The U.S. national Labor Day holiday brings so many things to mind. For persons with autism, joining the ‘labor force’ can be a struggle because often one’s inabilities become the focus, rather than their wonderful abilities.
An ASD ‘work program’ I’ve recently observed failed miserably, due to the employer and employees seeing only skills that were ‘missing’. Instead of readjusting the job requirements to focus on the person’s successes and abilities, the consensus was that he couldn’t ‘pull his load’. He was too much of a burden on others sharing his shift.
True, ‘transitioning’ and ‘prioritizing’ were difficult for him; but not impossible. What he needed was a daily, hour-by-hour ‘visual schedule’ to follow. Relying on numerous verbal commands each day from various people was too confusing. While the ‘job coach’ explained to him how he successfully met various goals; management focused was on ‘what’ and ‘where’ he failed. Management thought he couldn’t sustain employment. Apparently, there was little room for ‘adaptation’ or ‘compassion’ for him.
It is hard to know how this young man felt; or, how anyone could understand the employer’s decision. Unfortunately, that potential employer will never know what they have lost. They’ve lost the opportunity to have a loyal, happy worker who would show up, eager to please, every day.
See more about ASD employment and careers in FREE ASD BOOK, Know Autism, Know Your Child with < My Thoughts > by Sara Luker. Menu: UNIT 6 - Older ASD Adult; College and Careers.
An ASD ‘work program’ I’ve recently observed failed miserably, due to the employer and employees seeing only skills that were ‘missing’. Instead of readjusting the job requirements to focus on the person’s successes and abilities, the consensus was that he couldn’t ‘pull his load’. He was too much of a burden on others sharing his shift.
True, ‘transitioning’ and ‘prioritizing’ were difficult for him; but not impossible. What he needed was a daily, hour-by-hour ‘visual schedule’ to follow. Relying on numerous verbal commands each day from various people was too confusing. While the ‘job coach’ explained to him how he successfully met various goals; management focused was on ‘what’ and ‘where’ he failed. Management thought he couldn’t sustain employment. Apparently, there was little room for ‘adaptation’ or ‘compassion’ for him.
It is hard to know how this young man felt; or, how anyone could understand the employer’s decision. Unfortunately, that potential employer will never know what they have lost. They’ve lost the opportunity to have a loyal, happy worker who would show up, eager to please, every day.
See more about ASD employment and careers in FREE ASD BOOK, Know Autism, Know Your Child with < My Thoughts > by Sara Luker. Menu: UNIT 6 - Older ASD Adult; College and Careers.
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