ASD & The Job Interview

Help is on the way…

• For all of us, understanding the real world dynamics between employer/employee is crucial in terms of interviewing for a job. For adults with an autism-spectrum disorder, this is even more important. Recently, Don Teolis has begun a collaborative effort with the NY based organization “the Queue project” (www.newqueue.org) to expand their training efforts and include a special Job Interviewing Skills module.

•  • Individuals with ASDs face a more difficult challenge in trying to grasp the

image they must strive to convey to a prospective employer during the interview process. The new Interviewing Skills module implemented by Don Teolis in his role with Queue and their affiliates is geared toward preparing students to react to interview questions in an appropriate, as well as impressive manner. Others are developing similar programs. For example, there is a new virtual computer program named "Molly," created by SIMmersion, which is focused on helping young autistic adults train for jobs and job interviews. “Parts of the job-seeking process can be missed or misinterpreted by people with autism. They may not engage in small talk to ingratiate themselves to colleagues or employers. Networking can make them anxious.” Overcoming obstacles such as these is the key to helping individuals with ASD to conquer the job Interview challenge.

•  • Don Teolis is a program advisor for the Queue project and an advocate for those

with special needs and ASDs. (www.autismatic.org)

www.autismatic.org <> www.newqueue.org