What you wish Social Workers understood about ASD? (Help!!)

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I'm on the "Wellness Committee" where I work. Each month we choose a theme, one of us is assigned that month and then that person has to organize theme-based educational opportunities for our coworkers. Since April is Autism Awareness month, that is our theme and that is my month to handle. The topic is near-and-dear to me for obvious reasons, so I really want to do a decent job.

I'm supposed to:

1. Find an article to run in the company newsletter or write an original one

2. Organize a "Lunch and Learn" for the third Wednesday of the month. (Basically, this is supposed to be an informal seminar or speaker that is scheduled over the lunch hour, when people can sign up and listen to it while they eat lunch.)

3. Send out company-wide "Wellness Wednesday" emails to coworkers. (Articles and information typically taken from the Real Age website we subscribe to, but in my case, I'll have to find others since Real Age doesn't offer autism info).

I have mixed feelings about doing this through the "Wellness Committee" since I don't like viewing autism as a health concern, but jumped at the chance to do some education on the topic. Many of my coworkers are not (yet) educated about autism, which is really unfortunate because we are a nonprofit social services agency and do have clients on the Spectrum.

I already have a few ideas as to what I'd like to do, but want to get input from you guys, too. As far as the "Lunch and Learn," I have not been able to find a good, quality speaker who is willing to take time from their schedule to come down and talk to us for free. So, my plan is to show a few short films about autism, then have an open discussion about what people have learned and try to field any questions they may have.

As far as the "Wellness Wednesday" emails, I'd like to try to 'put a human face' on ASD as much as possible. I plan to send out general information and also spotlight a well-known person with ASD each week. (Who would you spotlight?)

General ideas and comments are welcome, but concrete suggestions for materials (titles of films, links to articles, etc.) are even better. Thanks!!

My first thought is to come up with things that are relevant to the work environment. Do you work for a social services agency?

Yes, it is a nonprofit social services organization that provides services designed to help people with disabilities be as independent as possible and avoid institutionalization. Everything from personal care, to vacational placement, to day programs, to home modifications, to service dogs, etc.

The focus is largely on serving persons with physical disabilties and the elderly, but over the past two years or so, they've been taking 'baby steps' towards autism services, too.

So, this info is going to a variety of people. Mainly social workers and direct care staff, but also general office staff, etc. A few know quite a bit about autism, but most know very little.

Okay, for me . . .

1) I have patchy social skills, excellent in some areas, not so much in others. Lately, I have been working on developing a better 'B game' in some of my weaker areas.

2) I have difficulty with the insincerity of the typical work environment, which many other people seem to take for granted.

3) And no, I can't just pretend to be normal. That's a losing proposition in any case.

4) I tell myself it's about engagement, not conformity.

I see two tracks, providing effective services to autistics and working with autistic coworkers. The first falls under professional development, the second more under improving the work environment. If autistic services are an expanding concern of the company, presenting the information in a manner that lets people see opportunity would likely be well received.

Here are somethings that people have noticed about me on different jobs I have over the years I have 22 years in the work force for better or worse.

1) I hated when people moved things in my workspace or borrowed something then did not put it back where it belonged.

2) I could not stand being patted on the back or hugged

3) A wave would be better accepted than a hand shake.

4) Having to ask to ask for something that was promised in writing like raise always angered me

5) Having someone come into my home to ask me questions always upset me. Questions could have been asked at the door or on the phone.

6) I hate calling someone on the phone you would not believe how much anxiety I would get calling in sick or for information about work.

7) Moving me from one job to another without notice would upset me causing anxiety. But if the job switch was known before hand was a little better.

8 ) Having to deal with unknown customers or delivery guys always caused me anxiety.

9) Having my co-workers shut up about me eating the same thing everyday would have been nice.

10) At the machine shop I worked I would pace around the plant that formed a circle it relaxed me but made co-workers tease me about so I lied to them telling them it was for exercise.

11) I always had a hard time adjusting to new people or rules. Anytype of change caused me anxiety.

12) Having people ask me questions about my personal life always caused me anxiety and paranoia.

13) Letting people know I have social differences and react different from the norm would be handy. People have accused me of being stuck up because of it. People also were upset when I forgot their names or faces.

