Good jobs for people with aspergers

Choosing the Right Job for People with Autism or Asperger's Syndrome: Articles: Indiana Resource Center for Autism: Indiana University Bloomington

By: Temple Grandin, Ph.D. Assistant Professor Colorado State University Fort Collins, CO 80523, USA (November, 1999)

Jobs need to be chosen that make use of the strengths of people with autism or Asperger's syndrome. Both high and low functioning people have very poor short-term working memory, but they often have a better long-term memory than most normal people. I have great difficulty with tasks that put high demands on short-term working memory. I cannot handle multiple tasks at the same time. Table 1 is a list of BAD jobs that I would have great difficulty doing. Table 2 is a list of easy jobs for a visual thinker like me. I have difficulty doing abstract math such as algebra and most of the jobs on Table 2 do not require complex math. Many of the visual thinking jobs would also be good for people with dyslexia.

The visual thinking jobs on Table 2 put very little demand on fast processing of information in short-term working memory. They would fully utilize my visual thinking and large long-term memory. Table 3 is a list of jobs that non-visual thinkers who are good with numbers, facts and music could do easily. They also put low demands on short-term working memory and utilize an excellent long-term memory. Table 4 shows jobs that lower functioning people with autism could do well. For all types of autism and Asperger's syndrome, demands on short-term working memory must be kept low. If I were a computer, I would have a huge hard drive that could hold 10 times as much information as an ordinary computer but my processor chip would be small. To use 1999 computer terminology, I have a 1000 gigabyte hard drive and a little 286 processor. Normal people may have only 10 gigabytes of disc space on their hard drive and a Pentium for a processor. I cannot do two or three things at once.

Some job tips for people with autism or Asperger's syndrome:

Jobs should have a well-defined goal or endpoint.
Sell your work, not your personality. Make a portfolio of your work.
The boss must recognize your social limitations.

It is important that high functioning autistics and Asperger's syndrome people pick a college major in an area where they can get jobs. Computer science is a good choice because it is very likely that many of the best programmers have either Asperger's syndrome or some of its traits. Other good majors are: accounting, engineering, library science, and art with an emphasis on commercial art and drafting. Majors in history, political science, business, English or pure math should be avoided. However, one could major in library science with a minor in history, but the library science degree makes it easier to get a good job.

Some individuals while they are still in high school should be encouraged to take courses at a local college in drafting, computer programming or commercial art. This will help keep them motivated and serve as a refuge from teasing. Families with low income may be wondering how they can afford computers for their child to learn programming or computer aided drafting. Used computers can often be obtained for free or at a very low cost when a business or an engineering company upgrades their equipment. Many people do not realize that there are many usable older computers sitting in storerooms at schools, banks, factories and other businesses. It will not be the latest new thing, but it is more than adequate for a student to learn on.

In conclusion: a person with Asperger's syndrome or autism has to compensate for poor social skills by making themselves so good in a specialized field that people will be willing to "buy" their skill even though social skills are poor. This is why making a portfolio of your work is so important. You need to learn a few social survival skills, but you will make friends at work by sharing your shared interest with the other people who work in your specialty. My social life is almost all work related. I am friends with people I do interesting work with.

Table 1

Bad Jobs for People with High Functioning Autism or Asperger's Syndrome: Jobs that require high demands on short-term working memory

Cashier -- making change quickly puts too much demand on short-term working memory
Short order cook -- Have to keep track of many orders and cook many different things at the same time
Waitress -- Especially difficult if have to keep track of many different tables
Casino dealer -- Too many things to keep track of
Taxi dispatcher -- Too many things to keep track of
Taking oral dictation -- Difficult due to auditory processing problems
Airline ticket agent -- Deal with angry people when flights are cancelled
Future market trader -- Totally impossible
Air traffic controller -- Information overload and stress
Receptionist and telephone operator -- Would have problems when the switch board got busy

