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In Working While Autistic, Wendela Whitcomb Marsh delves into the challenges and triumphs autistic individuals face in the workplace. From acing the initial interview to navigating workplace politics, this is the handbook you need to get your career in gear. Employment can be a major challenge for autistic adults, and many are unemployed or underemployed. They may be highly skilled, motivated, and eager to work, but finding and keeping a job seems out of reach. Why is it so difficult?
Working While Autistic offers a blueprint for going from unemployed to happily employed. This book covers:- How to find the right career path
- Six Characters in Search of Employment (fictional autistic folk who illustrate the strategies in each chapter)
- Goalsetting
- Honing your interview skills
- Messages from autistic mentors (actually autistic workers share their wisdom and lived experience)
- And much more!
Dr. Marsh is an award-winning author, sought-after speaker, and founder of Adult Autism Assessment Services, which specializes in late-diagnosed autistic adults, who often struggle to find recognition and acceptance for themselves without the need to mask.
Working while Autistic is also a valuable resource for employers.
Part I: READY TO WORK
Chapter 1: Employability
This chapter discusses the issue of qualified and employable autistic adults who remain unemployed or underemployed. It introduces Six Characters in Search of Employment, fictional autistic folk ranging from an 18-year-old preparing for her future career, to a grandfather seeking post-retirement income. They illustrate the strategies in each chapter.
Chapter 2: Job Skills—Everybody Wants Someone with Skills
There are many skills needed to get and keep your ideal job, and this chapter provides tips for the most important skills to focus on.
Chapter 3: Job Search: The Hunt is On
Not everyone enjoys networking, so this chapter offers a range of other ways to track down the job that is likely to be a good fit for you.Chapter 4: Job Interview—Be Yourself, But Not Like That!
The dreaded job interview! Many extremely capable autistic people find it difficult to get past the interview so they can show how well they can do the job. This chapter offers the strategies and preparation tips that you need.
PART II: ON THE JOB
Chapter 5 You’re Hired! Now What?Getting the job is the first step. Now you need to know what it takes to keep your dream job rather than succumbing to early burnout or serial employment, going from one job to another. This chapter takes you past your first day with long-term employment strategies.
Chapter 6 Your Work Ethic: Learn to HERD CATS
Work ethic is complex and can seem as difficult as trying to herd cats. This chapter offers tips to focus on to keep your work ethic at the top of your game. HERD stands for Honesty, Excellence, Responsibility, and Discipline. CATS stands for Communication, Accepting Authority, Teamwork, and Solution-focused.
Chapter 7: Your Rights: Accommodations & Advocacy
Once you have your job, learn the best ways to advocate for your rights to accommodations. This chapter will help and can mean the difference between a short term job that burns you out, and maintaining long-term employment that meets your needs.
Chapter 8 Your Kryptonite: Office Politics
Office politics can diminish your ability to do your best work the way kryptonite weakens Superman. The tips in this chapter will help you keep from getting caught up in it.
PART III: PIVOT
Chapter 9 You’re Fired! Bounce Back
Nearly everyone gets fired at one point in their career. Don’t let it get you down. This chapter will help you get through it and on with your next, better job.
Chapter 10: I Quit! Pivot and Proceed
Not every job will be right for you. Sometimes you reach the end of your rope with a job, and you know it’s time to quit. You’ll need a plan to make quitting a positive move forward in your career, not a catastrophe.
Chapter 11: Side Hustle—A Little Something Extra
If your regular job doesn’t provide you with enough money, or enough mental or creative challenge, a side hustle may be right for you. Many artistic folk supplement a boring day job that pays the bill with a creative, fulfilling side hustle that feeds their soul.
PART IV: RETIREMENT AND BEYOND
Chapter 12: Retirement Planning
It’s never too soon to start planning for your retirement. This chapter offers paths toward financial stability later. Future You will thank you.
Chapter 13 The Adventure Continues…
This final chapter includes the rest of the story for each of our Six Characters in Search of Employment, and how their lives worked out. There are also words of wisdom from actually autistic mentors sharing stories and advice from their lives. Getting in the last word: You’ve got this!