There are many benefits to employing adults on the Autism Spectrum but to begin with some very important measures are required to make adult employment a reality. For adults with Asperger Syndrome they have many attributes in employment, we are diligent, reliable, focused on attention to detail, conscientious and often require very little supervision.
What then is required to make employment possible and easier for adults on the Autism Spectrum? Before beginning to answer this question it is important to begin with the necessary requirements. Firstly adults with Autism require the support of employment agencies specifically focused on the Autism Spectrum. Such agencies need to firstly assist adults by providing job coaches or employment consultants. It is the responsibility of the consultant or job coach to firstly meet with the Asperger adult to establish where their strengths and abilities lie and what type of employment they may be suitable for. There are many areas where adults on the Autism Spectrum can work and these include the following; Libraries, Vet Clinics, Archives, Art Galleries, Parking Attendants. There are many books which are available which indicate employment opportunities for adults on the Autism Spectrum. What I can highlight specifically though are the employers Autism Works, Specialisterne and Aspiritech. A simple Google search can provide you with more information on these employers and the progress currently underway in employing adults with Autism.
The community in general is not yet fully aware of the positive benefits in employing adults on the Autism Spectrum but to begin with employment agencies do need to be created. As I have indicated the important function of the employment agency is to provide the following support. Firstly a job coach or employment consultant needs to work with the Asperger Adult. Secondly the Employment agency needs to approach and canvass potential employers, provide assistance with interview attendance, with the aim of providing awareness and indicating the advantages of hiring an Asperger person. Finally, managers and supervisors need to be trained and awareness of the Autism Spectrum so that they are aware of potential strengths and strong points.
Australia is currently lagging in this area and it is my hope that this will soon change. Currently little support is available with only limited job placement and training within employment for the very few adults who are employed. Australia also needs to come on board with either Specialisterne or Autism Works before it can closely fall into line with the United Kingdom, Denmark and the United States. As I speak, nothing as yet exists in Australia and again it is my hope that Brisbane, will soon have a similar replication so that adults with employment can find meaningful employment.
Adults on the Autism Spectrum have varying levels of productivity and it is the responsibility of the employment consultant or job coach to work with the Asperger adult. Often Asperger adults encounter difficulties with poor executive function and more importantly the necessary social skills required to adapt and survive within a work environment. There are many strong points however in that Asperger adults including myself are loyal, conscientious, have strong attention to detail and are reliable. Of course there are many other important and positive attributes that adults bring with them.
In conclusion, I argue that more employment agencies need to be created to assist adults on the Autism Spectrum with employment. I believe this has to happen as soon as possible before positive change can begin. I would encourage you in the meantime to either look at Specialisterne or Autism Works within the links on my blog to be provided important updates on developments which they are implementing.
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