Hi all,
I would like to know (apart from qualifications) how people with Aspergers' can increase their chances of finding work.
I would also like to ask others if they mention that they have Aspergers' before or during an interview, or do most people not disclose this to an employer?
Hi Treaclesandwich,
Just a thought, but have you considered self-employment?
My son has fairly severe learning difficulties with reading, writing and comprehension issues as well as ASD. He couldn't get a job because of this. He's now part-time, self-employed.
This is great in so far as he works part-time to manage his work overload issues, does something he enjoys and doesn't have the issues of working for people who put unecessary pressure on him or who put productivity before an individuals well-being.
It's not for everyone and has it's downsides. My son has support through us, otherwise he would not have the skills to manage alone. Access to work (ATW) were very poor; in fact, I renamed them 'failure to access work.' However, they maybe more supportive of any venture you hope to embark on. Their are also courses for those who want to go self-employed and their maybe a local employment hub near you that runs them. My son attended the same course twice, to help him consolidate what he needed to learn.
You haven't said what it is you do, but I suspect it's something IT. Have a read of the attached link and assess whether you feel it's an option for you.
I too, am a carer and I work part-time, self-employed for the same reasons as my son. I'm an ASPIE and a carer of two on the spectrum. Working part-time allows me the option of fulfilling my care commitments, (I work around care commitments, not the other way around) as well as contributing to society, gleaning job satisfaction and having a life beyond care in my work, that helps make my life more meaningful.
The NHS, have a long established reputation for managing people out and bullying in the workplace. It's of little consolation that the government are putting institutions such as the NHS forward as the ideal options for those with ASD to gain employment. Judging by what I've witnessed in the NHS and their outright poor treatment of ASD workers, it seems much would have to change before the rhetoric became viable realizm.
Without wanting to rely too much on cliche's, people like Richard Branson, Bill gates etc all have learning difficulties of some kind, but have made a success of what they do, by finding the right support and surrounding themselves with enablers. I'm not suggesting you have a learning difficulty, so please don't be offended, but you clearly have some skills and perceptions that could benefit others through your uniqueness.
The small business sector of Britain is considered the backbone of Britains industry. We can't all be Richard Bransons, but the older I get, the more I realize that many with ASD enter Self-employment to circumnavigate the barriers they face to work. Balance is essential for well-being and if it's more that you need good balance rather than sole monetary gain, perhaps it's an option worth considering.
Hope the above suggestion is of some help. Good Luck!
Coogy.
Hi TreacleSandwich,
There isn't enough known about the job finding and job retaining issues for people on the spectrum, despite this Coalition Government being so cocky that we can all work with a nudge.
Two things make it harder to acquire understanding. The research emphasis seems to be on getting people into work who cannot, rather than helping people who can work stay in work. Secondly there is still an attitude that if you are able to hold down a career you don't have autism. I suspect a lot of people on the spectrum who are coping in workplaces aren't included in the 15% claimed by NAS.
My advice would be to try to defuse negatives. By that I mean you have identified previous experience of difficulty (12 years on it has improved a bit), the feeling you've been blacklisted owing to whistleblowing (until you know for sutre, try not to let it worry you, and you do have legal recourse if that sort of thing is going on).
Also do sign on, in order to get the system up and running - should you need to request benefits.
Maths and Computing with 12 years experience iif your NHS work was computing related, are good credentials. But try not to restrict yourself to NHS which is in a mess (Coalition Government again), and not an easy world to find jobs in. There is scope work work in a number of sectors using computing: local authorities, energy companies and other utilities eg water (and their contractors), industry including defence engineering, business systems, education......
Try contacting the relevant Sector Skills Councils (also mucked about by the Coalition Government as part of their apprenticeship scheme but traceable, try FISSS Federation of Industry Skills and Standards). Sector Skills Councils advise on training in different industries, but can also be used to find jobs. There are several that cover computing applications.
Meanwile get legal advice via Citizens Advice Bureau, or a solicitor you know, as you need to follow up on whether you were unlawfully dismissed.
There is a lot of information on the NAS web pages about job seeking. I don't personally agree with some of it, but it may help you to explore the practical suggestions.
Good point there Pandoren, if I could take a liberty and add to it.
Local authorities do take people on for short term projects. Getting seen to be good can often lead to better positions. Civil Service likewise - voluntary posts can get you in. Insecure granted, maybe not well paid, but way of getting some job cred.
Universities do take on short term staff as research assistants, or as library or student services staff.
Likewise health service. Short term opportune jobs are sometimes a good way in. They may lead to you having an option before the post goes to external candidates.
If possible, try volunteering or otherwise helping out at places which may, in the future, employ you or help you gain experience in a situation similar to one which may employ you. This will help you to adapt to working there, gain skills and they will get to know you, rather than being a faceless name. I have been volunteering at an animal rescue for four years now and just been employed as their animal care assistant.
Probably better not to use agencies, as the staff are likely only to be trained for conventional placements, and will probably do something silly with an unusual background.
Get a good CV (curriculum vitae) or several for different job areas, and get advice on how to write them from any contacts you can get (family friend in business or in personnel). Get the best advice you can on setting it out well. This will also help fill in application forms.
Use the web (eg Kompass) to find out about employers before applying. You can get some edge by showing in you application you know about their work, and it also avoids you making futile applications.
If you are providing references tell the people you've named whether or not you are disclosing your AS status. Referees may not be allowed to disclose your disability, so it can be very hard for them if they have to give a low score, or let slip some doubt if asked specifically about social skills or team work. They cannot offer mitigating circumstances. Let referees know about jobs you are applying for and send them the details.
This whole question of disclosure is tricky. The trouble is if you don't disclose and they see something odd at interview, that's a wasted interview potentially, or if you get the job and immediately run into difficulties doing it, not having disclosed could lose you the job. But really employer understanding of autistic spectrum is poor and disclosing could be very tricky.
NAS goes on about providing employers with an assessment of your needs but how practical is that in job applications? I wish NAS would take employment seriously because the website advice doesn't seem to understand the problems.
perhaps our experience may give some incite.
community.autism.org.uk/.../access-work-it-denying-access-work
Coogybear.
