Autism and WorkDepending on of the degree of autism, the work situation can demand much of autistic people. People with autism are generally very conscientious and want to do their work well. It is, however, very difficult for them to estimate when something is good enough.They can become very uncertain, the result being that they regularly ask if something is well. This can lead to irritations between them and their colleagues and the employer. Another aspect of work is the interaction with colleagues and customers. The degree of development of social skills and the possibility to assess social interaction plays a large role. At work the structure is only partly clear. It is expected that people have insight in work that must be done and that they show initiative to do that work. People with autism frequently overlook things because they cannot be busy with two things at the same time and are easily confused by a quantity of tasks.  Furthermore, it also generally takes them longer to do tasks according to a certain routine. They must continue to concentrate on what must be done for quite a while before the task becomes a habit. The consequence is that they are less flexible, because they must concentrate and because they have to put in a lot of effort to fit in a change in their routine. This also makes it cumbersome to do new things at the same time. To fit in something new, they must carry out new tasks after each other and it takes them longer then necessary to change these new tasks into a business routine. It is advisable to learn only one new task at the same time. In addition to these weaknesses, there are also strengths that need to be mentioned: the effort it takes people with autism to distinguish main issues from side-issues ensures that they have a sharp eye for detail. This talent makes them exceptionally suited for jobs that demand a lot of precision. Being an employer of someone with autism means that you must be willing to be flexible in the organization of your work, in the tasks that must be carried out and in the way tasks are presented. If that succeeds, the person with autism proves to be someone who is precise and conscientious at work, reliable and keeps his promises, someone who has an eye for detail and is well informed on the rules that apply in the company. Finding a paying job does not suit everyone with autism. Autism is an impairment, as a result of which restrictions can arise in several fields of functioning. At work you need skills in different areas such as social contacts, information processing, and planning. Frequently, adaptations in the workplace are necessary. These adaptations mostly concern rest, structure, reducing the stress of high expectations, and reducing unexpected tasks. Inertia in information processing and working more slowly than other people is a problem people with autism will face. The quality of the work done can be very good; the quantity however can vary from less to problematic. Someone with autism in general works very precisely and has an eye for details. For some activities this can be necessary. On the job, giving the person with autism activities to exploit his special qualities can do the trick. The solution to the ‘work problem’ can be finding a suitable job. People with autism often look for jobs in which they can help other people. In this kind of work the appeal for adequate social interaction is eminent. If a nurse enters a hospital room, she must assess within a few seconds which patient needs her attention first. To be able stipulate this, she must use the patient information, the course of the sickness and her general knowledge, the recent events and the picture of the patient now lying in his bed. She must form this mental picture of all the patients in a very short time. People with autism need time to be able make such an assessment. Another aspect of caring professions is that there is much need for cooperation. You must know what your colleague does or what you can expect of him. For people with autism this is an extra difficulty. This continuous moving about between various tasks can lead to problems. Performing administrative work and taking telephone calls at the same time can prove to be a problem. People with autism need more time to return to their original task and thus they make more mistakes if they are interrupted. Adaptations in the nature of the activities can be a solution. It can also be helpful to incorporate less difficult activities in periods the telephone must be answered. To work for someone with autism means a mixture of very positive and cumbersome characteristics and a larger claim on accompaniment by the surroundings. Autism and Work Home, Education, Leisure, Work, Independence & Planning a Future Autism Checklist Autism Books Asperger's Syndrome in Laymens Terms. Aspergers Checklist |