Comments on: Guest Post: Being Employed With Aspergers Syndrome http://www.aspieteacher.com/2009/09/being-employed-with-aspergers-syndrome/ Mon, 02 Jan 2012 17:30:25 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3 By: WDB http://www.aspieteacher.com/2009/09/being-employed-with-aspergers-syndrome/#comment-1493 WDB Tue, 21 Sep 2010 03:14:47 +0000 http://www.aspieteacher.com/?p=1816#comment-1493 Good review of the employment shop BOAS Specialister and I think teh forward thinking and progressivenss of Denmark is a great model and should be replicated as much as possible, within the government abilities of a state, province or city. I suppose the most challengeing part for North America is getting the state or province to subsidize the other part of that "Flex"-type plan. But there is a reflection of the model in Chicago called AspireTech ( http://www.aspiritech.org/). If find also that being an entrepreneur is better as I can set my own QA, schedule, materials used, system of work, work ethic, and who I get my materials from. I work harder to meet the expectations of the client. Or I try to...although recently I've had to take a step back from those businesses due to new challenges. Good review of the employment shop BOAS Specialister and I think teh forward thinking and progressivenss of Denmark is a great model and should be replicated as much as possible, within the government abilities of a state, province or city.

I suppose the most challengeing part for North America is getting the state or province to subsidize the other part of that “Flex”-type plan.

But there is a reflection of the model in Chicago called AspireTech (
http://www.aspiritech.org/).

If find also that being an entrepreneur is better as I can set my own QA, schedule, materials used, system of work, work ethic, and who I get my materials from. I work harder to meet the expectations of the client. Or I try to…although recently I’ve had to take a step back from those businesses due to new challenges.

]]> By: Karen http://www.aspieteacher.com/2009/09/being-employed-with-aspergers-syndrome/#comment-674 Karen Sat, 06 Feb 2010 23:59:39 +0000 http://www.aspieteacher.com/?p=1816#comment-674 It is inspiring to see progressive companies willing to make special accommodations for those with ASD. I'm glad Michael was able to find the right fit. I wish the same for others as well. As for me (also an Aspie), I grew up in the Silicon Valley of CA and although I fortunately had no problem finding employment in sales & job placement back in the late 80's, early 90's (I interviewed well, LOL), I found it hard to stay consistently challenged and be successful working in the corporate world for others. I knew there was a better fit out there. Ultimately for me, the choice was being an entrepreneur (after a stint with the Ladies Pro Bowlers Tour... another story entirely). It gave me the chance to be my own boss and although I still have daily challenges, I've been able to own my own business and work from home doing online sales (in auction and through my business website) for over 10 years. I realize that being an entrepreneur is not a viable choice for all those with ASD but I do see a lot of those on the spectrum finding happiness and success by finding or creating a position that utilizes their passions and special interests. I would love to be a part of a network for those successfully employed with ASD who can help others. As an Aspie Mom with two ASD boys, 10 and 3, I want them to have opportunities to pursue their passions and special interests and be able to create a career out of such pursuits if they so desire. .-= Karen´s last blog ..<a href="http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/Aspierations-ComeAsYouAreLetYourLightShine/~3/qdlwmgEtIHs/hooray-for-bouncing-hooray-for-big-boy.html" rel="nofollow">HOORAY for Bouncing! Hooray for the Big Boy Bed!</a> =-. It is inspiring to see progressive companies willing to make special accommodations for those with ASD. I’m glad Michael was able to find the right fit. I wish the same for others as well.

As for me (also an Aspie), I grew up in the Silicon Valley of CA and although I fortunately had no problem finding employment in sales & job placement back in the late 80′s, early 90′s (I interviewed well, LOL), I found it hard to stay consistently challenged and be successful working in the corporate world for others. I knew there was a better fit out there.

Ultimately for me, the choice was being an entrepreneur (after a stint with the Ladies Pro Bowlers Tour… another story entirely). It gave me the chance to be my own boss and although I still have daily challenges, I’ve been able to own my own business and work from home doing online sales (in auction and through my business website) for over 10 years.

I realize that being an entrepreneur is not a viable choice for all those with ASD but I do see a lot of those on the spectrum finding happiness and success by finding or creating a position that utilizes their passions and special interests.

I would love to be a part of a network for those successfully employed with ASD who can help others. As an Aspie Mom with two ASD boys, 10 and 3, I want them to have opportunities to pursue their passions and special interests and be able to create a career out of such pursuits if they so desire.
.-= Karen´s last blog ..HOORAY for Bouncing! Hooray for the Big Boy Bed! =-.

