Newsletter Archive

OCTOBER 2008

Finding Your Niche
 
According to the U.S. Department of Labor Statistics, the average person has more than 3 different careers during his or her working life (that's 3 different careers, not 3 different jobs). While many people struggle to find a career niche that's satisfying, individuals with Asperger's Syndrome and Nonverbal Learning Disorder (NLD) face specific vocational challenges.
 
One problem is that career guides and assessment tools have been developed for neurotypical people, and thus do not address the social, communication and organizational issues unique to Asperger's and NLD. 
 
When I work with clients on career selection we evaluate obvious items such as job tasks, educational requirements, job outlook, etc. We also look at the "hidden" criteria for communication, social interaction and organizational ability. 
 
For example, if someone has a low tolerance of interruptions and does not like participating in frequent team meetings, they should avoid management roles. Generally speaking, people with AS do best in jobs where expectations are explicit and where they do not have to infer what people want.  
 
Executive function is another critical career evaluation area. The ability to organize, prioritize, manage time and resources, multi-task, consider options, monitor results, predict likely outcomes and change course are all examples of executive function capabilities. Usually jobs with routine tasks require less executive functioning skill than jobs that involve novel situations or the management of other people. 
 
"Multi-tasking" is a tough requirement to evaluate because it has no standard definition. In some jobs multi-tasking means managing several projects at your own pace during the day. In others it means being able to switch tasks several times per hour and make quick decisions. 
 
Sensory issues can inform career choices. The formal dress code required in the legal and banking professions, for instance, could pose problems for people with severe tactile sensitivities. A desk lamp might not be enough if a cubicle is surrounded by florescent lighting.  
 
Sometimes experience is the only way to really know whether a carrer or job is a match. If things do not work out, use the experience to learn more about what will be a good fit. Get some feedback from a family member, colleague, employment counselor or coach about what your strengths are and what skills you can learn or improve. Be open to exploring a different career path or training for a new line of work.

© 2008 by Barbara Bissonnette, Forward Motion Coaching