How does a person with Aspergers Syndrome find an employer to take a chance on h!
Question: While the first poster is correct, it's not all that helpful in some cases.
Oddly enough, as an adult with Asperger's Syndrome, I found myself a job via networking in the most unexpected place: on a web forum about autism! I had described what I'd done in the past in enough detail, and had posted enough online otherwise, that the wife of someone in the position that needed someone as a software engineer with my background contacted me; I worked for them for 20 months, before being laid off, because they weren't (as a corporation) making enough money. So, that was actually a case where it was a help. I wasn't diagnosed myself until I was 31, in 2002, because the diagnosis didn't exist in the DSM while I was attending school.
It really depends on the situation as to what works best, but the more you market yourself in a positive manner, preferably where they can get to know something about you before seeing you face-to-face, the better off you'll likely be. Get active in online forums that exist in the field you're looking at, assuming you have any knowledge, and just make yourself known. If it comes to the time for an interview, explain cryptically that you may come off a little odd, perhaps, but to listen to your words, and not your body language/tone of voice, because they are different. An employer that knows what they're doing in regards to the law shouldn't question you too much as to what you mean by that, and that'll setup the reasonable expectation that things may be a little different in your case. Remember, employers can't legally discriminate based on a lot of things, including this, and must instead make other reasons to discriminate between candidates based on qualifications and being able to do the job.
Towards getting qualifications and experience to do the job to help you get a much better chance of full-time employment, one of the most common and best ways to do so is to do the same sort of work on a volunteer basis. This allows an employer or those that may be able to refer you to potential employers to see how well you can do the job, etc. and is also good to put on a resume. When starting any career or changing paths, it's almost always a catch-22 situation, the chicken-or-egg, which is first? You often need experience to get a job doing something, but often unless you've been doing something, you won't be able to get that first job! This solves it in a relatively low-risk method, and if you find out from experience things aren't quite like you expected they'd be (been there, done that, got a college degree to master something that coordination and other medical issues made impossible to do for a living, and got me a boring job to start with) then at least you'll be that much farther ahead in the game. If you're unable to keep up for whatever reason while as a volunteer, it doesn't cause you any problem in your work history, and you can leave it as needed when you figure it out. Hopefully, you're in a financial situation you can afford to work as a volunteer, at least part-time.
Answers: While the first poster is correct, it's not all that helpful in some cases.
Oddly enough, as an adult with Asperger's Syndrome, I found myself a job via networking in the most unexpected place: on a web forum about autism! I had described what I'd done in the past in enough detail, and had posted enough online otherwise, that the wife of someone in the position that needed someone as a software engineer with my background contacted me; I worked for them for 20 months, before being laid off, because they weren't (as a corporation) making enough money. So, that was actually a case where it was a help. I wasn't diagnosed myself until I was 31, in 2002, because the diagnosis didn't exist in the DSM while I was attending school.
It really depends on the situation as to what works best, but the more you market yourself in a positive manner, preferably where they can get to know something about you before seeing you face-to-face, the better off you'll likely be. Get active in online forums that exist in the field you're looking at, assuming you have any knowledge, and just make yourself known. If it comes to the time for an interview, explain cryptically that you may come off a little odd, perhaps, but to listen to your words, and not your body language/tone of voice, because they are different. An employer that knows what they're doing in regards to the law shouldn't question you too much as to what you mean by that, and that'll setup the reasonable expectation that things may be a little different in your case. Remember, employers can't legally discriminate based on a lot of things, including this, and must instead make other reasons to discriminate between candidates based on qualifications and being able to do the job.
