Autism Works: A Guide to Successful Employment across the Entire Spectrum

Description

People with autism are being left behind today, with only 16 per cent in full-time employment. This inspiring book addresses the lack of understanding of the wonderful contributions people across the autism spectrum can make to the workplace, drawing attention to this vast untapped human resource. Employers who create supportive workplaces can enhance their companies by making use of the talents of people with autism while also helping to produce a more inclusive and tolerant society, and people with autism can themselves benefit materially and emotionally from improved employment opportunities. Packed with real-life case studies examining the day-to-day working lives of people across the autism spectrum in a wide variety of careers, this book provides constructive solutions for both employers seeking to improve their workplaces and for individuals with autism considering their employment options. It dispels popular myths about autism, such as that everyone is good at IT, and crucially tackles the potential job opportunities available across the spectrum, including for those who have no language at all. It also highlights the neglected area of gender differences in the workplace and the costs of autistic females’ ability to 'camouflage' their condition. This book is a must-read for parents, employers and adults with autism, and for anyone interested in the present and future of people with autism in the workplace who will benefit from the positive message that employing autistic people is not an act of charity but one that makes sound economic sense. Cover Half Title Title Page Copyright Page Table of contents Acknowledgements Foreword Introduction Self-esteem The ‘autism advantage’ Right across the spectrum The vast untapped resource Demolishing the stereotypes Notes Part I The importance of being employed Chapter 1 The paucity of research Notes Chapter 2 Transitioning from education to work Notes Part II Which job – and why? Chapter 3 Choosing a job – an overview (and a demolition of the stereotypes) Notes Chapter 4 Unpaid work – and internships Internship programmes Project SEARCH Internship programme launched by Deutsche Bank, Autistica and Ambitious About Autism Notes Chapter 5 Self-employment Notes Chapter 6 Matching skills to jobs Jobs for non-verbal individuals with autism Jobs for verbal learners – and those interested in words Acting The legal profession Jobs for auditory learners Jobs for visual learners Jobs for tactile and manual learners Notes Chapter 7 Public service jobs IT, computing and website design Notes Chapter 8 Other job openings The media Banking and accountancy Librarianship Gardening and agriculture Cooking and catering Cleaning jobs Dance Modelling Sports The medical profession The caring professions Non-traditional employment opportunities Notes Part III Applying for a job Chapter 9 Before the interview The CV Making contacts Notes Chapter 10 To disclose or not to disclose? The pros and cons Why disclose? When to disclose? How to disclose? Notes Chapter 11 The interview Preparing for the interview During the interview Notes Chapter 12 Advice to employers Work trials The dangers of stereotypes – and ‘cream-skimming’ Cultural aspects of the interview process New and assistive technology Notes Part IV Holding down a job Chapter 13 Research findings Notes Chapter 14 The ‘hidden curriculum’ of the workplace Being social The social expectations Excessive honesty The hierarchy of the workplace The empathy issue Notes Chapter 15 Sensory issues Notes Chapter 16 Executive dysfunction Time management Memory issues Concentration issues Notes Chapter 17 The importance (and dangers) of literal language in the workplace Notes Chapter 18 Bullying, harassment and discrimination in the workplace Bullying Harassment Discrimination Notes Chapter 19 What employers should know – reasonable adjustments in the workplace Workplace example Support at work Dealing with change Line Managers The ‘work buddy’ Help from the trade unions Notes Chapter 20 Examples of good practice by employers Notes Part V Neurodiversity in the workplace Chapter 21 Embracing difference Notes Chapter 22 Examples of good practice Notes Part VI Gender in the workplace – the costs of camouflage Chapter 23 What the research tells us Notes Chapter 24 The implications for employment Notes Part VII Employment schemes that work in the UK Chapter 25 By way of introduction Notes Chapter 26 Where to go? Auticon AS Mentoring Action for Asperger’s Autism Forward Step Into Work Plus North East Autism Society Autism Plus Specialist Autism Services Evenbreak Autism Oxford Remploy – Marks & Spencer Project Search Access All Areas Heart n Soul Autism Exchange Programme (Ambitious about Autism) Care Trade Mi Life Limited Little Gate Farm Autism Centre for Research on Employment (ACRE) The SPACE Initiative ASPIeRATIONS ASpire Harry Specters The Vault Prior’s Court Bakery SCOTLAND IWork4Me IntoWork Moving Forward NORTHERN IRELAND Specialisterne NI Stepping Stones NI WALES Engage to Change Do-IT Solutions Notes Bibliography Books Documents Articles Index