Aspies For Freedom

I have recently had a (pseudonymous) letter answered by the Career Doctor at Science's Next Wave, in which my Asperger's syndrome is mentioned. The letter is online here:

http://nextwave.sciencemag.org/cgi/conte...05/01/13/4

As you can see, the Career Doctor suggested I turn to my local branch of the National Autistic Society for advice on "how to interact with your employer, and ... further sources of local training or support". I wasn't aware of the Devon branch(es) offering support in this field. I know there's the Prospects employment service over in London, but in my experience they're more aimed at getting people into jobs than assisting with career progression.

A thought - maybe we could do with a forum for work-related issues?

That would be easy to do if people are interested, let us know.
In the mean time I'll do a poll to see what position most of us are in regarding work.

There is a campaign going on now in the UK that started in November of 2004.  It is called "The Undiscovered Workforce" and supposedly addresses the interaction between autistic workers and employers.  Here is the link to read more on this subject:

http://www.nas.org.uk/nas/jsp/polopoly.jsp?d=507&a=5974

I have not heard how they are addressing the subject of Advocacy for AS and High Functioning Autistics in the workplace (as they are still a fairly new group) but have been looking to establish something quite similar in the US.  

I have sent emails/letters to persons connected to the Autistic Society here in my hometown and have also sent a letter to congressman Dan Burton on an idea I have concerning employment of AS adults and the Education of the Business World on the many attributes Autistic Adults can bring to the Workplace.

I would have printed my ideas here on this forum but I feared they may be too lengthy to post.  

I will let you know if I hear anything from Congressman Burton on this subject.  

I hope he is not more concerned with elimination and curing of autism than seeing the contributions Autistic Adults can make to the business world if only we are given the chance.

I'm sorry.  Somehow I posted (again) as "guest"   :roll:   I keep getting logged out and not knowing that I have went from "monastic" to "guest" in a matter of minutes.  Sorry - The previous post was mine.

This quote comes from my firm's guide to competencies. Here, "JL3" is the level immediately above me.

Working with others

Staff in JL3 posts will

* develop mutually beneficial business and social networks
* collaborate with others, sharing best practice, plans, information and resources as appropriate

It doesn't necessarily follow that I would have to meet the requirements for "working with others" to gain promotion - it may be sufficient to meet the requirements over all the other competencies (there are 12 others). However, am I alone in feeling that the first of the above requirements is discriminatory against Aspies and anyone else who doesn't make friends easily?

I agree, it is discriminatory, and not even really necessary in most cases.  

I worked in a customer service position for a few years and noticed that my co-workers spent a tremendous amount of time "catching up" on the latest news, gossip and family related information with each other and with customers that regularly came in to chat the day away.  

I was friendly in a professional way, keeping conversation to a minimum which kept the lines flowing at a steady pace.  More people came through my line as it seemed to quickly get people on their way to do the more important things, which made many customers quite happy.

Although this usually meant that I was doing twice the work of my co-workers (which can cause friction between us) it was the only way I saw fit to do my job.

Which kind of employee do you think would have been more desirable to an employer?

We definately should have an Autistic Employee's Advocate to Argue the discrimination issues and show employers what they are missing out on by constantly advertising for a "people-person" with social networking abilities.

Getting back to my original posting, are there any local branches of the NAS that help with practical issues such as career progression (or buying a property, even)? Or are they more concerned with arranging social get-togethers for Aspies?

I haven't attended the Exeter AS group since last May; I'd become frustrated at the amount of time wasted on discussing plans for days out, such a day-trip to Tate Modern in London, which never came to pass. More than once I tried to raise the problems I was having with the local NHS pyschotherapist, but all the support group facilitator did was to make a big spiel out of putting the item on the agenda, only for us to run out of time.

This week I met up with someone who attends the Exeter group. She told me that all they've done for the past year is discuss plans for an Aspie art exhibition, yet they haven't even got as far as booking the venue!

Is this as good as it gets? :evil:

Sjöjungfru, I understand your frustration.  I'm sorry but I have no answers for you.  It seems here in the United States, at least in my part of the US, things are no better for us.  I've been hitting the same "brick wall."

It seems most Autistic support groups that I've connected with are the same, All Fluff and all about Socializing without any help on the daily living issues and help with work related issues.  I think the problem is they just haven't figured out that there are many of us that are struggling with employment, independant (so far) and could really use help (in the form of action AND NOT JUST TALK) on the more practical issues.  I'm trying to do what I can to change this problem in my hometown.  

I wish you luck, Sjöjungfru, in your search.

You might want to have a look at the Prospects service in the UK (by the NAS) perhaps they can give you some information or a basis for starting something similar where you are.

The link that I put in my original post earlier (I posted as "guest"   :roll: ) will get you to the NAS website.  You can use their Search button in the upper right hand corner to find the Prospects Service (just type Prospects).  Again, I don't know much about the NAS in the UK.  

I wrote an email to the NAS asking for information on their new "undiscovered workforce" campaign but have not received any information yet concerning this "campaign" or the educational packs for employers and employees.  I tried to download a copy of the packs by clicking the link provided, but for some reason it doesn't work (for me, anyway).  I do hope they contact me because, as I said in the email to the NAS, I think it could be a beneficial program to be started here in the United States.

I #$%&*@!!  did it again!  (The above post is from monastic a.k.a. guest)

  :oops:

As far as the property element goes, I think we got off to a bad start trying to discuss that previously. I have bought property in the South West UK on two occasions, in the past 12 or so years. Also, I have other relevant knowledge in that field. If you wish to PM me with any queries you might have, I'll see if I can be of help.

Certainly i feel my own social difficulties have got in the way of my employment so i appreciate help with those issues.
Everyone AS or NT each have disabilities.
There are are certainly ideal occupations for those with AS etc.
I work in a library, but in the customer service area. I now realise how it has stressed me over the past few months. office politics etc. there really is no way to stop this. It is just another (do we need more?) wonderful learning opportunity.
i have some outside support from a supported employment service which allows me to vent and gives advice.
But I do not under any circumstances want to be treated any differently from my other colleagues. Working in a library gives one contact with other subliminal AS characters!
becca

I seem to be fortunate.

My original Master's in sociology was demonstrated to be useless after nearly three dozen interviews in a little over two years.

Enter state bureaucratic intervention (Maryland Department of Rehabilitation Services)

I and six other high-functioning males became the first Maryland Rehabilitation Center (Baltimore) graduating class in computer programming (June 1999).

I've been employed almost eight years and counting in Arlington VA.

I never think that any study is completely useless. Apart from anything else, it demonstrates that you've had the perserverance and patience to set a goal and see it through to its completion.

It's good to see that you and some others got work after doing your course through the Rehabilitation Centre. I think it often just takes someone to give us that little bit of a head start in life and we are then capable of doing very well.