How can we provide sustainable employment for ASD individuals?

Granted, spadger, you have a parent's perspective with two sons of transition age starting in the workplace. I was a bit worried though by your second paragraph. Lots of people have bad experiences of work (this country loses massive revenue owing to a faluire to make an effort to improve the working environment).

The bad experiences faced by many on the spectrum and explained by Wolfbear are really important if you propose to research getting people into work.

The attitude of people in a work environment to anyone "different" is shocking. But because unions tend to turn bullying and stress into something down to management, management goes on the defensive instead of tackling the issues that need to be tackled.

Because of the disadvantages faced by people on the spectrum, the work environment is particularly onerous and demoralising. It isn't simply about giving people on the spectrum opportunities, its about providing environments in which they can work.

As someone who has followed several career paths in industry and education my progression has been in no sense easy. The big problem for me is fitting in. I don't think I do anything particularly to deserve it, but I am different. And you always get some colleagues who make it a mission to get rid of the odd ball. They can do it very subtly by undermining your confidence, moving you from one task to another, alleging you aren't up to the job, and complaining about how you relate to people. In my experience, when matters came to a head, none of my accusers could produce any concrete evidence, but nevertheless the disruption and anxiety caused by these disruptions, as they evolved, damaged my career.  You only have to watch "The Office" to see how adverse such environments can be for anyone considered nerdy or uptight.

The next thing is teamwork. People on the spectrum are not designed to flourish in teamwork situations. But I'm afraid the days of the boffin beavering away in a little room are far in the past. Most work environments are team environments. They have to be to bring to the table a sufficient range of experience, skill and knowledge for any single objective. We don't tend to have jobs now that one person can do all on their own.

Deputising is difficult if you cannot understand people and how they interface, so management is seldom an option. You can read about this in Johnson M (2005) Managing with Asperger Syndrome (Jessica Kingsley Publishers). This described management in a marketing and sales environment for someone with aspergers.

Working with people in a service sector can also be difficult. Poor eye contact, difficulties following what people are explaining, and sustaining attention are all factors.

I don't dispraise your efforts as a parent in exploring the world of work, not only to help your sons but to help others on the spectrum. However I would ask you to respect the experiences of people on the spectrum trying to survive in the world of work. Mostly for the mere crime of not being able to socially integrate many of us are prevented from putting our talents to work and earning enough to live on.

You need to read about other people's experiences first, to get a grasp of the problems.

Granted, spadger, you have a parent's perspective with two sons of transition age starting in the workplace. I was a bit worried though by your second paragraph. Lots of people have bad experiences of work (this country loses massive revenue owing to a faluire to make an effort to improve the working environment).

The bad experiences faced by many on the spectrum and explained by Wolfbear are really important if you propose to research getting people into work.

The attitude of people in a work environment to anyone "different" is shocking. But because unions tend to turn bullying and stress into something down to management, management goes on the defensive instead of tackling the issues that need to be tackled.

Because of the disadvantages faced by people on the spectrum, the work environment is particularly onerous and demoralising. It isn't simply about giving people on the spectrum opportunities, its about providing environments in which they can work.

As someone who has followed several career paths in industry and education my progression has been in no sense easy. The big problem for me is fitting in. I don't think I do anything particularly to deserve it, but I am different. And you always get some colleagues who make it a mission to get rid of the odd ball. They can do it very subtly by undermining your confidence, moving you from one task to another, alleging you aren't up to the job, and complaining about how you relate to people. In my experience, when matters came to a head, none of my accusers could produce any concrete evidence, but nevertheless the disruption and anxiety caused by these disruptions, as they evolved, damaged my career.  You only have to watch "The Office" to see how adverse such environments can be for anyone considered nerdy or uptight.

The next thing is teamwork. People on the spectrum are not designed to flourish in teamwork situations. But I'm afraid the days of the boffin beavering away in a little room are far in the past. Most work environments are team environments. They have to be to bring to the table a sufficient range of experience, skill and knowledge for any single objective. We don't tend to have jobs now that one person can do all on their own.

Deputising is difficult if you cannot understand people and how they interface, so management is seldom an option. You can read about this in Johnson M (2005) Managing with Asperger Syndrome (Jessica Kingsley Publishers). This described management in a marketing and sales environment for someone with aspergers.

Working with people in a service sector can also be difficult. Poor eye contact, difficulties following what people are explaining, and sustaining attention are all factors.

I don't dispraise your efforts as a parent in exploring the world of work, not only to help your sons but to help others on the spectrum. However I would ask you to respect the experiences of people on the spectrum trying to survive in the world of work. Mostly for the mere crime of not being able to socially integrate many of us are prevented from putting our talents to work and earning enough to live on.

You need to read about other people's experiences first, to get a grasp of the problems.