"Are there some careers that people with Aspergers Syndrome do well in compared to others? My son (high functioning) will graduate from high school in a few weeks, and I am feeling a bit concerned about his future. His one and only interest currently is computers."
Because adults with Aspergers (High-Functioning Autism) have normal to high intelligence, they often go into some very interesting and lucrative careers when they get older. In many cases, the field they enter is related to one or more of those things they were fixated on as a child. For example, if an Aspergers child has a fixation on the weather, he or she can think about a career in meteorology.
Because adults with Aspergers (High-Functioning Autism) have normal to high intelligence, they often go into some very interesting and lucrative careers when they get older. In many cases, the field they enter is related to one or more of those things they were fixated on as a child. For example, if an Aspergers child has a fixation on the weather, he or she can think about a career in meteorology.
Other careers include working in the music industry. Aspergers individuals often develop striking musical abilities and can then work in this field as a later career.
Careers involving mathematics or science are also common in Aspergers. This can include becoming an accountant, working in economics or scientific research, working as a university professor or other mathematical or scientific area. Often, the interest in math and science are natural gifts for these children, and the transition from avocation to vocation is usually a seamless one.
Careers in writing are not uncommon for Aspergers individuals. Writing is a solitary task, and often times, the Aspergers individual can learn to use words on a page to create books, articles and other material that overcomes their natural need to think in pictures.
Usually, the process of exploring careers needs to be done sooner for Aspies than with other individuals. Talking with guidance and career counselors is a good idea in order to explore possible options. Tours of different careers or shadowing a scientist or mathematician may help the Aspergers adolescent to get an idea of which type of career would be the best for him/her.
Older Aspergers teens should be doing plenty of reading about careers and jobs specific to those with Aspergers. Two books, Aspergers Syndrome Employment Workbook: An Employment Workbook for Adults with Aspergers Syndrome (paperback) and Employment for Individuals with Aspergers Syndrome and Non-Verbal Learning Disability by Yvona Fast are available in some bookstores or at www.amazon.com. There are plenty of ideas as to how to begin searching for an appropriate career in these publications.
There is nothing to limit a young person to just the areas listed above. Many Aspies have found success in other areas of employment. Pay attention to your child’s strengths and weaknesses, as well as the interests he/she exhibits.
15 comments:
Here are the facts:
-I have Asperger Syndrome
-I am a 23 year old guy
-I am in my last year of grad school doing an internship.
-I had a strong interest in many natural sciences as a younger child.
-I am an Eagle Scout.
-I was frequently bullied by others in middle school.
-I started my first year of college as a biology major.
-----HOWEVER-----
I am NOT a Rocket Scientist and
I am NOT a Zookeeper;
I am a Social Worker.
I don't technically have an established career or license just yet, but I have an internship and I'm getting real close. Since my first year of college I have experienced many emotional changes, and I realized that my place in society is to give direct help to those who cannot help themselves. It is my job in society to prevent young and innocent lives from being lost and destroyed. I have volunteered and worked for several different afterschool programs, helping agencies, and day camps. My internship is with a children's mental health consultative services in my home state, and even though so far it's been emotionally hardcore, I have no intentions of turning back.
My point is there may be some genetics involved in this disorder, and there may be some common patterns, but I really believe that people with Asperger's syndrome and other forms of autism on the high functioning end of the Autistic Spectrum actually CAN do things that many people believe they can't or deliberately don't do. Don't get me wrong, my own family, as well as many close others were shaming me into going back to the science field, and it made me feel very useless, but I simply refused to go back. They have long given up on their quest to get me "back on track" (so to speak) because they finally came to realize that their resistance and my own deficits together were just no match for my passion.
