ASNC and Do2Learn Partner—JobTIPS

In the Winter 2012 Edition of the Autism Society of North Carolina's (ASNC) magazine, The Spectrum, there is a wonderful article about a collaboration between the Training Department at ASNC and Do2Learn with the JobTIPS program. The initial group consisted of five individuals and two facilitators. Please read the entire article for more information about the vocational training group on page 17 of The Spectrum.

JobTIPS is designed to help individuals with disabilities such as Autism Spectrum Disorder explore career interests, seek and obtain employment, and successfully maintain employment. It also addresses the social and behavioral differences that might make identifying and keeping a job more difficult. Do2Learn offers JobTips FREE and the program is designed for direct use by the individual. Often it is more suitable to have someone else go through the program with the individual such as a job coach, parent, teacher, etc. Having this guidance may add structure to the program and having someone there to answer any questions right away is always helpful.

To assist those helping someone going through the JobTIPS program, Do2Learn has a comprehensive tutorial page complete with a step-by-step guide to assist in navigating the website.

For example the explanation of the toolbar:

The main toolbar on the left shows you all the major topics discussed on the website. You can use your mouse to scroll down to the topic you are interested in. If the title becomes highlighted when the cursor is over it, click on it. Most topics have a sidebar that appears the the right, showing the subtopics within that section. Use your mouse to scroll over the subtopic you are interested in and click on the highlighted title to go to that webpage.

The JobTIPS tutorial page further explains in detail videos, tip boxes, printables, key points, why boxes, and navigation arrows. This page is a good place to start when beginning the JobTIPS program for a successful navigation experience.

Do2Learn is committed to assisting those with Autism Spectrum Disorder in finding appropriate employment opportunities. Look for Transition Toolbox coming soon!

Environmental Demands on the Job - JobTIPS

How often do you think about the environmental demands of your job? I work inside in a temperature controlled area and I can turn the music up, down or off and on to my own liking. I have complete control over certain interruptions just by turning my phone ringer off or on. I am lucky, but not many jobs allow for that much environmental control. Let's look at what an adult, with special needs, looking toward employment will need to consider as they begin to search for a job.

A good place to start to learn about some of the possible environmental demands on the job would be by going through Do2Learn's rating sheet found here. The best thing about this rating sheet is that there are no wrong answers. Some of us are not outdoor workers, some of us love to work in busy office areas, etc., this sheet can help sort out what sort of environment might be a best fit when seeking employment.  Right here you have two worksheets to help sort out what kind of job might be a good fit for someone with special needs.  Good stuff!

Sometimes there are situations in job environments that are beyond our control and we need to work around those situations. For example, our office might be drafty and there is nothing that can be done.  So to cope we just need to bring a sweater and have it in the office for those times when we are cooler. Here is a worksheet to assist and guide an adult with special needs in dealing with those environmental demands that need some accommodations in work situations.

Let's look at some other demands and how we might can cope with such situations on the job. (please note that these links are to pages where you can find comprehensive information and videos to provide further assistance)

• Location—You might work indoors or outdoors. What types of jobs could you do and how would cope?

• Noise Level—The noise level in your work area might be very loud or very quiet. What types of jobs could you do and how would cope?

• Lighting Level—Lighting at some jobs can range from low to bright to florescent. What types of jobs could you do and how would cope?

• Work Hours—Some jobs are full time and some are part time. You might even work shift work. What does this mean?

• Amount of Movement—Some jobs require a lot of sitting at a desk and others a lot of standing. What types of jobs could you do and how would cope?

• Cleanliness and Odors—Workplaces can range from very clean areas to very messy environments. What types of jobs could you do and how would cope?

• Work Attire—Jobs have a dress code (clothes you should wear) that is appropriate for the job you are doing. Find out what is required for your job.

• Structure & Predictability—Some jobs are very structured and predictable and others are less structured an unpredictable. Which environment would be best for you?

• Work Pace—Pace refers to how quickly you work. Here is a great guide to finding out what your best pace is and how to cope with jobs that require changing pace.

We all face these environmental demands on the job, but for someone who has special needs they are much more difficult to recognize and cope with. If those who are assisting in job placement or teaching vocational skills can begin the process of recognizing the person's strengths early on, the smoother the employment process can go.  Do2Learn has put together talented teacher's and clinicians from around the world to assist you in navigating this process.  Please be sure to check out all the information of Environmental Demands in the JobTIPS section of our website.

What's Your Scene? - JobTIPS

As parents, we have had as many scenes as our children have had developmental stages. The play date at the park scene, the trading off sitter scene, the IEP scene, the doctor's office scene, etc. I think you get the picture. So now we have arrived at our children beginning to look for employment themselves. WHAT? When did that happen? It was not magic and yes it did happen too fast. So now you are in that scene and so is your teen/adult and you need help. We published a great blog in May of 2011 highlighting our JobTips section and I would recommend going back and reviewing that blog.

In the meantime there are 3 scenes that teens/adults will typically find themselves most comfortable in when looking for employment situations.

• “In the Scene” This is basically a customer service position. Some examples of jobs are teacher, waitress, bank teller and retail sales.

• “Behind the Scene” In this type of position you would only occasionally work with customers or others. Some examples of jobs are grocery bagger, cook, auto mechanic, and mailman.

• “Out of the Scene” In a position like this you would likely not work with customers and may work in a area by yourself. Some examples of jobs are office clerk, web developer, book/cartoon illustrator, and mail room worker.

Do2Learn's “What's Your Scene” section has a step-by-step process for teens/adults to go through with a parent, teacher, job coach, other professional, or even on their own to help them determine what employment “scene” is best for them. You will notice there are printables, videos and quizzes included in this section. These resources will help you and your teen/adult in determining where they would feel most comfortable and find the most success in employment.

So what's your scene these days? Share your scene with a teen/adult who is trying to figure out their own employment scene. It just may help them with discovering their own.