Table 2

Good Jobs for Visual Thinkers

Computer programming -- Wide-open field with many jobs available especially in industrial automation, software design, business computers, communications and network systems
Drafting -- Engineering drawings and computer aided drafting. This job can offer many opportunities. Drafting is an excellent portal of entry for many interesting technical jobs. I know people who started out at a company doing drafting and then moved into designing and laying out entire factories. To become really skilled at drafting, one needs to learn how to draw by hand first. I have observed that most of the people who draw beautiful drawings on a computer learned to draw by hand first. People who never learn to draw by hand first tend to leave important details out of their drawings.
Commercial art -- Advertising and magazine layout can be done as freelance work
Photography -- Still and video, TV cameraman can be done as freelance work
Equipment designing -- Many industries, often a person starts as a draftsman and then moves into designing factory equipment
Animal trainer or veterinary technician -- Dog obedience trainer, behavior problem consultant
Automobile mechanic -- Can visualize how the entire car works
Computer-troubleshooter and repair -- Can visualize problems in computers and networks
Small appliance and lawnmower repair -- Can make a nice local business
Handcrafts of many different types such as wood carving, jewelry making, ceramics, etc.
Laboratory technician -- Who modifies and builds specialized lab equipment
Web page design -- Find a good niche market can be done as freelance work
Building trades -- Carpenter or welder. These jobs make good use of visual skills but some people will not be able to do them well due to motor and coordination problems.
Video game designer -- Stay out of this field. Jobs are scarce and the field is overcrowded. There are many more jobs in industrial, communications business and software design computer programming. Another bad thing about this job is exposure to violent images.
Computer animation -- Visual thinkers would be very good at this field, but there is more competition in this field than in business or industrial computer programming. Businesses are recruiting immigrants from overseas because there is a shortage of good programmers in business and industrial fields.
Building maintenance -- Fixes broken pipes, windows and other things in an apartment complex, hotel or office building
Factory maintenance -- Repairs and fixes factory equipment

Table 3

Good Jobs for Non-Visual Thinkers: Those who are good at math, music or facts

Accounting -- Get very good in a specialized field such as income taxes
Library science -- reference librarian. Help people find information in the library or on the Internet.
Computer programming -- Less visual types can be done as freelance work
Engineering -- Electrical, electronic and chemical engineering
Journalist -- Very accurate facts, can be done as freelance
Copy editor -- Corrects manuscripts. Many people freelance for larger publishers
Taxi driver -- Knows where every street is
Inventory control -- Keeps track of merchandise stocked in a store
Tuning pianos and other musical instruments, can be done as freelance work
Laboratory technician -- Running laboratory equipment
Bank Teller -- Very accurate money counting, much less demand on short-term working memory than a busy cashier who mostly makes change quickly
Clerk and filing jobs -- knows where every file is
Telemarketing -- Get to repeat the same thing over and over, selling on the telephone. Noisy environment may be a problem. Telephone sales avoids many social problems.
Statistician -- Work in many different fields such as research, census bureau, industrial quality control, U.S. Dept. of Agriculture, etc.
Physicist or mathematician -- There are very few jobs in these fields. Only the very brilliant can get and keep jobs. Jobs are much more plentiful in computer programming and accounting.

Table 4

Jobs for Nonverbal People with Autism or People with Poor Verbal Skills

Reshelving library books -- Can memorize the entire numbering system and shelf locations
Factory assembly work -- Especially if the environment is quiet
Copy shop -- Running photocopies. Printing jobs should be lined up by somebody else
Janitor jobs -- Cleaning floors, toilets, windows and offices
Restocking shelves -- In many types of stores
Recycling plant -- Sorting jobs
Warehouse -- Loading trucks, stacking boxes
Lawn and garden work -- Mowing lawns and landscaping work
Data entry -- If the person has fine motor problems, this would be a bad job
Fast food restaurant -- Cleaning and cooking jobs with little demand on short-term memory
Plant care -- Water plants in a large office building

