Hi there –

Welcome to this week’s blog post which is all about Aspergers and employment.

Also a quick note to let you know that I am just putting the finishing touches to my latest ebook “A Parents Guide to Emotions and Communication in Children with Aspergers” which will be available some time in the next 7 days for all members at http://www.ParentingAspergersCommunity.com

Here’s this week’s article –

Question

I want to help my son with Aspergers to get employment in the field that he does well at, but there is no one out there who will give him a chance-Help!

Answer

The job market can seem like a cold, cruel place.  So many people are competing for a hand full of jobs, hoping to break into their field of interest.  It truly is a rat race.  There are things you can do to help your son find his place in the battlefield of employment.

You’ve already given him a good start by encouraging him to find a career that is focused on one of his interests.  People with Asperger’s Syndrome can have very strong obsessions.  The amount of attention your son places on his obsessions guarantee that he will be extremely knowledgeable in that area.  Not only that, the personal involvement makes him intensely happy.

“Developing Talents:  Careers for Individuals with Asperger’s Syndrome and High-Functioning Autism-Updated and Expanded Edition” by Temple Grandin and Kate Duffy is an excellent resource to use while planning to help your son find the perfect opportunity.  This is a thorough account on employment prospects and opportunities available for people with Asperger’s.

An internship is a good way to get a foot in the door of a possible employer.  Many companies that are under hiring freeze still have work that another person could be doing.  By offering time as an intern, your son could receive valuable on-the-job training in his field of interest.  It’s true that he wouldn’t be a paid employee, but once that hiring freeze is lifted, he’ll be first in line for the job.

Volunteering is another option. Although not as structured, volunteering is similar to an internship, meaning no pay.  Volunteer opportunities can be found in every community.  They may not be directly related to his field of interest, but he could learn how to be a good employee in many different situations.  Not to mention, the volunteer hours will look really good on his resume.

Do not discredit the idea of your son accepting a job unrelated to his area of interest.  Sometimes you have to work up a little bit to that preferred position.   A company that does business in his area of interest may have openings in another department.  Lateral moves happen all the time.  And if it doesn’t, he will have solid work experience to add to his resume when he’s ready to make the jump into his desired field.

Finding employment based on your son’s interest will assure a successful and enjoyable career.  These tips and suggestions should get you started building your son’s resume and enabling him to secure the job of his dreams.

Thanks for reading,

Dave Angel

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Hi there,

Welcome to this week’s blog post which cover Aspergers, The Future and an apology!

First up the apology … I somehow messed up the link yesterday to discover more about Craig Kendall’s excellent book “The Aspergers Syndrome Survival Guide”.

If you’re interested then Click This Link Now

Now on to the article which looks at the following question:–

Question

I am worried about the future and keeping in touch with my grown son with Asperger’s now that he has left.  Any advice for me?

Answer

People with Asperger’s Syndrome usually have problems building and maintaining solid, long-lasting relationships.  However, they can and do form bonds with a select few.  Their parents are likely to make the list of permanent contacts.  Your son may be grown and out of the house, but you weigh heavily on his mind.  You were there for every special occasion, creating memories that burn brightly in his highly intelligent mind. 
 
The point that bothers you is probably his inconsistent contact.  Isolation is a common issue in people with Asperger’s Syndrome.  Your son’s core nature is to be alone.  He is more comfortable living among his things and obsessions than he is with people, even his own parents.  It’s not intentional.  This is one of those areas in which you will have to take control. 

Be honest with your son.  Tell him that, unlike him, you do not have Asperger’s Syndrome.  You need the conversation and company that he is so willing to avoid.  As his parent you have to maintain contact.  It’s your job to think about him and worry about him, no matter how old he is.

Perhaps you could make a calendar schedule for him.  On the calendar, you could fill in the dates that you’d like to hear from him by telephone and dates for actual face-to-face visits.  With the calendar, your son will have a visual timetable in which to refer.   Make sure you give him a little space; he is an adult.  As his parent, a daily visit or phone call would be perfect.  As the adult child, he’s probably thinking a couple of calls a week and maybe a visit.

Make plans to visit his home regularly.  Not daily, maybe bi-weekly, but definite monthly visits should be tolerable.  You’ll need to assure yourself that he is taking care of his household chores, his body, his health and wellness, his bills, and any other areas of his life. 

