Just saw the message from a Michigan family...
Judson Center Autism Connections in Royal Oak is constantly adding to their supports for adults. We currently DO NOT place people into work. Our supports currently are things like career assessments and job shadows, job club (plus some social things).
www.judsoncenter.org
(disclosure: I work there)

Carol, Julia: i think I may have AS. I have been told I belabor topics. Some co-workers say that my "tone" is rude, and that I tend to follow rules too much. I am just not saying too much anymore.

Hi ! I have a comment to Julia Moore (9-10-07) Dear Julia: I was diagnosed w/ASP about 4 or 5 years ago, and am also in a clerical job, having problems; I have always HAD problems with jobs, as they have been within organizations. The difference? I am 54! But I have a support person specializing in employment support - being very fortunate there. My biggest problem is in "reading" what others are saying/indicating w/body language, & knowing what is expected of me. I have trouble generalizing. Working in a hospital, (even a lame one like mine, going through management problems!) I can say: listen, I have perception difficulties, can you please explain this to me, spell it out so I can make a "rule" to follow? Perhaps you can try that approach with your supervisor, if they are at all understanding. Let me know how you are doing. And cheer up! You found out early you had Aspergers -- I only found out after I was 45!!! Knowledge is power -- you can have insight on the way you think, and understand yourself better. This is a very good thing, trust me. It is better than going for years clueless, or having people not believe you, because your 'symptoms' were a little this, a little that, with no consistency! Does Michigan have any sort of state insurance if you fall under a minimum income? Do you qualify? Does it have psych counseling benefits? Maybe, if you checked with a reference librarian, they might help you find out -- they are often helpful whereas official people don't take the extra time to help us out. Good luck. (I think I said that, sorry for repeating, I do that).
Carol

Hi. I see that a few of you were able to get a diagnosis. How did you do that? My brother was diagnosed as having high functioning autism as a child but now he is 32 years old and hasn't been able to hold a job at all. My parent's no longer have any of his medical records from when he was a child as well and from what I discovered what would have been available has been distroyed by hurricane Katrina. Do you have any recommendations?

Edited by author 09-10-2007 11:33 AM
Hi All,

I am new to all of this, so please bare with me. I am just about to be diagnosed with Asperger. In addition, I have never been able to get or keep a job and am not sure if I can receive disability insurance(SSI) from the state of Michigan being that I don't have a bad enough case of it. Yet, in the long run of things, I believe that Asperger has and--for the most part--always will be a deterant for me in getting and keeping a job. I am 33 years of age, not benefitied job, have to take 6 different meds, and I am tired of looking for a job at this point. Im not saying that I am giving up, just tired of the run-around I get in interviews and such. Being that this is a verrrrrrrrry hiden disability for myself, no one believes that I realy do want to succeed in my work. My work happens to be clerical.

There is a British organisation called Asperger Technical for people with Asperger syndrome who work in science, engineering, or computing.

http://www.aspergertechnical.org.uk

Looking for students with autism who have graduated or exited high school within the past ten years to fill out a survey on their high school experience and employment history. Parents and guardians who are knowledgeable about the students high school experience are invited to participate.

Click on this link http://www.surveymonkey.com/s.asp?u=284633401755 which will connect you to a survey that is part of a doctoral dissertation to provide information on the major components and settings in public schools that lead to employment for individuals with autism.

Edited by author 03-31-2007 03:17 PM
Hi...I just wanted to say thanks for posting here and especially thanks to those who are promoting and educating on this condition. My brother is 47 years old and was just diagnosed with AS last year. I always knew something wasn't right about him, as we were growing up...but never had a name for it.

He's lived at home with our mother for nearly his entire life. Chaotic work history. Then our mother got sick last year and I had to intervene on her care...and his. I got him started on treatment but he keeps fighting me. Sadly, after so many years of his own negative thoughts & bad habits, it might be too late for him to sucessfully habilitate and integrate into a working society.

Good luck and best wishes to those with children who are trying to do something positive for your children. It's a hard life.

Hi Anne

If you like you can come to a Aspen meeting (Asperger Friends) call me at 908 236 6153. or vist aspen at www.aspennj.org to set up a Aspen Chapter where you live. please let me know if you need more help to set up a chapter. Ask for Matthew Loscialo or Carolyn Loscialo.

Hi,
I live in PA and am looking for parents that have adult children with High Functioning Autism? Although my daughter was diagnosed with AS, I still see her being so different from individuals with AS.
Any help would be appreciated,
Anne

Greetings, well I am actually a yound successful professional. However, it has been brought to my attention through social problems at work that I have little to no social skills, a friend of mine who is a psychologist let me know that I may have some degree of Asperger Syndrome. I am extremely high functioning, two college degrees, and currently earn a six figure income, and I am under 30. I have difficulty holding jobs due to social interactions with colleagues and the lack of what would be considered basic social skills. I need and seek help, is there anyone out there with any ideas? I live in San Diego, from what I understand the region should have excellent resources. Does anyone have any recomendations?

I can also be reached directly at sandiegoreman@walla.com

Many Thanks,
Needs Help San Diego

To: Dennis

please call ask for Matthew or Carolyn Loscialo at 908 236 6153
they can help you.

I'm also looking for an entry level job in Michigan
for my son who was recently, but finally diagnosed with Asperger
and is 24 years old. Would like to find a business group or organization
that has people trained to help individuals like my son get acclimated to
society through a job assistance program.

Dennis Williams

Email: Dennis.Williams@Compuware.Com

Hi Debbie
Please call me at 908 236 6153
sorry it took so long to get back to you.
What state do you live in? There are differce laws for each state. In NJ there is a Independece living for people with asperger friends througt one of the Aspen chapter.
please call me thanks

thanks Matthew and Carolyn Loscialo.

My son did get help to be tested and was helped with tuition to attend a university. He graduated with a BS in computer information systems with a 3.2 GPA. We thought the vocational rehab counselor would help place him in a job. The joke was on us. He is 25 yrs old, and it is 2 yrs. since the graduated. He now wants to destroy his diploma because he says it is just a piece of paper. I tend to agree. We search daily for some type of job, but it seems hopeless. Also tried to get help from this place called Options for Independence. That was 9 months ago. They are useless too. What are we supposed to do if he can't get a job, can't qualify for disability, no one seems to care.

Have you contacted DORS (the Maryland State Department of Rehabilitative Services)? My son (who is 20 and has AS) qualified for services with them several years ago. Their purpose is to assist people with disabilities in getting and holding onto a job. My son is in college now. DORS did a pre-driving assessment for him when he was 17 and gave us some money to pay for extra one-on-one behind the wheel driving lessons (above and beyond the standard 6-hours which we paid for). They pay for training and some other educational expenses depending on financial need--and as long as the education can be shown to relate to gaining employment. Once my son qualified for services from DORS it was also easier to get him qualified for DDA. We have, so far, not actually received a lot in the way of services because so far, he is progressing toward his goal of getting a college degree. But being in the system gives him an opportunity to request assistance if he should need it. Your son should be able to get some assistance in chosing a career path and working toward that goal. I don't know where you live. We live in Calvert County and when we first approached our local DORS office, the staff had very little, if any, knowledge of AS. But our caseworker was very willing to learn and attended several IEP meetings while our son was in high school. (www.dors.state.md.us/dors)

Hope this helps.
Careen