Towards getting qualifications and experience to do the job to help you get a much better chance of full-time employment, one of the most common and best ways to do so is to do the same sort of work on a volunteer basis. This allows an employer or those that may be able to refer you to potential employers to see how well you can do the job, etc. and is also good to put on a resume. When starting any career or changing paths, it's almost always a catch-22 situation, the chicken-or-egg, which is first? You often need experience to get a job doing something, but often unless you've been doing something, you won't be able to get that first job! This solves it in a relatively low-risk method, and if you find out from experience things aren't quite like you expected they'd be (been there, done that, got a college degree to master something that coordination and other medical issues made impossible to do for a living, and got me a boring job to start with) then at least you'll be that much farther ahead in the game. If you're unable to keep up for whatever reason while as a volunteer, it doesn't cause you any problem in your work history, and you can leave it as needed when you figure it out. Hopefully, you're in a financial situation you can afford to work as a volunteer, at least part-time.
You do not have to divulge this to your employer.
I'm in the same predicament. It's been tough for me to land a job, given that I'm not good at making eye contact nor good at conversation. I almost always perform poorly at job interviews.
im pretty sure there is a law that prevents companies from giving equal opportunity to everyone, so maybe if u research this a bit you will able to apply for a job a bit differently than other people would so it is fair.
Go out on interviews, learn how to get across the skills you have and how you would benefit the company. Lots of Aspies work. The legs up are volunteering, interning, and school projects/research. It's pretty much the same as for everybody else. You don't have to disclose, so don't unless you believe it's important to do so. If you have a hard time making eye contact, you may want to consider explaining why, but that's a calculated risk.
Good luck!
Many cities, counties and municipalities have free services to help the unemployed find work. They often specialize in helping convicts, people with special needs and unskilled people find jobs - for free!
For instance, in Broward County, FL, our service is called WorkForce1. They do job training, consultatations on how to dress and interview, and get people in contact with employers who are willing to take a chance on 'non-traditional' workers. My girlfriend's company, for example, is one. They are a food service company which currently employs several people through the county who are mentally and physically challenged. Also, the WorkForce1 service allows job seekers of any type to use their fax machines and phones and email from their computers and print resumes while doing job searches at no charge. To find out if your city or region has a similar service, call your city hall or you may even have a free hotline resource that offers that kind of information. For instance, in South Florida, people can call 211 to get information on everything from suicide prevention and drug abuse treatment to job searching and how to become a citizen.
well a boy i babysit have aspergers and as they grow older it does improve... this is a mild form of autism and mostly effects social abilities..so i would look for jobs that do not involve talking and being social. people with aspergers have amazing talents such as photographic memories, reading, math, and sciences. So a job that he can use these skills in would be good. maybe working at a library would be good for him. tell his supervisor about his condition and give him ur phone number.. good luck
He may well do better with a modified diet, because Asperger's is an autistic spectrum disorder: see sections 12, and 21, at http://www.ezy-build.net.nz/~shaneris and eat more in accordance with his "nutritional type", at www.mercola.com SEARCHBAR. Specialist treatment in learning social cues, and to not look someone in the eyes, but focus on the bridge of the nose, for a short time (tell him to count to, say, 3, then look elsewhere, for a count of, say, 17), occasionally, (or risk being considered "shifty", and untrustworthy) then look away, and never stare, (or they may be considered as being aggressive) may be helpful. I suggest that he begins by volunteering from home, at first: sections 47, and 38, at ezy-build refer. Then, once the work habit is instilled, some volunteering at a suitable place, outside the home, for just an hour, or two, at first: more later. A social worker can then use the references provided as a result of volunteering to advocate for his employment with an understanding employer, who is just looking for a good worker. Social workers also have many contacts, and suggestions: contact one through your doctor, hospital, or community services dept., soon.
I work with kids and adults who are diagnosed with ASD. They are quite functioning with out a lot of assitance from others. I would call the dept. of mental health and speak with someone regarding job placement. Not sure of the number but each state has an office. If that doesnt work Im sure the doctor who diagnosed this man will be able to give the mom a list of resources such as support groups and other helping agencies that can help this mom get her son in the right direction. Also, grocery stores are always looking for baggers, stockers etc. Our students work at soda corporations and also in a library cleaning and stocking shelves. Hope this helps!