14) Co-workers wearing Too much perfume would make me almost physically sick and is very distracting.

15) Having interviewers say my lack of eye contact cost me a job has always been my downfall.

16) I needed to write things down like instructions, phone numbers, or something I needed to remember. My bosses knew this so they would remind me to write it down.

Last edited by Todesking on 18 Mar 2011, 5:35 pm, edited 1 time in total.

That you should never confiscate a special interest from a client who's on the spectrum.

I am sorry but what do mean did some employer take something from you?

I'm doing the training at work, but it's not really about ASD and employment specifically. It's just to educate people, in general.

Understood. I'm just suggesting ways that might keep people engaged and interested. People can look at such awareness campaigns as tedious and end up just paying lip service. But if they see early on that there are real implications to THEIR jobs, they become engaged. I guess I'm talking about how you present the information is just as important as what you present. Things like the difference between

"1 in 120 people have autism"
"1 in 120 people have autism and something needs to be done"
"1 in 120 people have autism and we have an opportunity to make a difference"

This is the same information presented three different ways. The first is boring, the second confrontational and the third opens up possibilities.

You could talk about educating employers on the problem of eye contact, that our difficulties with it do not make us untrustworthy. You could explain that eye contact is not even a universal, human thing, just a cultural issue here in the west.

I think it is probably best to avoid spotlighting celebrity autists like Temple Grandin and others that people speculate are on the spectrum, because then it will seem completely alien to the clients you are working with. I would try to focus on people who may have benefited (or be benefiting) from social services you may be able to aspire to offering and are now achieving impressively but not off-the scale one in a million genius types, if you see what I mean.

I think an important idea to communicate to the uninitiated is that intelligence exists on a spectrum. Something I have seen as illuminating to people is that persons with Autism Spectrum Disorders have varying levels of ability. Some are outstanding and have been highlighted in an manner that gives an exclusive, stereotypical view of ASDs, while others are not obviously on the spectrum. That is, I have encountered perceptions that persons with Asperger's Syndrome were necessarily severely handicapped, a view which is challenged by Aspies who are active, communicate well, share interests, et cetera. If you can successfully relate this concept, then I think it will help you to avoid the imperative that it is a health concern. It is only a concern for people who need help, and it shows that everyone deserves due consideration.

Through YouTube, I have met some interesting Aspies, learned about the differences between people on the spectrum, and used some of the videos I found there to educate others. You could try that. I would not necessarily avoid highlighting celebrated auties such as Temple Grandin, as was suggested. Such examples could help bridge the gap between what is relatable between personality types and abilities of different people.

Thanks, all. Lots for me to consider!

I am shamelessly bumping this thread because my deadline's approaching and I just wanted to see if anyone else has additional ideas. Hope that's okay

For all those that do know about autism, it's a safe bet that they know about 'childhood' autism. If your agency will be providing adult services as well, you may need to do some detective work. Adults with autism are some of hte most underserved and, in many places, extremely misunderstood.

You will commonly find posted here that the classic 'aspie's lack empathy' is simply something most do not agree with yet the establishment insists on this. Aspies seem to have very deep emapthic streaks but they are expressed poorly and therefore misunderstood or discounted altogether. Many aspies here will tell you they feel too much and how frustrating it can be - it can be an overload issue for many. Something to keep in mind because many also seem to find services extremely frustrating because of the lack of understanding. It's a vicious circle that needs to be broken.

Learn what 'literal thinking' actually means, in practice. When an aspie says 'I don't know', they probably aren't being evasive or coy... they actually do not know the answer to the question you are asking. Learn to ask questions to clarify in a non judgemental way.

Don't assume all aspies 'want to get better' - many do not see themselves as sick or disabled. Some will want to learn social skills, some may have given up on it because it is simply too difficult to manage and maintain. Even those that learn social skills will tell you - it will never be natural or comfortable and it will always be exhausting to some degree. It is never 'fixed'.

If an aspie is having trouble expressing themselves, offer an alternative method. Let them type out a list or email it or text it. Trying to put feelings into words can simply shut some people down. Most aspies can communicate clearly, concisely and with great insight, just not verbally.

Is that the sort of thing you are looking for?