Employment for Individuals with Asperger Syndrome or Non-Verbal Learning Disability : Stories and Strategies

Most people with Non-Verbal Learning Disorder (NLD) or Asperger Syndrome (AS) are underemployed. With practical and technical advice on everything from job-hunting to interview techniques, from 'fitting in' in the workplace to whether or not to disclose a diagnosis, this book guides people with NLD or AS successfully through the employment field. There is information for employers, agencies, and careers counsellors, including an analysis of typical strengths, and how to use these positively in the workplace. Practical information and resource material is supported by numerous case studies to inspire and advise. This is an essential resource for people with NLD or AS seeking or in employment, and their employers. Cover......Page 1 Employment for Individuals with Asperger Syndrome or Non-Verbal Learning Disability: Stories and Strategies......Page 5 Contents......Page 7 LIST OF TABLES......Page 10 DISCLAIMER......Page 11 Introduction......Page 13 Part I: Career Voices: NLD Voices AS Voices......Page 35 1 I Should Have Listened......Page 37 2 The Lawyer......Page 41 3 The Long Road......Page 45 4 The Research Associate......Page 50 5 The Professor......Page 54 6 For the Love of Books......Page 62 7 Try, Try Again......Page 68 8 The Corporate Backpacker......Page 73 9 Teaching......Page 80 10 The Prodigal Son......Page 84 11 The Eccentric......Page 91 12 The Transcriptionist......Page 96 13 Great Expectations......Page 101 14 Survival in the Workplace......Page 110 15 The Salesman......Page 117 16 The Graduate......Page 124 17 In Pursuit of Approval......Page 128 18 The Entrepreneur......Page 132 Part II: Career Strategies: Planning for a Career Finding a Job Maintaining a Career......Page 137 19 Career Planning for the AS/NLD Individual......Page 139 20 Career Counseling for the NLD/ASWorld......Page 158 21 Transitioning from School to Work......Page 167 22 A Short Intro to Job Hunting......Page 173 23 Presenting Yourself in Print......Page 175 24 Showcase Your Work: Using a Professional Portfolio to Advance your Career......Page 177 25 Presenting Yourself in Person......Page 182 26 How to Survive the Job Interview......Page 189 27 Questions to Ask at the Job Interview1......Page 193 28 The Employer’s Perspective on Hiring People with NLD/AS......Page 195 29 Your First Hundred Days......Page 202 30 Work Issues......Page 209 31 Major Hurdles: Sociability and Communication......Page 220 32 More Hurdles......Page 234 33 A Few Lists......Page 248 34 Disclosing: If, When, and How to Do It......Page 252 35 Some Commandments for an Employer who is Working with an NLD Employee......Page 259 36 Strategies for Successful Employment......Page 261 37 Workplace Bullying and the NLD/AS Individual......Page 264 38 You Have a Bad Attitude......Page 283 39 Vocational Rehabilitation Programs and the NLD/AS Individual......Page 286 40 I Have A Dream......Page 297 41 Individual Employee Plan......Page 299 42 Career Choices......Page 302 Part III: Resources: Disability resources Career resources......Page 305 Disability Resources......Page 307 Career Resources......Page 322 BIBLIOGRAPHY......Page 330 SUBJECT INDEX......Page 332 AUTHOR INDEX......Page 338 Most people with Non-Verbal Learning Disorder (NLD) or Asperger Syndrome (AS) are underemployed. This book sets out to change this. With practical and technical advice on everything from job hunting to interview techniques, from 'fitting in' in the workplace to whether or not to disclose a diagnosis, this book guides people with NLD or AS successfully through the employment mine field. There is also information for employers, agencies and careers counsellors on AS and NLD as 'invisible' disabilities, including an analysis of the typical strengths of somebody with NLD or AS, and how to use these positively in the workplace. Practical information and lists of career resources are supported by numerous case studies to inspire and advise. An essential resource for people with NLD or AS seeking or in employment and their existing or potential employers. "When I was 17, I took interest and ability tests designed to help decide what I should be when I grew up."