Occupations for Aspies
What occupations should Aspies pursue? What should Aspies be aware of as they begin or continue their job search? What are some actions on the part of the employer and an Aspie that may help in acquiring a job?
Temple Grandin, in an article for the Indiana Resource Center for Autism (Indiana University Bloomington), came up with the following advise to employers and Aspies along with a couple of lists of occupations that require the skill sets perfect for Aspies.
Jobs should have well-defined goals or endpoints.
The employer must recognize the Aspie employee’s social limitations.
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Sell your work, not your personality.
Make a portfolio of your work.
So, OK. What kinds of jobs am I suited for?
Visual thinkers and those with problems with short-term memory:
- Computer programming
- Drafting
- Commercial art
- Photography
- Equipment designing
- Animal trainer or veterinary technician
- Automobile mechanic
- Computer-troubleshooter and repair
- Small appliance and lawnmower repair
- Handcrafts of many different types
- Laboratory technician
- Web page design
- Building trades
- Video game designer
- Computer animation
- Building maintenance
- Factory maintenance
Non-visual thinkers:
- Accounting
- Library science
- Computer programming
- Engineering
- Journalist
- Copy editor
- Taxi driver
- Inventory control
- Tuning pianos and other musical instruments
- Laboratory technician
- Bank Teller
- Clerk and filing jobs
- Telemarketing
- Statistician
- Physicist or mathematician
For details on each of these occupations and more, please take a look at her article, Choosing the Right Job for People with Autism or Asperger’s Syndrome