30 Great Jobs for People on the Autism Spectrum

As more and more individuals with autism enter the workforce, it is becoming clear that finding just the right job presents a bit of a challenge. That’s why we began researching 30 ideal jobs for people on the autism spectrum. Because each person is unique, and no one’s experience with autism is the same, we included on our list a variety of jobs, from janitor to veterinarian. While some will be most suitable for those who may be non-verbal or who have additional challenges, others will be most appropriate for those with high-functioning autism or Asperger’s. However, all of our listed jobs were recommended to us by those on the autism spectrum. We’ve even included the average salary for each job, according to PayScale. Keep scrolling for 30 ideal jobs for people on the autism spectrum!

Accountant

Average Salary: $51,024
For the high-functioning person with autism who enjoys crunching numbers, the job of accountant is ideal. Accountants usually work for companies, but sometimes work for themselves. Tasks include:

managing budgets
filing taxes
keeping balance sheets
creating sales and cash flow reports, to name a few.

Actuary

Average Salary: $90,264
Actuaries are analysts for insurance companies. They use statistical analysis to determine how insurance companies can stay financially healthy, how likely an accident is to occur, and what types of policies should cost more than others. People who become actuaries typically work in office environments, have a good head for numbers and large amounts of data, and enjoy statistics.

Architect

Average Salary: $66,120
Those who enjoy building and designing are sure to like the idea of becoming an architect. An architect designs and develops structures like houses and buildings. An architect must be organized enough to work on multiple projects at once, skilled enough to communicate with a team, and disciplined enough to ensure accurate designs.

Auditor

Average Salary: $56,244
If you like mathematics and are skilled enough with numbers to catch errors, then the job of auditor might be ideal. Many auditors are self-employed, while others work for companies and the government. Auditors are responsible for checking the accuracy of:

business records
municipal records
financial records.

Automotive Technician

Average Salary: $49,902
Love cars? Good with your hands? Then how about a job as an automotive technician? Automotive technicians perform routine repairs and maintenance on vehicles. They may work at an auto repair shop, a car dealership, or have their own business. While some interaction with customers may be necessary, most of the job is working alone on the car or truck.

Carpenter

Average Salary: $48,372
The carpentry profession is great for anyone who enjoys building, working with their hands, and spending time outdoors. Carpenters create the wooden products that are used to build structures, doors, window frames, and furniture, among other things. Required skills include:

working with tools
basic math proficiency
the ability to read blueprints.

Cashier

Average Salary: $22,500
A cashier at a retail store or a grocery store is one of the most popular jobs for people on the autism spectrum. Though it involves interaction with customers, the job also follows a routine, and varies very little. The happiest cashiers are those who find jobs at their favorite places.

Caterer

Average Salary: $36,787
There are lots of people on the autism spectrum who enjoy cooking. Baking, which requires strict adherence to a recipe, is especially popular among those with ASD. For someone who would like to make a career out of this interest, then the role of caterer is a great option. Caterers must work with customers to develop and create a menu for:

wedding receptions
baby showers
business conferences
other special events.

If catering interests you, but you’re intimidated by customer service, consider applying for jobs in a bakery or at a restaurant.

Computer Programmer

Average Salary: $62,841
Best for those with high-functioning autism or Asperger’s Syndrome, being a Computer Programmer is ideal for anyone who enjoys:

coding
designing software
playing with computers

Computer programmers typically work in office settings, where they code or write computer software, then troubleshoot and debug that software.

Data Analyst

Average Salary: $60,123
Data analysts look at large amounts of data on a particular topic, then use that data to form conclusions and create charts or reports. Mathematical skills are necessary, as is being comfortable with programs like Excel, SharePoint, and SQL databases. Though data analysts must be able to work with clients and managers, a good portion of their work is done on their own.