]]> By: David N. Andrews M. Ed., C. P. S. E. http://www.aspieteacher.com/2009/09/being-employed-with-aspergers-syndrome/#comment-475 David N. Andrews M. Ed., C. P. S. E. Sun, 18 Oct 2009 07:46:07 +0000 http://www.aspieteacher.com/?p=1816#comment-475 "Michael, please don’t spread negative stereotypes like this. It’s not accurate and leads to discrimination in hiring" ABFH, I can explain why Michael used the statement that he used. The culture in Denmark is very similar to that all over Norden: the medical model reigns supreme, and so everything is seen from the point of view of deficiencies and the need to fix them. It's not that Michael is (at least, consciously) promulgating the negative stereotypes; it's just that there is no other accepted alternative interpretation of what autism is and what being autistic is. Even in the Empowerment Committee in the Swedish Autism Association, the members are not elected by autistic people... and Sweden is seen as the more forward-thinking of the Nordic states. “Michael, please don’t spread negative stereotypes like this. It’s not accurate and leads to discrimination in hiring”

ABFH, I can explain why Michael used the statement that he used. The culture in Denmark is very similar to that all over Norden: the medical model reigns supreme, and so everything is seen from the point of view of deficiencies and the need to fix them. It’s not that Michael is (at least, consciously) promulgating the negative stereotypes; it’s just that there is no other accepted alternative interpretation of what autism is and what being autistic is.

Even in the Empowerment Committee in the Swedish Autism Association, the members are not elected by autistic people… and Sweden is seen as the more forward-thinking of the Nordic states.

]]> By: Asperger syndrome http://www.aspieteacher.com/2009/09/being-employed-with-aspergers-syndrome/#comment-437 Asperger syndrome Mon, 21 Sep 2009 05:04:24 +0000 http://www.aspieteacher.com/?p=1816#comment-437 Asperger syndrome is also known as pervasive developmental disorder. It deemed as a highly functioning type of autism. Some of the symptoms are, difficulty in making eye contact, body stance or gesticulation and facial expressions. Person suffering from it might show extreme aggressiveness. There are some medications and some adopts autism therapy. Asperger syndrome is also known as pervasive developmental disorder. It deemed as a highly functioning type of autism. Some of the symptoms are, difficulty in making eye contact, body stance or gesticulation and facial expressions. Person suffering from it might show extreme aggressiveness. There are some medications and some adopts autism therapy.

]]> By: ike http://www.aspieteacher.com/2009/09/being-employed-with-aspergers-syndrome/#comment-434 ike Sun, 13 Sep 2009 03:17:37 +0000 http://www.aspieteacher.com/?p=1816#comment-434 @fluffycat There's a good deal of science that shows that employees are indeed much more productive when they're happy. Stress quickly and thoroughly kills productivity. That whole "must work well under pressure" thing is complete garbage -- nobody works well under pressure -- some people manage and others don't, but everyone suffers under pressure. Luckily we do have some great examples of companies in the real world that are doing very well with office environments that keep their employees happy and the company benefits quite a lot as a result. You mentioned Google. Gore, who make the gore-tex water-proofing are another good example, but my favorite example is an online retailer called Zappos. :) @fluffycat There’s a good deal of science that shows that employees are indeed much more productive when they’re happy. Stress quickly and thoroughly kills productivity. That whole “must work well under pressure” thing is complete garbage — nobody works well under pressure — some people manage and others don’t, but everyone suffers under pressure.

Luckily we do have some great examples of companies in the real world that are doing very well with office environments that keep their employees happy and the company benefits quite a lot as a result. You mentioned Google. Gore, who make the gore-tex water-proofing are another good example, but my favorite example is an online retailer called Zappos. :)

]]> By: Soph http://www.aspieteacher.com/2009/09/being-employed-with-aspergers-syndrome/#comment-433 Soph Fri, 11 Sep 2009 19:56:40 +0000 http://www.aspieteacher.com/?p=1816#comment-433 I don't recognise stress easily but I'm very serious about not taking time off. It feels against the rules. I don’t recognise stress easily but I’m very serious about not taking time off. It feels against the rules.

