The careers for autistic adults are not a tough task now. Yes, It may not be easy to build a bright career for every autistic person but huge options are available. A person with autism can live independently in all the terms of an adult. However, not all autistic achieve the same level of independence. The focus of caretakers/parents should be to help autistic people achieve their highest possible level of independence.
As we know that autism is variable (symptoms are different in each person), and treatment plans should be customized to their passions, interests, and skill sets.
Autism and Employment:
Autism and employment are no more a point of discussion now. Primarily, parents need to understand that a diagnosis of autism does not mean that the person will not be able to accept challenges, date, make friends, get learning, get married, become a parent, or have a bright career. People with ASD are able to do these things. and we have thousands of success stories that are enjoying their life independently across the world.
if someone is taking an ASD diagnosis that means the person will progress differently than people without ASD.
How to create the best careers for autistic adults:
1. Self-help and determination skills: To Make Careers for Autistic Adults
Self-help work like a readymade tool and determination work as the ability of individuals with ASD. These two make them aware of themselves emotionally, and physically. And create and attain their goals in the future. Give them a new understanding of their personal strengths and weaknesses, which will help in their development and ability to live independently.
2. Functioning and Communication Skills: To Make Careers for Autistic Adults
It is necessary to live independently that they must be able to express feelings, and desires and speak up about concerns whom they are interacting with. You need to provide a set of skills that they can use to live and build meaningful relationships. like strong and lasting friendships skills, and effective communication with employers or employees.
3. Behavior Skills: To Make Careers for Autistic Adults
Rude behavior is stop anyone to live independently. Jobs for people with Asperger’s are difficult with behavior problems. Work on skills to acknowledge and manage their emotions smoothly and consistently. It is necessary to teach coping skills while having communication training.
Give them a data-driven and science-backed Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) therapy to control and move beyond disruptive and aggressive behaviors. It will help them to avoid self-injurious actions, and distress so they can enjoy a higher quality of life.
4. Personal Care and routine activities skills: To Make Careers for Autistic Adults
People with ASD faced issues performing routine work and they remain less careful about themselves. it is important to get to know about personal and home-related tasks for them such as:
- How to Dress and undress
- Choosing apparel for weather and event
- Personal hygiene practices, such as shaving, brushing hair, shaving, applying makeup, menstrual care, and other daily activities.
- Washing and wearing clothes
- Preparing meals (if need)
- Housekeeping
Personal care practices are connected to the job. if someone is not following the basics things it may lead to job exclusion as well. they must teach to perform these daily tasks without help. Ask your therapist to work on these tasks.
Download Personal Care Checklist: Click Here
5. Job-oriented training and skills: To Make Careers for Autistic Adults
Provide job-oriented training and skill according to the passion and interest of the autistic. It will help them to find a job. the caretaker need to identify the interest, passion, and strengths then decide on a goal and work toward the targeted goal from an early age. this action might help an autistic to get a job easily and come out of dependency.
6. Teach Money Management: To Make Careers for Autistic Adults
It is an important part of life to secure yourself with finances. People with autism must teach how to secure, and expand operate their finances. In order to secure their financial future the autistic need to learn how to manage a bank account, use credit and debit cards, do online shopping, and check balances.
Jobs For Autistic People: A Preparation for the Next Step To Make Careers for Autistic Adults
Jobs for autistic people and Changes in autistic life come with distinctive challenges and struggles, including their transformation from childhood to adulthood. But it’s important to know that everyone with autism differs not only in terms of symptoms but also in terms of how they are able to live in adulthood.
But many people with autism do jobs and obtain degrees and diplomas, becoming renowned celebrities. they are able to work in different sectors and segments across the globe, particularly with high-functioning autism. In some countries some colleges and universities have dedicated programs and services developed for autistic people and some institutions can provide resources or make accommodations for people with autism and promote autism awareness.
one of the live examples is the Americans Disabilities Act applies to people with autism, There are also numerous special programs, scholarship programs, and informational guides for autistic that address basic needs. (1)
And you can take school guidance counselors, school aides, healthcare providers, and other clinicians to help manage the next step in the transition from childhood into adulthood. (2)
Jobs for Autistic Adults: Hold Jobs and Enter the Workforce
jobs for autistic adults create issues while entering the workforce and can pose many difficulties, like struggles with employers and the ability to handle tasks that fall beyond their comfortable routines, and habits. Research shows the unemployment rate for people who have disabilities is increasing(3)
Some resources that help to find jobs for autistic adults or guide them to make careers for autistic adults and succeed in jobs that are appropriate for them include:
- Your state’s vocational rehabilitation agency (4)
- The National Collaborative on Workforce Disability for Youth (5)
- The U.S. Department of Labor’s Office of Disability Employment Policy (ODEP) (6)
- Career One Stop (7)
Legal rights of autistic adults: To help in making Careers for Autistic Adults
To know the legal rights of autistic adults, The Americans with Disabilities Act legally protects people with autism (or any disability) against discrimination in employment, education, transportation, and other public accommodations. (15) The legislation has many applications for people with autism.
The ADA told that an employer needs to provide reasonable accommodations to an employee with any kind of disability unless they would endanger. The law also ensures publicly-funded housing opportunities for people with autism. (8)
autistic people are eligible to receive Medicaid benefits (as per state law). Services may assist to pay for long-term healthcare costs, and other basic living needs as well. and there are some eligibility criteria for Social Security benefits, too.
Conclusion:
So finally, I can say that an autistic can have a good job. he may live independently. it’s important to know that an autism diagnosis is always up to you. And we know every scenario has its pros and cons informing about your disability. It may be possible that you may feel stigmatized if you tell others about a disability, but disclosing a disability to your employer isn’t legally obligated but it will help you to work comfortably and take your rights easily.
References:
- Cope R, et al. (2021). The strengths and abilities of autistic people in the workplace.
liebertpub.com/doi/epdf/10.1089/aut.2021.0037 - About. Autism at Work.
- The Costs and Benefits of Employing an Adult With Autism Spectrum Disorder: A Systematic Review. (October 2015). PLoS One.
- Trajectories of Autism Severity in Early Childhood. (March 2014). Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders.
- Job Seekers With Autism. Autism Speaks.
- Choosing the Right Job for People With Autism or Asperger’s Syndrome. Indiana Resource Center for Autism.
- Autism at Work: Encouraging Neurodiversity in the Workplace. (October 2019). SAP.
- Dreaver J, et al. (2019). Success factors enabling employment for adults on the autism spectrum from employers’ perspective.
link.springer.com/article/10.1007%2Fs10803-019-03923-3 - Benefits of Hiring People With Autism. (July 2015). International Board of Credentialing and Continuing Education Standards.
- Advice About Work. National Autistic Society.