Dr. Tony Attwood’s Advice on Getting and Keeping a Job
The Many Qualities of Someone with an ASD
The majority of adults diagnosed with an ASD are unemployed or under-employed, that is, their job does not match their abilities, qualifications and aspirations. This is despite those with an ASD having many skills which are sought by employers. These skills include: reliability, accuracy, persistence, attention to detail, enjoyment of routines and procedures, creativity in problem solving, extensive factual and technical knowledge, a strong sense of social justice, a preference for not allowing socializing to be a distraction, a talent for identifying errors for quality control, and a natural ability with cataloguing information and identifying patterns and sequences.
Appraising the Potential Workplace
The first stage is for the person with an ASD to find and apply for a job that matches his or her abilities, qualifications and personality. It is important to gather as much information as possible on the social and sensory aspects of the job and, if feasible, the attitude of the line manager and workmates or colleagues to someone who has the characteristics of an ASD. People with an ASD can sometimes have an uncanny ability to quickly appraise the social atmosphere of a new situation, and a positive or negative attitude towards ASD can become apparent on meeting the staff and seeing the work environment prior to or during the interview process. It is wise to trust that intuition.
Applying for a Job and Preparing for an Interview
There may need to be guidance in completing the application form, particularly in deciding whether or not to disclose the diagnosis. There are no clear rules on disclosure when applying for a job, and it is sometimes a personal decision based on whether disclosure would facilitate or inhibit achieving an interview. Once the interview stage is reached, it is important to decide what to wear, and to rehearse with someone who knows you well how to answer the anticipated questions during the interview. If you have stated in the application that you have an ASD, it may help to prepare a brief brochure on ASD and the resultant qualities you possess in relation to the position. The brochure can be attached to the application or given to those who are interviewing you.
Optimizing the Interview Process
A job interview is an intensely social ordeal. There is an expectation that you will be able to read the body language of those conducting the interview, and succinctly and honestly answer their questions. Many people with an ASD have difficulty “selling” themselves to a potential employer and knowing the social conventions in an interview. That is why it is essential that there has been some practice and rehearsal in interviewing techniques. It may also be valuable to have an informative portfolio of relevant work experience that can be the focus of the interaction, rather than have a group of people simply looking at you. If those conducting the interview know that you have an ASD, it will help if you are able to describe some of the difficulties associated with ASD. Stress that these are significantly fewer than the qualities, and that there are strategies to facilitate successful employment. Family members or job coaches may be able to provide guidance in how to answer questions about ASD.
Maintaining Successful Employment
Should the application be successful, there are strategies designed for those with an ASD to maintain successful employment. These strategies include having an assigned mentor (a colleague) who can explain not only the work requirements, but also the social dynamics and social protocols of the new work environment, and provide feedback and guidance on teamwork skills. There may also need to be more reassurance that work performance is satisfactory than would occur with a neurotypical, and there should always be prior notice of changes in job requirements. Fortunately, there are now several books on achieving successful employment for those who have an ASD, the majority being published by Jessica Kingsley Publishers.
The Benefits of Employment
There are so many benefits in achieving and maintaining successful employment for the person with an ASD. These include having a clear structure and purpose to the day, an increase in self-esteem and an effective antidote to depression. There is also the enjoyment of a greater income and financial independence, and an opportunity to make friends, as well as the satisfaction of being able to apply knowledge and abilities in a practical and lucrative way.