Essential Employment Advice for Asperger's Adults

We have no idea how to help him. He did graduate from high school and started at a college for one semester but we think he dropped out before the end of the semester.

He spends 24 hours a day in his small, cramped, dark room doing who know what online. Sometimes he comes out for meals, but eats very little. Most of the symptoms that are listed are things he has exhibited since he was a year old. Melt-downs, refusing to wear most clothing, not knowing how to play with peers, any change in his environment would throw him into what has to be called a "fit". This behavior has almost stopped because as his sister calls it, he seldom comes out of his "Bat Cave". He is very adept on the computer but, without experience somewhere and self-confidence he will never be self-sufficient or a productive, contributing adult.

If you have any info or suggestions that might be of assistance to us, would you please help us.

What are some of the difficulties that adults with Asperger’s have getting and keeping a job?

To start, we will talk about the problems those with AS have getting and keeping jobs.

Part One: The Interview

One of the biggest, if not the biggest, problems for adults with AS and employment is getting through the initial interview. You can be the brightest, sharpest person out there, you can know the job inside out, but unless you can connect with the person doing the interview socially, and can come across well, you will never get past the front door.

People with AS do not do small talk well. They might answer questions in a far too explicit manner or say nothing at all; give too much detail about their faults when it is not needed; not look people in the eye and seem excessively nervous and fidgety, which is a sign to most interviewers that they are not prepared or not right for the job—when, in fact, they are like that all the time.

People with AS can be trained in how to get through an interview, how to look people in the eye, how to answer questions the right way. But they are often going to have an air of anxiety pervading them that they can’t rid of no matter how much they try, and the interviewers pick up on this and often see them negatively for it. Not all, but a lot of them. Practicing mock interviews with a coach or friend will help a lot. Practicing eye contact, and role playing questions and answers will help give the person with AS a sense of what they should and shouldn’t do in an interview, and the kind of questions that will be asked. There are job coaches that are skilled in this, or even friends or family members can help.

Also, the adult with AS will likely need guidance in selecting proper attire for the interview. Does it require a suit, or just a polo shirt? What kind of pants go best with the shirt? Tie or no tie? The way a person presents themselves is very important in an interview; but presentation, and being aware of how they come across, is something that is very hard for most adults with AS.