As a job coach for autistic adults, I’m thinking success will be more determined by the work environments as opposed to the actual work. At the very least, the environments need greater consideration.

For example, background noise. I took a client to a supermarket for an interview. Everything went pretty good and he answered questions as well as expected. When we left he told me the music playing in the background was too loud and bothered him. So, forget about that environment. Later, I got him a job at a quiet discount store that sold factory and store returns and overstocks. His job was stocking and organizing the display shelves. There was no music blaring over a sound system.

Another fellow repeatedly leaves his shift early. He works in setting up tables, polishing dinnerware and removing dishes at a large country club. He has trouble dealing with down time and not having regular assigned tasks. The large setting makes it easy for him to just slip away. At another job (before he had a job coach), he was stocking produce at a supermarket. The manager would give him several verbal instructions and leave. He managed to get one or two things done but without anything written down and left on his own, he was frustrated and walked off.

I’m thinking more about finding smaller settings with less noise, activity and multiple conversations occurring. We often gravitate to the bigger businesses because they have more jobs and openings available. There is also a lot more turnover in retail and fast-food establishments. But that’s more an indicator of poor management and lack of advancement opportunities.

How about a smaller business with an owner or manager who will take the time to groom someone into the position? Statistics show that people with disabilities, especially autism, make for more committed and reliable employees. For many a job might be the only activity in their uncluttered lives. Give them a chance, take the time to teach them, and they will stay with an employer for a long time.

There was a time in our country before the building of institutions to house the “crazies” as in One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest, when people with mental or cognitive disabilities where given jobs to do and had built-in natural supports through uncles, aunts, friends of the family and others. Yes, they were different and maybe they didn’t move as fast, but they were accepted and given a chance. These are the small businesses I’m talking about.

What do you think? For parents of children on the spectrum, what work environment or type of job works for your sons or daughers? What companies or businesses are good places to work for someone with an intellectual disability or special need?