Developing Workplace Skills for Young Adults with Autism Spectrum Disorder

Michelle Rigler, EdD, is Director of the Disability Resource Center at The University of Tennessee at Chattanooga and Director of the Mosaic Program for students with Autism Spectrum Disorder on which the BASICS Curriculum is based. Amy Rutherford, M.Ed, is Assistant Director and an instructor for the Disability Resource Center's Mosaic Program for students with Autism Spectrum Disorder at the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga. Emily Quinn, M.Ed, is Interim Assistant Director of the Disability Resource Center and serves in the role of coach and instructor for the Mosaic Program for Students with Autism Spectrum Disorder at the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga.

Introduction. 1. Finding your professional niche. Lesson 1: Neurodiversity in the workplace. Lesson 2: Finding a company that works for you. Lesson 3: Creating your optimal work environment. Lesson 4: Professional tool for professional niche development. 2. The interview. Lesson 1: Preparation. Lesson 2: Making the connection. Lesson 3: Follow up. Lesson 4: Professional tool for scripting common interview responses. 3. Disclosure and self-advocacy. Lesson 1: Legal protection and accommodations. Lesson 2: Art of disclosure. Lesson 3: Tell your own story. Lesson 4: Professional tool for navigating disclosure. 4. Professional workplace structure. Lesson 1: Understanding professional communication. Lesson 2: Communication strategies. Lesson 3: Navigating professional miscues. Lesson 4: Professional tool for managing workplace communication. 5. Stress management. Lesson 1: Understanding responsibilities and identifying stressors. Lesson 2: Managing your environment. Lesson 3: Responding to stress in the workplace. Lesson 4: Professional tool for managing stress. 6. Collaboration and teamwork. Lesson 1: The purpose of teamwork. Lesson 2: Individual contributions. Lesson 3: Conflict resolution. Lesson 4: Professional tool for defining your role on a team. 7. Water cooler culture. Lesson 1: The hidden rules. Lesson 2: Learning through casual interactions. Lesson 3: Joining the culture. Lesson 4: Professional tool for creating social rules. 8. Career progression. Lesson 1: Starting over is okay. Lesson 2: Ongoing professional development. Lesson 3: Evaluation and feedback. Lesson 4: Professional tool for professional development. 9. Next steps. Appendix A: Back to BASICS chart/professional example. Appendix B: Guided discussion. Appendix C: Resume tools. Appendix D: Sample interview questions. Bibliography.