Challenges in Transitioning from School to Workplace for Adolescents with Asperger Syndrome

1. The Challenges involved in moving from school into the workplace Presenter - Garry Burge 5thNovember 2010 “Almost always, the creative dedicated minority has made the world better”. Martin Luther King Jr

2. The difficulties for adolescents with Asperger Syndrome in School • You are from another planet • You don’t know the rules • You are misunderstood • Your strengths and abilitiesare over looked • You may not have a conventional or • have a clear career path or receive • support within the schooling socialisation process

3. What is needed in school to help make the transition to employment easier • A focus on the adolescent’s special interest. • The school to nurture the adolescent's special interest and to make modifications where necessary to assist with mainstreaming learning. • Assistance from Teachers and or Parent’s to ensure proper support in terms of special interest. • The presence of an authority figure to safeguard against bullying and intimidation. • Long term career goals and a means of meeting expectations.

4. The future is uncertain and I need some guidance “For a person with Asperger Syndrome just looking ahead can be difficult as the world is an overwhelming place.”

5. Adolescents with Asperger Syndrome Why is it important in school to have early intervention and guidance in terms of transition into future employment? • A person with Asperger syndrome may focus too much on a special interest and not know of employment opportunities available after completing school • Being socially isolated and experiencing a sense of alienation may also create difficulty in terms of team work requirements • Exposure to bullying and intimidation may cause low self esteem and a sense of vulnerability in adulthood.

6. How school and employment are similar High School Employment • Support is required in terms of sensory issues • An understanding of hierarchy and the need for authority figures to safeguard against difficult issues • Nurturing of a career path in relation to special interest. • Training of Managers to ensure necessary workplace assistance and awareness • Disability Employment Agencies required to ensure on the job support • The issues of dealing with Teamwork skills and making modifications where necessary

7. Challenges to finding employment? For adolescents moving into employment the following difficulties can occur. • A lack of a conventional career path • Lack of job agencies to provide support • They are not able to read body language and understand important visual queues • Anxiety (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!

8. Hurdles for Adults with Asperger Syndrome at work • A 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 Am I going to be able to get somewhere in my life!?!

9. For Adults within employment it is difficult to obtain career development • Lacking social skills they can be placed into routine, base grade, positions • Opportunity to demonstrate and develop their more valuable skills is rarely presented • Most adults are overlooked for promotion • Limited on the job support from employment agencies I hope I am doing my job right? Why do I never seem to be promoted?

10. Thinking and acting differently Just thinking and acting differently makes it hard for an adult with Asperger syndrome to find tolerance and support within a work environment

11. Everyday stumbling blocks at work • An 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

12. Bullying and Exploitation • Bullying and exploitation is a serious a problem during the lifetime of a person with Asperger syndrome • Most adults with Asperger syndrome have suffer 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

13. Remember... ...a person with Asperger Syndrome needs time to demonstrate their skills and abilities A person with Asperger syndrome can feel anxious, have difficulty with multi tasking and demonstrating their strengths and abilities

14. Communication Support Once 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

15. 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

16. Employment Consultants needed to ensure: Person with Asperger Syndrome Management • Responsibility in the workplace • Tea breaks, lunch room and start and finish times • Important procedures within employment • Whom 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 are • Person’s awareness • Person’s requirements

17. Manager and Supervisory roles

18. Garry Burge Service Support Assistant University of Queensland Social Sciences Library University of Queensland, St Lucia, Brisbane Comepass Success Garry, who has Asperger 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 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 http://www.library.uq.edu.au/links/links656.pdf#page=5

19. Just give me a chance to think and utilize my knowledge and intelligence 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 http://www.youtube.com/watch#!v=4FwKBLotQRc&feature=related

20. About Specialist People Foundation Specialist 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. Visit at http://specialisterne.com/ http://www.autismworks.co.uk/home/contact-us

21. Workplaces fail the anxious – Courier Mail 27th September 2010 Garry Burge adult with Asperger syndrome talks about the difficulties for adults with Asperger syndrome in finding employment and how employment support agencies are needed with the transition into employment.

22. 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 1980’s television show excerpt illustrating how not being aware of, or misreading, social conventions, leads to things going wronghttp://www.youtube.com/watch#!v=KclJrJYtyVo&feature=related

23. In Summary what has helped me in the transition from school into employment. • Having supportive parents has helped me through times of difficult • Persevering, remaining strong and not giving up despite how difficult it can be at times. • Finding an employment agency after a lot of hard work that placed me into temporary or permanent employment posts • Having supportive managers who try and ensure a workplace is conducive to my needs. • Finding positive solutions in times of despair. Genius is 1 percent inspiration ninety nine percent perspiration – Thomas Alva Edison – American Inventor (1847 – 1931)

24. How to contact Garry Burge • Garry Burge’s blog also 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 & Autism Works. Please show your support by joining Autism Works on Facebook. • http://www.chrismitchell.org.uk/ • http://www.autismworks.co.uk/ • http://www.facebook.com/AutismWorksUK “Me need to think more!”