Aspies For Freedom

Do the problems faced by people with Asperger Syndrome/High Functioning Autism need to be solved outside the box? I have a feeling a lot of the people(including myself) have the type of personality and learning style that well turn us into square pegs trying to fit in a round hole in a traditional corporate environment.

I don't want to simply throw blame at others and say you fix our problems. It doesn't work and it gets old real fast.

Maybe we need to come up with our own model of what works in the Asperger World since we know best the challenges we face everyday.

What I am thinking of is a model for a new type of business organization.
A company that really is not a company but more like a loose arrangement of  independent contractors who work together.
Cross-trained and support one another.
Compensation could be on a commission basis where time is not as much of a factor and where you could determine the hours you wanted to work since a lot of Aspies tend to be night persons. Maybe we have too much dependence on the 9-5 routine.
If you want to take off for a leave of absence, that is fine, we can subcontract the assignments out with temps and then you can pick up when you come back.
I am not sure how practical this could be in the real world. It could work with accounting and web design. And I am sure in many occupations this would simply not be practical.

We need an Aspie networking website for people who are self-employed to connect with other Aspies for possible potential clients(if you are self employed) networking for partnerships for mutually beneficial business arrangements, job leads, Aspie friendly companies.

I looked for an Asperger Support Group in Rhode Island and came across the Aspergers Association of New England. The Rhode Island chapter has two support groups for adults. One meets in the pine room of Bradley Hospital(a psychiatric hospital) in Rhode Island. The other meets at some   place called the Neurodevelopment Center in Providence. Call me a little bit prejudiced but somehow having this kind of a image in my mind doesn't really grab me. And I don't think it presents a very flattering image of us to the NT World. We need to start thinking outside the box. Just my vent on this.

Well said.

heck, yeah, indeed
one of the problems I've found is that I don't have a visible disability. As one person from the PDD (pervasive developmental disability) group in my local town put it:
"so, uh, basically, you're not handicapped enough", and a lack of knowledge about where to go to find stuff like that. I don't wanna know where I might find a steak, Just point me to a good butcher shop, and hand me the keys... in my last attempt to find a job, well, I put in with all kinds of folks, disabled, abled, whatever. The place that got me my first real job used to have something for folks with Asperger's, but not any more. shame, that...I also tried talking to my benefits worker, who referred me to someone who told me I could try here, here or here. I was under the impression that whomever was gonna be more actively involved, say, like telling me where to find a part time job for sure. should'a' known....govt' department...'nuff said

J B

I think we often need a job broker who will liaise with suitable employers to help us get into positions that will be good for us.

How about a job broker or someone that can also find assignments for independent contractors? I think that would even be better because than you can set your own hours and work in an environment that you feel comfortable with. Just my opinion.

That's okay if you're well organised but I'd rather a 9-5 job where it is more secure and predictable. But there should certainly be different options depending on what sort of work a person wants to undertake.

Hear Hear, Pakrat

Security, a decent wage, and Prospects!

If, just for theoretical purposes, we had an "aspie" company providing services to an "aspie" society, what would it really be like?

Depends on who was running it

Thank you, that answer was completely correct and completely useless.  (sarcasm)  

I really must get this MSN thing....sounds marvlous.  

I was thinking along the lines of what goods and services would be in higher demand, and which would be in lower demand.

I imagine most aspies would require the same goods and services as so called "normal" people.

Ian,

Agreed.  I was more interested in what goods and services would be in different rates of demand.  Both higher and lower.

I imagine high tech stuff like IT equipment would be in higher demand, as for other things it's impossible to tell due to the variety of interests exhibited by those with AS/Autism.

That Pakrat is an excellent suggestion.