Unemployed on the Autism Spectrum : How to Cope Productively with the Effects of Unemployment and Jobhunt with Confidence

"Unemployment can be an isolating experience. In this much-needed book, Michael John Carley reassures readers who are unemployed and have Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) that they are not alone. Offering guidance on how you can cope with unemployment in a constructive and emotionally healthy manner, Michael John Carley writes with a crucial understanding of the isolation and negative emotions that unemployment can bring about if you have ASD. He explains why so many people find themselves out of work and how it's often not their fault. Providing guidance on how to maintain your confidence and motivation, this book offers advice on how you can pursue other opportunities, such as part-time work or volunteering. The book also features advice on how to manage your finances during periods of unemployment." -- Finding a job is a confusing and anxiety-provoking process for many individuals with Asperger's Syndrome (AS) who may not know what they are qualified to do and may struggle to communicate their value to employers. In this book, Asperger's employment expert Barbara Bissonnette describes exactly what it takes to get hired in the neurotypical workplace. Every aspect of finding employment is covered, from defining strengths and researching occupations, to marketing oneself and projecting confidence and enthusiasm in interviews. Job-hunters are taught how to develop a personal profile of their talents and skills, their ideal work environment, and important work criteria. They are then shown how to set realistic goals and develop an effective job search plan. There is detailed instruction on networking, including how to find contacts and what to say. A wealth of checklists, templates, sample scripts and written communications accompany the text. Upfront, engaging and highly practical, this will be an essential guide for individuals with AS entering the workforce for the first time, as well as experienced workers who have lost jobs or wish to change careers but are uncertain about how to find the best match for their abilities. The BASICS College Curriculum presents a hands-on approach to learning essential independence and life skills for students with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). The third book helps young adults to translate their strengths and interests into possible careers and develop job-hunting skills that will set them on the road to success. Students are shown how to identify their unique skill set, write an effective resume, build a network of contacts, prepare for interviews, and secure that internship position. Other possible life paths are also explored including continuing in education and studying abroad. Ideal as a textbook for ASD college programs and suitable for young adults to use for their own self-study, each chapter has a lesson-based progressive structure, providing valuable information and advice for the student, useful diagrams, practical exercises and workbook components that can be filled in at home or in class. Self-assessment tools ensure the skills from each chapter can be reviewed and adjusted as necessary. The book can be used on its own or in conjunction with the other BASICS curriculum books to further develop essential life skills. The BASICS College Curriculum presents a hands-on approach to learning essential independence and life skills for students with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). The third book helps young adults to translate their strengths and interests into possible careers and develop job-hunting skills that will set them on the road to success. Students are shown how to identify their unique skill set, write an effective resume, build a network of contacts, prepare for interviews, and secure that internship position. Other possible life paths are also explored including continuing in education and studying abroad. Ideal as a textbook for ASD college programs and suitable for young adults to use for their own self-study, each chapter has a lesson-based progressive structure, providing valuable information and advice for the student, useful diagrams, practical exercises and workbook components that can be filled in at home or in class. Self-assessment tools ensure the skills from each chapter can be reviewed and adjusted as necessary. - Provided by publisher In this guide, the author, a career development coach and former business executive explains what it takes to succeed in a workplace dominated by neurotypicals. It covers everything from choosing the right career to deciding whether disclosure is the right option. It features realistic strategies for meeting employer expectations and effectively resolving problems. Examples from coaching clients are used to illustrate common employment challenges and how various techniques are applied in actual circumstances. Situations are described from both the Asperger's and neurotypical point of view so that readers understand why problems occur and how to avoid them in the future. The book is designed to be a reference that readers can refer to again and again for guidance on specific job-related topics. The recommendations will benefit individuals who are entering the workforce, as well as those who struggle to maintain employment, or who want to improve their performance and advance their careers.

The workplace can be a difficult environment for people with Asperger's Syndrome (AS) and this often impedes their ability to make use of particular skills and sustain meaningful and fulfilling employment.

