Autism Cymru

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Employment and Social Networks

• Autism Cymru
• Asperger Syndrome Conferences
• 2005

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Claire Fennell
Manager of Asperger Syndrome Outreach
Services autism. west midlands
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Keep the following question in mind

• If you had to choose one part of society to be
  totally excluded from,
• a working life,
• or a social life,
• which would you choose?

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Introducing Mark as an individual

• Mark is 39
• He lives by himself in a flat
• Works PT as a Database Administrator
• Very interested in Heritage National Trust
  properties is a keen photographer
• Mark is active and goes rambling, enjoys
  conservation and undertakes voluntary work to
  help protect the environment

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Introducing Mark as someone with AS

• Mark got his diagnosis at 25
• Extreme anxiety has been a big barrier to
  progression
• Wants to be socially active and have meaningful
  relationships
• Wants to work and make a contribution to society
  as others do

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Features of AS impacting on ability to have
social opportunities

• Deep desire to be socially active but lack of
  understanding of social rules results in negative
  experiences
• Vulnerability of appearing different
• Learning difficulties present practical
  barriers
• Inflexibility willingness to try new things or
  adapting to the needs of others

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Features of AS impacting on ability to have
social opportunities

• Difficulty thinking hypothetically
• Impact of self esteem
• Impact of lack of experience
• High anxiety reducing skills

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Barriers surrounding social networks

• Networks developed over time common experiences
  and trust
• Individuals need a desire to meet new people
• Stereo types and pre judgments
• Acknowledging hidden disabilities
• The ability to be flexible!

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What happens a Vicious Circle
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What about a quality of life?
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Features of AS impacting on ability to gain
employment

• Imagination what jobs mean and matching
  skills to jobs
• Whats appropriate to communicate through an
  application form or CV?
• Performing well at interviews
• Impact of low self esteem
• High anxiety reducing skills

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And sustaining employment

• Transferring skills and practical experience to a
  new environment
• Developing different types of relationships
• Communicating effectively with others but
  particularly with a line manager
• Imagination and perspective - Being able to
  recognise needs and set priorities
• Being able to respond to change and others

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Barriers surrounding employment

• Competitive market place
• Employers value experience
• Too much training
• Negative experience brings further barriers
• Lack of reasonable adjustments within general
  recruitment practice
• Employers are in control
• Diagnosis and disclosure

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What happens a Mountain to Climb
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What about a quality of life?
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So back to that question
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The journey for Mark

• 10 years ago - generic employment support but he
  lost his job
• awm provide high level social domestic support,
  Mark is at rock bottom
• Structured medium level support model achieved,
  Mark finds increased independence
• Mark gets support from ASpire, continues to
  receive supported living and attends social
  group, has a full network of low level support
  and finds greater fulfilment

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Link this to the development and provision of
services

• Sustainable
• Enjoyable
• Tailored to individual needs
• Adult appropriate not necessarily age appropriate
• Finding the right balance
• Starting as soon as childrens services end

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Back to Mark

• because social situations come into both..
  meeting new people and dealing with them where
  ever you are, there are differences and
  similarities in both
• employment has worked wonders for his self
  confidence and sense of personal self worth