Data Entry Clerk

Average Salary: $33,402
The job of data entry clerk is common common among those on the autism spectrum. People with ASD appreciate that this job rarely requires anything more than a high school diploma. Plus, the work is solitary and does not vary much from day to day, meaning it’s easy to stick to a comfortable routine. Data entry clerks are employed by companies, and tasks include:

entering information into a computer database
transcribing information from recordings
keeping data rosters up to date.

Dog Trainer

Average Salary: $35,722
A dog trainer is a great job choice for any person with autism who loves to spend time with animals. While most dog trainers work with private clients to train puppies and adult dogs in basic manners, others work with dogs who need to overcome fear or bad habits. Others train dogs for movies and television.

Financial Analyst

Average Salary: $60,526
Another ideal job for a person who’s skilled in mathematics is that of financial analyst. Financial analysts study marketplace trends and demographics, and help their employer make smart investments. Organization and attention to detail are important skills for a financial analyst to have, as tasks include:

creating budgets
reports
doing analysis.

Forensic Science Technician

Average Salary: $49,490
If the thought of blood, gore, and bodies doesn’t bother you, then consider pursuing a job as a forensic science technician. Forensic science technicians work for police departments. They work with forensic scientists to gather and analyze crime scenes. A forensic science technician is responsible for:

observing evidence
preparing diagrams
writing reports.

Gardener

Average Salary: $36,248
A job as a gardener is an excellent choice for anyone who enjoys spending time outside and working with their hands to create natural beauty. Most gardeners are self-employed, or work for small landscaping companies. Others are employed by schools, businesses, or a city’s Parks and Recreation department. Tasks include:

mowing
planting flowers
weeding
trimming hedges.

Janitor

Average Salary: $28,989
Janitors are an integral addition to any school or office setting. They are responsible for:

cleaning floors
removing garbage
maintaining restrooms and kitchens
making minor repairs

Many people are drawn to the role of janitor because it involves working by one’s self, and does not usually require anything more than a high school diploma.

Journalist

Average Salary: $40,390
For those with an interest in current events and a good grasp of the English language there is journalism. Journalists can work for:

websites
news organizations
newspapers

Though researching and writing articles is typically done on one’s own, the job often includes interviewing a variety of people.

Librarian

Average Salary: $50,167
A librarian may be the perfect job for the book lover with autism! Librarians may work at:

a public library
a government library
a school or university library

Librarians are typically responsible for maintaining the library’s collections, organizing documents, and checking books in and out.

Mechanical Engineer

Average Salary: $70,427
To be a mechanical engineer, a person must be skilled in the use of software and have good problem-solving skills. We think this describes a lot of people on the autism spectrum! Mechanical engineers help plan and manufacture new types of products. So they must also work well on, and communicate with, a team. For this reason, the job of mechanical engineer may be best suited for those with high-functioning autism or Asperger’s.

Medical Lab Technician

Average Salary: $55,298
To be medical lab technician, one must be interested in anatomy and medical science, have good organizational skills, and be unafraid of things like blood and urine. Lab techs work with people of all ages and backgrounds, and collect samples that need to be tested. Then, they use microscopes and other tools to test those samples.

Meteorologist

Average Salary: $55,129
While most people think of the weather person on their local news station when they see “meteorologist,” the vast majority of meteorologists do not present their findings to a live television audience. Rather, they make observations and predictions about the weather, study historical data, and create weather-related graphs. Then, they present their findings to:

television meteorologists
newspapers
farmers
other groups.

Paralegal

Average Salary: $48,132
Paralegals research all sorts of legal, business, and regulatory information for the lawyers they work for. Other tasks include filing documents, and accompanying lawyers to client meetings and court as a sort of assistant. Paralegals must be very organized, have an excellent command of reading and writing, and be comfortable asking a series of questions to potential clients.

Photographer

Average Salary: $46,179
Those on the autism spectrum who enjoy being creative and taking photographs may do very well as a photographer. Most photographers work for themselves, so their hours, clients, and work load are entirely up to them. While some photographers photograph nature or places for magazines, stock photo websites, or websites, others take photos of:

weddings
families
new babies
graduations.

