However, this will be my last post. Jobs4Autism.com is a nonprofit website and our supporters are no longer able to keep it operating.

Although I feel our site provided a much-needed service in the autism community, I know there are so many others out there fighting for awareness and solutions to the problem of employment for adults on the spectrum. Please give them your support.

Thank you for the support you gave Jobs4Autism, for helping to spread the word about us.  I wish the best of luck in whatever hurdles you face. Don’t give up! Keep asking for help and keep helping others by sharing your stories in some way, even if it’s not here.

Our Facebook page will remain open as a resource for sharing and learning. If you’re not a member already, please join at http://www.facebook.com/groups/Jobs4Autism/

Best wishes and thanks again!

Barbara

Now Garry has written a book about the challenges and difficulties he faced growing up, attending college and finding employment so that others can learn from his experience. I Want to Work – an Asperger Story relates Garry’s story, includes a foreword by Dr. Attwood, and offers strategies to help adults on the spectrum find employment.

Topics include:

• Leaving school and finding a career path
• Dealing with disclosure of an Autism Spectrum diagnosis
• Finding employment support
• Training managers to be more aware of Autism in the workplace
• How to overcome bullying and discrimination
• Employers who specifically employ adults on the Autism Spectrum

“My transition into employment was not an easy process.  My first real job was working casually in a Brisbane supermarket but not really being well understood and I was dismissed for no reason.  I know some people work in supermarkets and are able to survive in them but for me, the experience was not much fun.  I experienced some bullying and intimidation while working in them as well as being under ineffective managers.  My first real job was in 1999, just after I graduated from the University of New England.  As I was diagnosed with Asperger Syndrome in 1998 by Dr Tony Attwood, I joined a disability employment agency and was successful in being placed into the Queensland Parliamentary Library.  I really enjoyed my time here as I could feel like a human being and was valued in the job I carried out.  I was under a supportive supervisor who knew of my strengths and having worked hard within the Queensland Parliamentary Library, I was offered a further 4 months to work within it.

After I completed my placement at the Queensland Parliamentary Library, I then went through the musical chairs process of finding a disability employment agency which I hoped would assist me in finding employment.  After repeated attempts I find the right one and submitting employment applications, I was to land employment in a state government department.  It was here that I worked for 12 months in a traineeship and I successfully completed a Certificate III in Business and Office Administration.  It was after I completed this qualification that I went to the United Kingdom.  Despite trying to obtain employment, nothing was available so I thought I would make use of the time and go to the United Kingdom.

Upon my return in 2001, from a four week holiday, I was to find the search for employment difficult.  I did not know whether or not I should reveal my diagnosis of Asperger Syndrome to prospective employers.  Added to this, I just was disability employment agency hopping as I just could not find an employment consultant who could assist me in successfully being placed into employment.  I undertook volunteer work, I submitted job application after job application but found my attempts unsuccessful and my time totally wasted.  One of my more successful work experience attempts was working in the library of a Brisbane private school.  It was here that I worked for 12 months as a volunteer. Despite my knowing and the vague promise of me obtaining a position in the middle school library, I was to later find my application unsuccessful. Despite this, I was also contacting the school myself instead of the disability employment consultant.  I then had a breakdown and it took me a few months to join the disability employment agency bandwagon again.  I worked part time after perseverance and finding a helpful employment consultant with a disability service provider.  It was with success that I found then another supportive disability employment consultant who assisted me in obtaining my current position within the University of Queensland Library.  Within this position I mainly shelve and sort library items and ensure they are shelved in accordance with the Library of Congress (American Classification System).  I am also involved in some other library duties where required.”

Garry’s website is full of information, links to resources and advice, including “Strategies in finding employment for adults on the Autism Spectrum”  (Click HERE to read.)

For information on how to purchase his book, click HERE.

In 1975 members of the Autism Society of Los Angeles established Jay Nolan Community Services, Inc. (JNCS), a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization, providing care for people with autism and other disabilities in group settings.

But in 1992, JNCS  closed their group homes. In their place, they began providing individualized support to people, helping them  live in their own homes, have jobs, and participate in other community activities.

Today, the mission of JNCS is to enable individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder and other Developmental Disabilities to live fulfilling lives as members of the community by providing support services customized to their individual needs.

The leading provider of personalized support services in California,  most of its clients are concentrated in Southern California, particularly Los Angeles, Santa Clara and surrounding counties.

What do they do? They offer…

Supported Employment and Personalized Day Support programs (meant to be a compliment to employment, not a substitute.)  ”Personalized Day Support would provide services around the hours of employment and then assist the person to find volunteer work, attend school, and considering opening up their own business.”

Customized services and tools for each individual, including training and companionship.

Professional webinars and training across a wide spectrum of issues to help people with autism and other disabilities achieve their life goals.

Family support services, geared toward providing the assistance that a family may need, or desire in order to ensure that the family remains together.

For more information about Jay Nolan Community Services, Inc., visit their website: http://jaynolan.org

Besides their many children’s programs, they also offer many individualized programs for adults, including a new, integrated work and community inclusion program.

With a primary goal of promoting independence in their clients…

• HOPe completes an in-depth profile of the individual to determine preferences and appropriateness of placement.
• Clients are provided with career options and assistance in defining recommended job goals.
• Our staff helps the individual with specific training to be able to perform the job consistently and effectively.
• HOPe’s staff continues individual support through job interviewing, procurement and on-site job supervision until our client is satisfactorily confident in his/her position.

Thumbnail photo from their site.

Groups are now forming in the greater Boston, Massachusetts area.  It will run for 10 consecutive Mondays from October 3 to December 5, and take place at the NESCA offices at 55 Chapel Street in Newton.

Group meetings provide detailed, step-by-step instruction on everything from career research to resume writing, networking and interviewing. Weekly assignments build skills and confidence, and offer hands on experience with resume writing, networking, interviewing and more. Individual check-ins provide personalized assistance and support throughout the program.

Topics include: decoding the language of job postings; networking; overcoming telephone phobia; thinking like an employer; marketing yourself without lying; disclosure and accommodations; and staying motivated.

A comprehensive section on interviewing explains how to navigate a job interview, answer common questions, discuss salary, convey enthusiasm, and more.

Three books, assessments, worksheets, articles, a written resume critique and checklists are included. Group size is limited to 8 to ensure full participation by all. The material is geared to individuals who are seeking competitive (not sheltered or supported) employment.

Please pass this information on to individuals who are struggling to find employment.  A description of the program, downloadable brochure and registration form are on the Forward Motion Coaching Web site: www.forwardmotion.info/collcareer.html

Thumbnail image from http://www.ecenglish.com