]]> By: abfh http://www.aspieteacher.com/2009/09/being-employed-with-aspergers-syndrome/#comment-432 abfh Thu, 10 Sep 2009 16:23:20 +0000 http://www.aspieteacher.com/?p=1816#comment-432 <i>aspies have a lower stress threshold, or we are worse at recognizing the warning signs of stress. This causes us to have a significantly higher number of sick days than most people</i> Michael, please don't spread negative stereotypes like this. It's not accurate and leads to discrimination in hiring. In a <a href="http://jfactivist.typepad.com/jfactivist/2009/08/senator-durbin-speaks-on-ada-disability-employment-and-disability-rights-as-civil-rights.html" rel="nofollow">recent speech</a> urging American employers to hire autistic workers, Sen. Dick Durbin cited a study showing that employees with disabilities actually take fewer days off work than the average worker. That said, however, I do agree that an optimal work environment can greatly increase productivity. -- abfh, who has not taken a sick day in over 10 years and is currently working from home with a head cold. .-= abfh´s last blog ..<a href="http://autisticbfh.blogspot.com/2009/09/susan-moreno-of-maap-cassandra-cult.html" rel="nofollow">Susan Moreno of MAAP, Cassandra Cult Recruiter</a> =-. aspies have a lower stress threshold, or we are worse at recognizing the warning signs of stress. This causes us to have a significantly higher number of sick days than most people

Michael, please don’t spread negative stereotypes like this. It’s not accurate and leads to discrimination in hiring. In a recent speech urging American employers to hire autistic workers, Sen. Dick Durbin cited a study showing that employees with disabilities actually take fewer days off work than the average worker.

That said, however, I do agree that an optimal work environment can greatly increase productivity.

– abfh, who has not taken a sick day in over 10 years and is currently working from home with a head cold.
.-= abfh´s last blog ..Susan Moreno of MAAP, Cassandra Cult Recruiter =-.

]]> By: Clay http://www.aspieteacher.com/2009/09/being-employed-with-aspergers-syndrome/#comment-431 Clay Wed, 09 Sep 2009 17:59:46 +0000 http://www.aspieteacher.com/?p=1816#comment-431 I read somewhere this year that 85% of Aspies are Not employed. Not that they <i>couldn't</i> be employed, just that they're not. Computers didn't exist back when I started out, and I wouldn't have been any good at that anyway. Being married, with 2 kids, I had to do whatever to pay the bills, so I did whatever I could find. I did best with fine detail work, whether Final Finish Foreman at a motor home factory, or repairing tiny knicks and scratches on pianos, or house painting. In those positions, perfection is valued and possible, so that was where my attention to detail was rewarded. I wish there were more programs to benefit autistics, it's much healthier to be able to work and make one's own way through life. Good luck to All who are seeking work, and I hope they find what makes them happiest. .-= Clay´s last blog ..<a href="http://cometscorner-clay.blogspot.com/2009/09/prejudice-plain-and-simple.html" rel="nofollow">Prejudice, plain and simple</a> =-. I read somewhere this year that 85% of Aspies are Not employed. Not that they couldn’t be employed, just that they’re not. Computers didn’t exist back when I started out, and I wouldn’t have been any good at that anyway. Being married, with 2 kids, I had to do whatever to pay the bills, so I did whatever I could find. I did best with fine detail work, whether Final Finish Foreman at a motor home factory, or repairing tiny knicks and scratches on pianos, or house painting. In those positions, perfection is valued and possible, so that was where my attention to detail was rewarded. I wish there were more programs to benefit autistics, it’s much healthier to be able to work and make one’s own way through life. Good luck to All who are seeking work, and I hope they find what makes them happiest.
.-= Clay´s last blog ..Prejudice, plain and simple =-.

]]> By: Sandy http://www.aspieteacher.com/2009/09/being-employed-with-aspergers-syndrome/#comment-428 Sandy Wed, 09 Sep 2009 13:50:03 +0000 http://www.aspieteacher.com/?p=1816#comment-428 I should add that Harvard Business School recently did a case study of Specialisterne for their management program. You can read a synopsis <a href="http://hbswk.hbs.edu/cgi-bin/print?id=5869" rel="nofollow">here</a>. I should add that Harvard Business School recently did a case study of Specialisterne for their management program. You can read a synopsis here.

]]> By: Sue Wong http://www.aspieteacher.com/2009/09/being-employed-with-aspergers-syndrome/#comment-427 Sue Wong Wed, 09 Sep 2009 13:35:07 +0000 http://www.aspieteacher.com/?p=1816#comment-427 Michael's story is proof that people living with autism can do as well if not better than the typical workforce, given the right opportunity and environment. I'm greatly inspired by his journey towards financial independence, largely due to his own initiative. I wish him all the best in his future endeavors and have no doubt that they will be successful. Michael’s story is proof that people living with autism can do as well if not better than the typical workforce, given the right opportunity and environment. I’m greatly inspired by his journey towards financial independence, largely due to his own initiative. I wish him all the best in his future endeavors and have no doubt that they will be successful.

]]>