The Asperger Syndrome Workplace Surival Guide.

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I'm just posting this online for anyone who doesn't know about this book yet. The book is called, The Asperger Syndrome Workplace Survival Guide by Barbara Bissonnette. The book is an EXCELLENT guide on how to navigate through the workplace socially. It also gives you tools to figure out how you best take in information on the job.

In my opinion, the book itself is not enough. Wherever you live you need to start getting online and looking for Autism Support Groups in your area. I'm living alone and paying my own bills. I truly had no choice but to do this. As we all know Job Coaches are too expensive for the vast majority of us. These particular professionals are mostly hired out through State Vocational Rehabilitation Agencies. At this point in time there are many well meaning professionals out there who have no idea how Autism affects different people. As we all know it currently covers a wide spectrum.


If you are an adult on the spectrum you have to start reaching out to as many Autism support groups as you can. Tell them your name, where you live, your age, what you've been diagnosed with or what you think you have if you have not been diagnosed. Tell them about the particular problems you are facing and tell them you need help. These people are here to help.


Now the key thing that you want to look for when reaching out for help is this. Does the help actually GET IT? Meaning does your support group have staff on it that either have Autism themselves or are in a situation where they deal with Autism, Asperger Syndrome, or other forms of disabilities ALL DAY LONG.

Does the professional organization or support group you are interested in have sympathy towards your financial situation? Can they offer some form of payment assistance? Are they willing to stick it out with you in the long term? By long term I mean YEARS!!


Now we all know that one size does not fit all at this point in the game. If you can get SOME of those needs serviced by one organization you will have to tell the support group you are in that you have these other needs as well and ask them who you need to contact and talk to in order to get your other needs serviced.

I like the fact that you emphasize that people with Asperger's/autism have to "get out there."

Reading a book is great---but you have to augment what you've read by accumulating real-life experience.

Above all, in job interviews, one has to de-emphasize the existence of ANYTHING which deviates from what's "normal."

I am in Austin... Autism support group is unhelpful. I am not even sure anyone there have aspergers. Thing is, I was hoping that they'd be more understanding of someone with Aspergers and know what to do but all they do is spend time in some cafe (that costs money) and don't really talk about anything remotely helpful. Furthermore the people there are actually less understanding and likeable than NT's when it comes to your problem!

I have few friends but I found it helpful to tell people that I have asperger's, because it "completes the puzzle" and that they are less likely to dismiss me as a lunatic. Plus despite my best effort to hide it they can already tell, so I might as well do that.

As for jobs, I really don't know. I got fired a few times (usually within days) with no better explanation than "poor fit" but if I can make it through the probationary period, I can usually hold the job until I decide it's time to leave. Actually I think my workplace is glad to have people that will stick around and not call in on a whim (they have a huge problem with people quitting and calling in, and it's chronically understaffed). Even managers have stepped down over the frustration of understaffing...

I think I read somewhere that the best thing Aspies can do is go to a good school... this is what I am doing now... going to one of the best Geology school in the world, it should hopefully help.

Yeah I can understand that. The other people in the group at this point care more about their own needs than yours. That is why it is bet to talk with the coach on a one on one basis.

May i ask if you would maybe have the time to kindly post here some "summary advices" that you found in the book (and work)?

In my country, there are no support groups for adults, it looks like if all Aspergers were children...

There are already so many books on my bed side table, that i'm not sure i can add one more...

I'll do my best.

I have no idea how to find a coach without paying a bunch of money though. To me a lot of "asperger's support group" seems more like an exclusive club.

Thanks, planning to check it out at the library.