Making the transition into employment
Parliament House, Brisbane, Australia
My transition into employment was not an easy process. My first real job was working casually in a Brisbane supermarket but not really being well understood and I was dismissed for no reason. I know some people work in supermarkets and are able to survive in them but for me, the experience was not much fun. I experienced some bullying and intimidation while working in them as well as being under ineffective managers. My first real job was in 1999, just after I graduated from the University of New England. As I was diagnosed with Asperger Syndrome in 1998 by Dr Tony Attwood, I joined a disability employment agency and was successful in being placed into the Queensland Parliamentary Library. I really enjoyed my time here as I could feel like a human being and was valued in the job I carried out. I was under a supportive supervisor who knew of my strengths and having worked hard within the Queensland Parliamentary Library, I was offered a further 4 months to work within it.
After I completed my placement at the Queensland Parliamentary Library, I then went through the musical chairs process of finding a disability employment agency which I hoped would assist me in finding employment. After repeated attempts I find the right one and submitting employment applications, I was to land employment in a state government department. It was here that I worked for 12 months in a traineeship and I successfully completed a Certificate III in Business and Office Administration. It was after I completed this qualification that I went to the United Kingdom. Despite trying to obtain employment, nothing was available so I thought I would make use of the time and go to the United Kingdom.
Upon my return in 2001, from a four week holiday, I was to find the search for employment difficult. I did not know whether or not I should reveal my diagnosis of Asperger Syndrome to prospective employers. Added to this, I just was disability employment agency hopping as I just could not find an employment consultant who could assist me in successfully being placed into employment. I undertook volunteer work, I submitted job application after job application but found my attempts unsuccessful and my time totally wasted. One of my more successful work experience attempts was working in the library of a Brisbane private school. It was here that I worked for 12 months as a volunteer. Despite my knowing and the vague promise of me obtaining a position in the middle school library, I was to later find my application unsuccessful. Despite this, I was also contacting the school myself instead of the disability employment consultant. I then had a breakdown and it took me a few months to join the disability employment agency bandwagon again. I worked part time after perseverance and finding a helpful employment consultant with a disability service provider. It was with success that I found then another supportive disability employment consultant who assisted me in obtaining my current position within the University of Queensland Library. Within this position I mainly shelve and sort library items and ensure they are shelved in accordance with the Library of Congress (American Classification System). I am also involved in some other library duties where required.
I have just written a book as I write this website entry. The book has been sent to Dr Tony Attwood and I am hoping that Dr Attwood will write a Foreword to the book. I feel we need to get awareness out there how adults on the Autism Spectrum are able to work but just need to be given a chance. We can only hope things will change for the future.
Please also find some suggestions on Strategies in Finding Employment for Adults on the Autism Spectrum
After I completed my placement at the Queensland Parliamentary Library, I then went through the musical chairs process of finding a disability employment agency which I hoped would assist me in finding employment. After repeated attempts I find the right one and submitting employment applications, I was to land employment in a state government department. It was here that I worked for 12 months in a traineeship and I successfully completed a Certificate III in Business and Office Administration. It was after I completed this qualification that I went to the United Kingdom. Despite trying to obtain employment, nothing was available so I thought I would make use of the time and go to the United Kingdom.
Upon my return in 2001, from a four week holiday, I was to find the search for employment difficult. I did not know whether or not I should reveal my diagnosis of Asperger Syndrome to prospective employers. Added to this, I just was disability employment agency hopping as I just could not find an employment consultant who could assist me in successfully being placed into employment. I undertook volunteer work, I submitted job application after job application but found my attempts unsuccessful and my time totally wasted. One of my more successful work experience attempts was working in the library of a Brisbane private school. It was here that I worked for 12 months as a volunteer. Despite my knowing and the vague promise of me obtaining a position in the middle school library, I was to later find my application unsuccessful. Despite this, I was also contacting the school myself instead of the disability employment consultant. I then had a breakdown and it took me a few months to join the disability employment agency bandwagon again. I worked part time after perseverance and finding a helpful employment consultant with a disability service provider. It was with success that I found then another supportive disability employment consultant who assisted me in obtaining my current position within the University of Queensland Library. Within this position I mainly shelve and sort library items and ensure they are shelved in accordance with the Library of Congress (American Classification System). I am also involved in some other library duties where required.
I have just written a book as I write this website entry. The book has been sent to Dr Tony Attwood and I am hoping that Dr Attwood will write a Foreword to the book. I feel we need to get awareness out there how adults on the Autism Spectrum are able to work but just need to be given a chance. We can only hope things will change for the future.
Please also find some suggestions on Strategies in Finding Employment for Adults on the Autism Spectrum
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Some of the places where I have assisted and worked include
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 Vintage cars Queensland Museum |
Why choose an adult on the Autism Spectrum for employment?
- An adult on the Autism Spectrum is very meticulous, pays attention to detail and is reliable.
- Once given a chance to demonstrate their skills and abilities, a person on the Autism Spectrum can be a very good employee.
- The person on the Autism Spectrum has a mind set for errors and ensures work is carried out to the best of their ability.
- An adult with Autism prefers a sense of purpose and structure in their life than being confined to a welfare payment.
What type of support is required for an adult on the Autism Spectrum?
- Assistance is required from a disability employment agency and a job coach or employment consultant specializing in Autism.
- A three tier approach including employee with Autism, Job Coach and Supervisor/Manager from employer.
- Training of managers and supervisors.
- Employers specifically employing adults on the Autism Spectrum. These include Specialisterne, Specialisterne Australia, Autism Works, and Aspiritech. (Can be found on links page).
- A supportive and compassionate employer who understands the different learning patterns and assistance required in terms of on the job support.
- A workplace which understands the level of support and assistance required within the work environment.
What type of work are adults on the Autism Spectrum suited to and more information. Below are some possible examples.
- Working as an Archivist
- Helping with animals
- Parking Attendant
- Pathologist
- Information Technology
- Computer software testing
- Library
Autism and Horse Therapy
Have you ever wondered about Horse Therapy? Do people on the Autism Spectrum have the ability to talk to horses? A new frontier for Autism awareness.