Plumber

Average Salary: $53,208
Everyone needs a plumber at some point! Though it requires some talking with clients, most of what a plumber does is done in solitude — ideal for the plumber with ASD who would prefer less interaction. Plumbers install and maintain water systems in homes and other buildings. Common tasks include:

installing new systems
cutting new pipes
fixing toilets and appliances.

Software Engineer

Average Salary: $85,009
Those who enjoy computers, codes, and working [mostly] alone might really like the idea of being a software engineer. Software engineers are typically the people who help to develop different software functions as created by the software design team. Working with programmers and coders is a must, though software engineers are bound to have lots of time building and testing functions on their own.

Software Tester

Average Salary: $56,170

Software testers are the ones responsible for testing new software programs before they are sent to clients or made available to the public. The job typically consists of running automated and manual test to ensure the software is free of bugs. For this reason, an interest in computers and programming is vital.

Technical Writer

Average Salary: $57,757
Technical writers are the people responsible for writing instruction manuals and other documents that communicate technical information. They often work in office settings and are employed by companies. Other times, they work from home. Successful technical writers must be organized and have a good command of language.

Veterinarian or Veterinary Technician

Average Salary: $80,396 (veterinarian), $33,699 (Veterinary Technician)
Because many people on the autism spectrum love and feel comfortable around animals, the jobs of veterinarian and veterinary technician were recommended to us over and over again as great jobs for people with autism. While a veterinarian is the main doctor for animals big and small, a veterinary technician meets each animal first and charts its weight, symptoms, and any concerns its owner may have.

Video Game Designer

Average Salary: $64,482
Because lots of people — including many on the autism spectrum! — enjoy playing video games, the job of video game designer is an intriguing one. Video game designers use computers and gaming systems to create playable games for others. Usually, the job involves:

coming up with an idea
assisting in its design
testing it to be sure it’s free of all bugs before release.

Writer

Average Salary: $49,533
Anyone who has a good grasp of the English language can find a way to make a living as a writer. While most people think of writers as those who write books, that’s not always the case. Many writers make their living as freelancers — that is, those who write articles, web content, and other pieces for:

websites
magazines
newspapers
businesses
anyone else who needs something written.

Temple Grandin: "Choosing the Right Career for People with Autism or Asperger's Syndrome"

Career choices should be made to maximize the strengths of people with autism or Asperger's Syndrome. Both high-functioning and low-functioning people have poor short-term working memory, but their long-term memory is often better than most people. I find it difficult to cope with tasks that place high demands on short-term working memory. I can't handle multiple tasks at the same time. Table 1 lists examples of BAD jobs that are not suitable for me at all. Table 2 lists examples of suitable jobs for visual thinkers like myself that do not require math skills. Many jobs suitable for visual thinkers also work well for people with dyslexia.

The visual thinking occupations in Table 2 do not require fast information processing in short-term working memory. However, they make full use of my visual thinking and great long-term memory. Table 3 provides examples of careers for non-visual thinkers who have an aptitude for numbers, facts, or music. They are also associated with low short-term working memory requirements and use excellent long-term memory. Table 4 provides examples of jobs for low-functioning people with autism that they can excel at. With all types of autism and Asperger's syndrome, it is necessary to maintain low requirements for short-term working memory. If I were a computer, then I would have a huge hard drive that holds 10 times more information than a regular computer, but a very small processor. Using computer terminology 1999 years old, I have 1000 gigabytes of hard drive and 286 processor. Ordinary people may only have 10 gigabytes of hard disk space and a Pentium as a processor. I can't do two or three things at the same time.

Some professional advice for people with autism or Asperger's Syndrome:

Work must have a clearly defined goal or end result.
Sell your work, not your personality. Create a portfolio with examples of your work.
Your boss must recognize your social limitations.