Letting go of control is difficult for most parents.  Your son’s needs make it that much harder for you.  You can take comfort in the fact that you have raised your son to be the best he can be.  Try not to worry; concentrate on his happiness and success.  He may not say it, but he’ll be thankful for your involvement in his own way.

Thanks

Dave Angel

PS I would highly recommend visiting Craig Kendall’s “Aspergers Syndrome Survival Guide” website today if you haven’t already then Click Here Now to do so.

Hello and welcome to this week’s Aspergers blog post which looks at gaining life skills. Here’s the article:

Question

How do I help my son with Aspergers to gain the appropriate life skills so that he will someday be able to support himself as independently as possible?

Answer

There is nothing quite like the joy felt as you watch your baby grow from a tiny, helpless infant to a big, strapping, independent man.  Ah, success-you’ve accomplished the job set before you.  Sometimes, however, the journey is difficult, filled with obstacles of all kinds.  Asperger’s Syndrome can be an obstacle, but not one that is too big to manage.

You’ve been with him through the struggles of making friends, keeping friends, sensory issues, obsessions, and his reluctance to change.   You’ve taught him ways to overcome the weaknesses on some level and enhance the positives as much as possible; there are positives to Asperger’s, as you well know.  Over the years you’ve read and wrote social stories and scripts to help him work through situations like dating and sports.  And when you couldn’t figure out a way to help him, you fought for support or therapy from the school system or the medical community.

The most important change you’ll have to make now is switching control over to him.  It is time to allow him to become more involved in the process. Let him know that you will be available for him, but help him see that he will be capable of taking care of himself without your constant supervision.  It’s time to form a plan.

Contact your local Autism support organization and ask for suggestions for life skills classes, social skills classes, and financial planning assistance.  Some groups may call these services transitional skills.  Your son can learn skills like managing housework, finding a job, learning to develop relationships with other adults in his situation, making and sticking to a budget, and paying his bills. 

Many communities provide support for all citizens with disabilities.  They offer career counseling and job placement services, among other advocacy assistance.  They may also offer assisted living in your community.  Sit down with your son and decide which services he needs, and then make plans to contact the appropriate offices. 

As a suggestion, you may want to find a written source to help you come up with a complete strategy for your son’s independence.  One such resource is “Becoming Remarkably Able:  Walking the Path to Talents, Interests, and Personal Growth” by Jackie Marquette, Ph.D.  This book is designed to be used by the support person of an individual with Autism or Asperger‘s.  You will find suggestions, assessments, and action steps to use to establish goals for your son’s future. 

You can do this!  More importantly, your son can do this.  He is well on his way to making this transition because of the support you’ve given him all along. 

Thanks for reading,

Dave Angel

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Articles and Videos posted this week at The Parenting Aspergers Community

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Video on Aspergers and Characters 2

This is part 2 of a video made by a teen girl with Asperger’s Syndrome. In this video, she continues talking about movie and book characters who are portrayed as having Asperger’s or High Functioning Autism. At one point, she loses her train of thought and begins to stim with her hands. This leads to a discussion of why people stim. She then moves on to talk about how special schools for young children with Autism tend to redirect stimming attempts, for no reason other than because it looks weird. Very interesting perspective that shows the differences in girls and boys with Asperger’s Syndrome. Running time: 9 minutes, 51 seconds . . .

To watch this video go to: -

http://www.parentingaspergerscommunity.com/members/408.cfm

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Video on Aspergers Characters

A teen girl with Asperger’s Syndrome talks about characters in books, television shows, and movies that are purposely portrayed as Asperger’s and how this makes her feel. She goes on to give examples of other characters who are not purposely written as on the spectrum, but who have distinct characteristics of Asperger’s Syndrome. These characters are more likeable, she believes, because they are not given a disability. Running time: 9 minutes 59 seconds …To watch this video article go to: -

http://www.parentingaspergerscommunity.com/members/407.cfm

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Aspergers and New Year Resolutions by Matthew Readman

I would like to wish everyone a Happy New Year. My first article for 2010 is on New Year’s resolutions. Every year I hear my mom and dad, grandfather and grandmother make their New Year’s resolutions on something they say they want to stop or start. They asked me this year if I had any resolutions, as I am getting older and should start making goals for myself. I stated, “Why bother?” My mother said everyone has something they wish to change for the better or a bad habit they wish to stop. I am 11 years old, and I have aspergers. What do I want to change? Okay…….I do not want aspergers. I want to be popular and wish to have a million dollars …To read the full article go to: -

http://www.parentingaspergerscommunity.com/members/406.cfm

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