This post shares information about exciting new adult-based employment programming and evidence-based practices using Life Coaching for individuals with Asperger Syndrome/high functioning autism/NVLD and related conditions.
Earlier this month, I visited with Marcia Scheiner, CEO & President of The Asperger Syndrome Training & Employment Partnership (ASTEP), a new organization formally launched in mid-February, dedicated to building long-term employment opportunities for those with Asperger Syndrome (AS). Scheiner says it is the nation
Dear Rob,
Thanks for all the outreach you do, especially in the area of employment opportunities for young adults like Simon. We feel very grateful that he has the opportunity to grow towards independence with the support of LDI.
Barbara
Thanks Barbara, finding meaningful employment that pays a living wage is a common desire and value for just about anyone.
For adults with hidden disabilities, this is one of the more pressing issues to reduce the almost 90% under/unemployment rates of otherwise capable individuals in competitive employment.
To this end, we all share a similar vision and hope for those we love and serve to be able to achieve a higher quality of life through their contributions in the workplace and society.
Rob
Thanks so much for giving information about the Inclusive Community Life Coaching service at ASU. We greatly appreciate your inclusive approach – thank you! One correction I would like to make is that Dr. Nan Carle is the Director of the IIC Life Coaching service. I can be reached at Nan.Carle@ASU.edu. We are greatly enjoying coaching adults with disabilities for success in higher education, on the job and in community living. We look forward to collaborating with LDI and others supporting positive opportunities. All best, Nan
Rob,
This is an excellent and much needed service plan. In Silicon Valley, we have the opportunity to link the supply side (Stanford, CAL, SJ State, Community Colleges) with the demand side (Yahoo, Google, Facebook, Twitter, etc.). The part missing is the community agency to successfully connect the two and ensure that our candidates have the training and support needed to transition and thrive in the workplace. Perhaps we can talk more about serving the needs of our community here in California? Thank you, Carol Ann
Hi Carol:
I would suggest connecting with the California affiliate of the US Business Leadership Network, located in Santa Cruz. While it is not an agency tasked with direct services to otherwise qualified PwD, it is a connecting entity that acts as in an HR/PR capacity for the business community in many productive ways.
There is an upcoming conference in September, where I have made many friends and expanded relationships with key decision-making members of the business community, government agencies dedicated to employment for PwD, disability-owned business enterprises, and international entities with a focus on building business confidence and making the case for sourcing/employing/retaining/promoting qualified PwD.
Your original point about an agency or program that does a sort of “pre-training and pre-screening” constituting appropriate training/support is still a critical local/regional resource issue that must be part of an overall strategy since there is a dearth of these programs that understand both the various impacts of conditions such as ASD to the person, what the employer’s needs are in posting the position opening, and how the person with ASD will smoothly transition into the new environment/expectations.
I am happy to discuss further, and appreciate your reading the post and taking the time to comment.
Contact information for California BLN is:
Website Address: http://www.cabln.org
Director/President: Michelle Maybaum, Director
California Business Leadership Network
Address: #206 – 849 Almar Street, Ste. C
Santa Cruz, CA 95060
Phone: (916) 653-5108
Fax: (916) 654-9821
Email: info@cabln.org
Is there any programs in Las Vegas, Nevada dealing with Asperger’s Syndrome? I was diagnosed with the condition when I was 18 years old. I have a High School Diploma, an Associate’s Degree in General Studies, and am working on getting my Bachelor’s Degree in Health Care Administration. I would greatly appreciate it if you could give me some information. Thank you for your time, Karen Cairns
Hi Karen:
Thanks for reading and asking….. I don’t have any information on programs in the Las Vegas area, but here are two adult groups with contact information for you.
Las Vegas Asperger’s Syndrome/HFA Support Group
AspergerHFAGrp@aol.com
Let us know if you locate something, and we will include it on the site!
Las Vegas & Southern Nevada Area Asperger Syndrome Support Group
smyth60@yahoo.com