I'm not advising those out there to enter this field or not enter it, but if you feel passionate about a cause of some kind, there has got to be a way you can fight for it. Though I wouldn't suggest discussing religion in your job, God really does work in mysterious ways. LOL
I really admire what you just said
Here are my facts:
I am a 19 year old girl with Aspergers
I just dropped out of college
I really want to help people and want a career that supports this
I hate the asperger stereotypes
I'm thinking of doing a career in social care
I completely relate to your situation
I'm the parent of an 11-year-old boy with Aspergers, and I'd be extremely proud if he followed in your steps alpinekodiak. One of the things I love about my son is that he is a very caring person and has a keen sense of justice. That sense of justice is just as much a characteristic of Aspergers as being a science nerd (no offence intended to all you scientists out there!) Good on you.
I was wondering about good jobs for me. I have Asperger's, anxiety and a bit of OCD as well. (Not an uncommon combination, but the disorders don't go well together). I am not very good with animals, and not all that good at math either. Though I am interested in some aspects, I don't think I'd be able to be anything in a science field. There is too much math. (Also, to enter a university or college course, you have to have high marks in advanced math courses, which I don't think I am capable of achieving). I am in grade 11 at school, and they starting to talk about jobs. I really I'm stuck. I am bad at math and don't have the best social skills either. What is a job that doesn't require either?
Special Interest; I do special interests, but they are either:
-Something I am interested in, but not very good at (like cats)
-Something that doesn't have a skill attached to it (like a musician/musical group)
I seriously think half my professors in college were somewhere on the spectrum. Computers is a good interest to have though!
IT is definitely filled with Aspies... very little social interaction and they can control their environment to a great extent....I would encourage him to follow his interest! Look at Steve Jobs! My mother read his biography and is sure he was Aspie! :)
I had the same concern's. My son is finishing his first year of college and it has been a struggle. But we learned alot. He is talking computer's as well.
My son is in year 7 & wants to be an accountant,he plans on going to uni.going to support him all the way & so hope his dreams come true.
My son is going on 12 and his interest is still Pokemon. Yikes!
my husband has a/s +o,c,d+a,d,h,d,his passion in life is trasvel and transport,he is a bus/coachdriver and very happy,his twin also has a/s ,she writes books,non fiction,had many published,other a/s in family have careers in accountancy/concervation/nursing/breeding and showing cats and dogs to high leval,just follow your dream,
my boys 12 & hes still into pokemon,moshi monsters & ps3 games lol x
My son is 10 going on 30. He too is consumed by Pokemon which drives us all crazy! If the subject on Mastermind was Pokemon, he would win hands down. But, I have high hopes for him in anything he chooses to do. He will need a lot of support and encouragement, but as long as he has a keen interest in it, he will do well. I'm sure most of the consultants I've dealt with have A.S.! Jeanne
if his only interst is commputer a nd he is good at it,then he must go for career in it,with my aspergers family,husband/in laws and daughters,the only careers that work are the ones that are thier special interst/obsessuin,my husband adores transport and he is a bus driver,sister in law her obsession is animals,so she ran a zoo and wrote books on animals,very successfully,when my family have followed qualifications or money ,its not worked,but if they follow thier obsession it will work,
This question always puzzles me.
Although Asperger children are in many ways different to others, when choosing a career the approach should be the same: Follow your passions. Follow your interests. Recognise your strengths and weaknesses and choose a career that fits.
Use your common sense when guiding your child and don't steer them into a career choice just because someone said it was "well suited to Aspies".
my husbands family were horrified he wanted to be bus driver,so bullied him into college and work in the city,he hated it,but his family thought as he is so intelligent that bus driving was not good enough,but finaly he got his wish in middle age,yes they are very bright and clever,but often they need rigid timetable and to work alone,so we have found in our aspergers family if they follow thier dream and not money or qualifications,then all is good,our oldest a/s daughter went with her head and not her heart,ended up in high powered job and had total breakdfown,so as they all have different hobbys and obsessions its different for every one,but most in our family work in transport/animal welfare/conservation/accountancy/I T ,so let them follow thier dream,
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