It is very important that high-functioning autistic people and people with Asperger's syndrome try to get a degree in the field in which they are going to work. Computer majors are a good choice because many of the best programmers have either Asperger's syndrome or some of its traits. Other good majors include accounting, library science, arts with a focus on commercial arts, and drafting. Majors such as history, political science, business, philology, or advanced mathematics should be avoided. However, it is possible to combine a degree in archiving with a degree in history, but a degree in archiving will make it easier to find a good job.

Some people might be encouraged to start studying drawing, programming, or commercial art as early as high school. This will help them increase their motivation and become a refuge from the ridicule of others. It can be difficult for low-income families to get a computer for a child to learn how to code or draw with a computer. You can try to get used computers at a low price or for free, for example, from a hardware refurbishment company. What many people don't know is that schools, banks, factories, and other organizations can have outdated computers sitting idle. It may not be a modern model, but it will fit for training.

In conclusion, people with Asperger's or autism have to compensate for low social skills by being so successful in their specialty that people "buy" their professional skills even though they have low social skills. That is why it is so important to make a good portfolio of your work. You will need to learn a few social skills to survive, but you can find work friends where you share common interests with people in the same profession. All my social life is somehow connected with my work. I am friends with those people with whom I am engaged in a common interesting business.

Table 1

Poor occupations for people with high functioning autism or Asperger's syndrome: occupations with high demands on short-term working memory

Cashier in a store - the need to give change quickly overloads short-term working memory too much
Chef cooking to order - need to keep track of different orders and cook different dishes at the same time
Waiter - especially difficult to keep track of different tables
Croupier - lots of details to pay attention to
Taxi Fleet Dispatcher - Lots of details to pay attention to
Shorthand - not suitable for people with auditory processing problems
Airline Agent - Deal with angry people whose flights were canceled
Futures trading - basically impossible
Air traffic controller - too high information overload and stress
Receptionist and telephone operator - there will be problems when there are many calls

Table 2

Good Jobs for Visual Thinkers

Computer programming is a large labor market with a variety of jobs, especially in industrial automation, software development, business computers, communications, and network systems.
Drafting - engineering drawings and computer aided drawings. This profession offers many opportunities. Drafting is a great starting point for various interesting technical specialties. I know people who started their own drawing business and then moved on to the design and construction of entire factories. To succeed in drawing, you must first learn how to draw by hand. It has been my observation that most people who are great at drawing on a computer learned how to draw by hand first. People who have never learned to draw by hand tend to forget important details.
Commercial art - The advertising industry and periodicals can offer a lot of freelance work.
Photography - photography, video, television may be freelance work.
Equipment Design - In many industries, a person can start as a draftsman and then move on to the design of production equipment.
Animal Trainer or Veterinary Technician - Canine School Trainer or Animal Behavior Consultant.
Auto mechanic - can visually represent the operation of the entire machine.
Computer repair - can visually represent problems in computers and networks.
Minor repairs - there is an opportunity to create your own small business.
Various crafts - woodcarving, jewellery, ceramics, etc.
Laboratory Technician - Modifies and creates specialized laboratory equipment.
Web designer is a good job market for freelancing.
Construction trades - carpenter or welder. These jobs require good visual skills, but these professions are contraindicated for people with motor and coordination problems.
Game Developer – Need to stand out in this market as it is crowded with job seekers. More jobs can be found in industrial, communications or software development. Another disadvantage is that this profession can be associated with images of violence.
Computer Animation - Visual thinkers can excel in this field, but it's even more competitive than business or computer programming. Companies are hiring immigrants because good programmers are still in short supply.
Maintenance of buildings - repair of pipes, windows and other items of a residential complex, hotels or offices.
Maintenance of the state of factories - repair of production equipment.

