametag.

(2) Focus. Most jobs require an employee to focus on the task at hand. It is also important that a person pays attention to instructions given by a boss or supervisor as well as any important announcements and safety drills. But, most importantly, employees are expected to focus on their job tasks for an extended period of time.

(3) Follow. Compliance is another critical skill in employment situations. Our friends with autism will be much more productive if they can (and will) follow directions with minimal assistance. If a person with autism has deficits in processing verbal instructions, he can be taught to use a visual schedule so employers and job coaches can successfully communicate the information needed to complete a task or a job sequence. If a person is rather strong-willed or uncooperative, you can gradually shape cooperation and a willingness to follow directions and job procedures.

(4) Finish. Even when jobs are broken down into a series of smaller tasks, some individuals with autism are unable to complete those tasks without prompting. Success is more likely if your friend with autism if he learns to finish tasks or job sequences with less and less prompting from a supervisor or job coach.

(5) Flexible. The nature of autism causes some individuals to be intolerant to changes in routine. Your friend with autism will have a much more successful job experience if she can learn to be flexible and “go with the flow.”

TIP FOR THE DAY. Take inventory of strengths and deficits in these five foundational areas, then develop strategies to shape the skills necessary for successful employment.

NOTE TO READERS AND LISTENERS: I am Cathy Knoll, a board certified music therapist and long-time friend of many folks with autism. At FAQautism.com we are committed to providing free, practical, everyday tips for making life better for people with autism. Feel free to send me a confidential email at talk@FAQautism.com with your thoughts or challenging situations or innovative solution. And don’t forget to check out our website for a wealth of ideas and a glimpse into the world of autism. http://FAQautism.com

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