Jill Jones, a Greenville, SC therapist who cares for many patients with Asperger’s or “High Functioning Autism,” views the estimated 90% unemployment rate in the population and calls it a great brain waste in our nation. Here we have thousands of adults, many who graduated from high school on the honor roll, languishing at home washing dishes or playing video games. At the same time, businesses are running in circles trying to fill jobs.

The unemployment rate is hovering at 3-4%. With the economy booming and Baby Boomers retiring in droves, it’s only going to become ever more challenging to find capable and dedicated workers to fill these jobs. Businesses will have little choice but to tap into cognitively-challenged people to fill their jobs, as some have done in hiring ex-offenders on parole. As I’ve stated so many times in the past, with proper supports and education of employers, autistic adults can be excellent employees.

There are no quick, easy solutions to the employment of adults with autism. It’s called the spectrum for a reason. Most need jobs with regular routine and standard steps or assignments. Some have sensory issues, especially hearing, that need to be addressed. Hectic, noisy and chaotic situations are not good fits. In some situations, an inexpensive pair of ear plugs will work.

Temple Grandin published an excellent book and must reading for those with Asperger’s, their parents, friends and particularly those who provide services such as job coaching. It’s “Developing Talents: Career for Individuals with Asperger Syndrome and High-Functioning Autism.” I’ve read many of Grandin’s books and this is the best.

The foreword by renowned psychologist and author, Tony Attwood, should open the eyes of anyone in human resources or the position of hiring employees.

“A relatively small proportion of adults with Asperger Syndrome or high-functioning autism achieve long-term employment appropriate to their intellectual ability and qualifications. This is a remarkable waste of potential talent. The American workforce needs the benefit of the qualities of people with Asperger Syndrome and autism.”

The beautiful thing about this book is how helpful it is for everyone. Grandin shares her own personal stories of taking her love of animals and processes to learning how to connect with managers in the livestock business. She offers much practical advice for autistic adults on learning about careers through informal interviews and how to prepare for their own job interview. Employers learn about autism and how it affects people in the workplace. Counselors, teachers and job coaches gain excellent insights on how to help adults or students with autism in their job search.

Other books that have interesting insights to helping adults with Asperger’s in their employment:

• Asperger’s on the Job by Rudy Simone. Like Grandin, Simone is an adult with Asperger’s and knows first-hand the oddities of this condition and how to handle yourself in the workplace. Another great read for those with Asperger’s seeking satisfying employment.
• Helping Adults with Asperger’s Syndrome Get & Stay Hired by Barbara Bissonnette. Bissonnette is a job coach and specializes in career coaching for adults with Asperger’s. This is a good reference for professionals and parents.
• Asperger’s Syndrome A Guide for Parents and Professionals by Tony Attwood. Although sometimes bogged down in clinical language, this book, first published in 1998, is the most comprehensive explanation of Asperger’s traits and conditions.
• The Loving Push by Grandin and Debra Moore, Ph.D. This is a good book for parents with ASD children to read before they grow up and become adults. It explains a lot about the many facets of autism and how a primary care-giver (mom or dad) needs to push their child to new horizons. Grandin’s mom is the perfect example.