This is the definitive guide to surviving and thriving in the workplace for people with AS. It includes everything from realistic strategies for meeting employer expectations, to how to get on with your colleagues and work as part of a team, multitask and manage projects, and handle anxiety and effectively resolve problems. Common employment challenges are illustrated through examples from the author's extensive experience coaching individuals with AS at all job levels, from entry-level to manager and professional positions.

The pragmatic recommendations in the book will benefit anyone with AS who is entering the workforce, as well as those who struggle to maintain employment, or who want to improve their performance and advance their careers.

The workplace can be a difficult environment for people with Asperger's Syndrome (AS) and this often impedes their ability to make use of particular skills and sustain meaningful and fulfilling employment. This is the definitive guide to surviving and thriving in the workplace for people with AS. It includes everything from realistic strategies for meeting employer expectations, to how to get along with your colleagues and work as part of a team, multitask and manage projects, and handle anxiety and effectively resolve problems. Common employment challenges are illustrated through examples from the author's extensive experience coaching individuals with AS at all job levels, from entry-level to manager and professional positions. The pragmatic recommendations in the book will benefit anyone with AS who is entering the workforce, as well as those who struggle to maintain employment, or who want to improve their performance and advance their careers. In today's society, we regularly receive mixed messages about sex and sexuality. Is it healthy or inappropriate to view porn? Should you always be friends first? And where on earth is the G spot? It's no wonder sex sometimes seems more intimidating than intimate. For people on the autism spectrum, that list of questions can be even longer. Answering the questions about sex and the autism spectrum that often go unaddressed, this frank guide dispels common worries and promotes a healthy, confident attitude towards sex and relationships.An honest and informative read for people on the autism spectrum, as well as their partners. UNEMPLOYED ON THE AUTISM SPECTRUM by Michael John Carley 7 CONTENTS 11 Foreword 13 Acknowledgments 15 Three Notes on This Book 17 Introduction 19 Are You Unemployed? It’s Not Just You 27 The Psychological and Emotional Factors of Being Unemployed 45 Forgiveness 61 Looking For Work 65 Financial Management 95 Taking Care of Your Head 109 The Opportunities 127 Momentum 141 Survey Participant Data 145 About the Author 149 Endnotes 153 Index 159 Blank Page 2 Acknowledgements Foreword / by Brenda Smith Myles, Ed.D Notes on this book Introduction Are you unemployed? : it's not just you Psychological and emotional factors of being unemployed Forgiveness Looking for work : all you can do is your best Take care of your head : beating the psychological and emotional factors of being unemployed Some minimum wage in the meantime? The opportunities Momentum Appendix: survey participant data About the authors. What does it take to make it in the NT (neurotypical) workplace, anyway? A primer on communication at work Making the right first impression and fitting in People skills Executive functions at work: managing time and getting things done Managing anger, frustration, anxiety, and stress Managing your career Disclosure and accommodations In the final analysis Asperger's Syndrome guide for employers. Finding a job is a confusing and anxiety-provoking process for many individuals with Asperger's Syndrome. This practical â??how-toâ?? guide describes exactly what it takes to get hired in the neurotypical workplace. Every aspect of finding employment is covered, from defining strengths and researching occupations to projecting confidence in interviews This is the definitive guide to surviving and thriving in the workplace for people with Asperger's Syndrome (AS). Covering everything from meeting employer expectations, to how to get on with your colleagues, manage projects, and resolve problems. Common employment challenges are illustrated by real life examples from the author's coaching clients This practical college curriculum helps students with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) to begin to make the transition to the next stage of life - their career. With detailed personality and skills profiling, job-hunting strategies, and interview preparation, it is an ideal textbook for ASD college programs or for student self-study. Addressing the high rate of unemployment among people with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), this vital guide offers advice on how you can overcome negative emotions, maintain your confidence and process unemployment in an emotionally healthy way.