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My son has autism, not Asperger's, but part of the spectrum in general is the inability to relate socially and need everything to be absolutely concrete/real, rather than abstract. For example, tell them that it's "raining cats and dogs" and they might wonder why the hell a cat would be falling down the sky? So, start from that perspective. What is logical, concrete, real, doesn't require social innuendo.
How are his school grades? Something with repetitive lab work/entry work would probably be suitable. If he doesn't mind being outside, construction/equipment operation/trucking is also a good choice.
Someone can bring up almost any job, and someone will say that it requires you to do this and that with people. There are still jobs that are better for people on the autism spectrum and introverts even if they require a little human interaction. Some types of human interaction are better than others for people who are drained of energy when socializing. I'm not autistic, but I am an introvert. I am terrible at small talk, but I am in my comfort zone when I'm having a deep conversation on a topic of interest. My professor said that most of the professors he's encountered in the social sciences are introverts, but some people will incorrectly argue that it's generally a bad job for introverts. I'm sure one would come across a lot of introverted professors in the STEM fields too. I currently teach college courses and am doing fine.
I work in a library and we have a page (checks in the book drop and shelves books) who is an Aspie. She does just fine, minimal social contact requirements and very concrete job description. Once she gets used to regular employees she is fine with conversation. She is rattled by any change in routine but the boss takes time to help her adjust. Librarians tend to be kind and sensitive people who don't come on too strong.
There are plenty of library jobs that require minimal socialization and use computers and a consistent, organized work flow.
I read an article once about a person with mental disabilities who got a job minding a chicken coop. It was perfect; the work was simple, straightforward, easy to learn, and he was happy. I forget where I read about it, it was a long time ago.
Too bad we are so much less agricultural than we used to be. I'd bet there used to be a lot more jobs like that to accommodate people with these kinds of disabilities.
Too bad we are so much less agricultural than we used to be. I'd bet there used to be a lot more jobs like that to accommodate people with these kinds of disabilities.
My husband and I were just talking about this the other day, our autism son would have made the best farmer's helper. Should've been born 250 years earlier.
I disagree. He sounds like he will have a problem solving complex problems that requires research, asking questions, interacting and working with others to resolve.
I speak from personal experience; I have a son in his 20s with Asperger's. He has a sky high IQ but zero social skills. Computer programming is all he cares about in life. He excels at it but unfortunately it's all he excels at.
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