Table 3

Good careers for non-visual thinkers: those with a knack for math, music or facts

Accounting - one can be very successful in specialized areas such as taxation.
Librarianship - librarian-consultant. Helping people find information in the library or the Internet.
Computer programming - its less visual varieties, you can work as a freelancer.
Engineering - work with electricity, electronics or in the field of chemistry.
Journalist - careful handling of facts can be an advantage, you can work as a freelancer.
Editor-proofreader - editing texts. Many people work as freelancers for major publishers.
Taxi driver - can know exactly where every street is.
Warehouse control - keeps track of everything that is stored in the warehouse.
Tuning pianos and other musical instruments - you can work as a freelancer.
Laboratory Technician - responsible for laboratory equipment.
Bank teller - accurately counts money, less requirement for short-term working memory than a teller who must give change quickly.
Clerk and archiving - knows exactly where each document is.
Telephone marketing - you need to repeat the same thing during telephone sales. Very noisy environments can be a problem. Telephone sales avoid many social problems.
Statistician - can work in a variety of fields, including science, industrial quality control services, government departments and so on.
Physicist or mathematician - there are very few jobs in these areas. Only the most gifted can find and keep a job. There are more jobs in computer programming and accounting.

Table 4

Occupations for non-verbal people with autism or people with low verbal skills

Book shelving in the library - can remember the entire accounting system and the location of the shelves.
Factory assembled - especially in a quiet and peaceful environment.
Copying - working with a copier.
Janitor - washing floors, toilets, windows and cleaning in offices.
Processing factories - sorting work.
Warehouse work - unloading trucks, stacking boxes.
Landscaping - lawn mowing and similar work.
Data entry - not suitable for people with severe motor problems.
Fast food restaurants - cleaning and cooking if there is no short term memory requirement.
Plant care - watering plants in large office buildings.

The above material is a translation of "Choosing the Right Job for People with Autism or Asperger's Syndrome".

What skills do people with Asperger's Syndrome need to get a job?

10/20/13

Tips for socializing and organizing in the workplace for people with developmental disabilities

Posted by Katie Schwartz

5

Translation: Anna Kondratieva
Source: Specialism

knowledge and high results in their areas of interest.

1. Social language skills (pragmatic aspect of speech)

However, there are two areas where people with Asperger's have difficulty. The first area is pragmatic or social language skills. This includes eye contact, the ability to make and receive compliments, the ability to say “no” correctly in various situations, the ability to understand non-verbal signs, including body language, the ability to draw conclusions from the received speech information (understand the “unspoken message”). Such skills can also be impaired in the presence of distracting noises or even the simplest repetitive sounds, such as the ticking of a clock.

There are many ways to improve these skills, depending on what is difficult. For example, it's better to say "Your work is easy to read and clearly presented" than just "Good job."

— People who have to work in noisy environments can use earplugs, earmuffs, or a headset that connects to a white noise generator or nothing at all.
- People who have difficulty making eye contact may learn to look at the speaker's forehead, making direct eye contact difficult.

- During a conversation, a mentor or colleague should clearly signal a change of topic. For this, expressions like: "One more question ....", "There is another aspect to this case ...", "And we could also do this ...".

- People with Asperger's should pay attention to all sorts of details of office culture, such as the need to bring a pound of coffee or something for tea once a month for the office coffee maker.

- They must pay close attention to how others dress in order to dress appropriately.

- Mentors or colleagues can help them with this and explain how it is customary to behave in a particular office, writing this information in a note or notepad with instructions for behavior in the workplace.

2. Self-Organization Skills

The second area where people with disabilities may have difficulty is organization skills, that is, the ability to plan tasks, sequence steps, and execute them.

- For example, he or she plans to have dinner with a colleague or client. Once the date and location are set, he or she must call their colleague or client, agree on the time, date and location, and sometimes reserve a table over the phone in advance.

- Then you should take the time to choose clothes and put yourself in order and to get to the meeting point on time. In a busy environment, it can sometimes be difficult to prepare paperwork on time and allocate time for a meeting.

— Difficulties can also be associated with the correct organization of time.

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