Published on 12, July, 2020
DWP are going to be targetting those with Autism and Aspergers, among other hidden disabilities, to undergo Psychotherapeutic interventions. It is very likely that those refusing to participate will have their benefits sanctioned, as they will be considered to be not taking active steps towards seeking employment.
"The aim of the provision is to provide in depth support to assist claimants focus their minds on the activities and behaviours required to obtain and sustain employment. The claimants, who are in receipt of either Jobseekers Allowance (JSA) or Employment Support Allowance (ESA) will receive a highly personalised, individual, realistic, learning and employability programme, which is structured, focused and tailored to each claimant’s specific needs. This will include tackling complex barriers, as well as worklessness, motivation, interaction, anxiety concerns, and concentration issues."
https://www.contractsfinder.businesslink.gov.uk/Common/View%20Notice.aspx?NoticeId=1702143
I myself have Aspergers and a First Class Honours Degree in Psychology. Despite my difficulties and concerted effort in seeking work, I only managed to secure my first job aged 32. It always came down to the fact that I was unable to do as well as others in interviews and compete against those without my difficulties. Making employers aware of Aspergers in aplication forms never helped. I only successfully secured a job when an employer was willing to offer unpaid work experience and judge me based on my work performance, rather than interview performance - I had infact just failed to get through an interview at the same employer.
I know the problem is not with people with the types of difficulties described. The problem is employers who are unwilling to see beyond these differences. I welcome any efforts to help people into work. However, I am appalled that this approach blames people for difficulties they never chose to have. Efforts should be directed at employers themselves.
It would be nice to see an official line on this issue from NAS at some point, but I accept this can only be done once all is known. Will try research this issue more later and update this post if necessary.
It so distresses me that NAS cannot see that they are acting irresponsibly. NAS seem to think that by making these claims it will get people with autism into employment. All it does is annoy employers who cannot see any evidence for these claims.
To get back to anewman's original posting, he is concerned with this "highly personalised, individual, realistic, learning and employability programme" that he is supposed to get from JSA and ESA staff. It isn't helpful, perhaps because it is based on mis-information about the difficulties faced by people on the autistic spectrum.
Freud's statement in 2012 probably represents the DWP's understanding of autism and the problems faced in the workplace. So is this picture helping people like anewman?
"reliable, punctual and loyal" - is that strictly accurate? Well punctual is a debateable issue for many of us. Reliable in what sense? If we cannot understand instructions and get things wrong, is that being reliable? And where does this loyalty thing come from? - I think I know, but it is a crude oversimplification of complex behavioural issues that don't follow for everyone.
good attention to detail - just because someone gets very focussed at their special interest doesn't translate into every aspect of a job. Sometimes people on the spectrum perceive a task as pointless, and choose to ignore it.
concentration levels - in certain contexts yes, but again, is that going to be uiniversally manifested on the job? I doubt it.
excellent problem solving skills - I'd agree (it is how I maintained a career - I'm brilliant at this). This has been demonstrated many times, but by people at the abler end (the ones NAS doesn't count as really having autism). When people are overly focussed on narrow special interests and have poor central coherence and organising skills, how does that translate into "excellent problem solving skills" in the workplace?
analytical - as above, but again, across a job, as distinct from special interests?
resourceful and creative - usually people on the spectrum don't have these qualities
Where did Freud get this from? I suspect it came from NAS, directly or indirectly.
It isn't doing people on the spectrum any good making up bogus work aptitudes. Employers can see there is more to it, and it doesn't work out in practice NAS needs to start acting responsibly.
It particularly worries me that these training packages, the content of which we can only find out by paying £250 and going on one of them, are based around these ridiculous and far fetched claims.