Finding a fitting job

Many adults with autism find employment in areas that were once their obsessions. For example, Temple Grandin’s occupation as a designer of livestock handling equipment grew out of one of her childhood fixations.

However, careers and jobs must build on the unique abilities and strengths of the person with autism while minimizing weaknesses.

Dr. Grandin states that most people with autism have poor short-term memory. For that reason, employment in the following fields should be avoided:

• Cashiering
• Restaurant cook
• Waiting tables
• Dealing cards in a casino
• Dispatching
• Taking dictation
• Receptionist
• Telephone operator

The job your child does take should take into consideration the way he or she processes information. People who are “visual thinkers” should look for jobs that don’t require them to process information quickly and that make good use of their long term memories and visual thinking skills. Jobs that meet this description include:

• Computer programmer
• Commercial artist
• Photographer
• Equipment designer
• Animal trainer
• Veterinary technician
• Mechanic
• Computer or small appliance repairman
• Web page designer
• Video game designer

Those who fit into the category of “non-visual thinkers” are usually good with numbers, facts, and music. Good jobs for these individuals include:

• Accountant
• Librarian
• Engineer
• Journalist
• Copy editor
• Taxi driver
• Statistician
• Physicist
• Mathematician

Those who are non-verbal or have limited verbal skills may find employment in the following areas:

• Library reshelfer
• Factory worker
• Janitor
• Shelf stocker
• Warehouse worker
• Gardener
• Data entry personnel
• Fast food

Finding a fitting job
Planning a future
Home, Education, Leisure, Work, Independence & Planning a Future
Aspergers Checklist
Asperger's Syndrome in Laymens Terms. Aspergers Checklist