By Anita Lesko, BSN, RN, MS, CRNA 

I have the good fortune to be a friend of Dr. Temple Grandin. We have a lot in common. We are both autistic, and we share a very similar youth that played a big factor in our adult life. We both started having jobs at a very early age. Temple often talks about her early days, when her job was to greet guests at the door for her mom’s dinner party, and take their coats to hang up. Yes, it was a job. She was given a responsibility to carry out.

Among her numerous other childhood jobs was the one I, too, did for many years — mucking out horse stalls. In conversations with Temple on the phone, we’ve talked about those days of our teenage years spent shoveling out one stall after another. We both love horses and being around them. It was peaceful and it was also a form of therapy. In essence, it was our occupational therapy.

All the childhood jobs we did prepared us for the day when we’d start our careers. We were used to working, showing up on time, following orders from a boss, figuring out how to get a job done. It was just a regular part of our life. So, when the day came to embark into our careers, we really didn’t have to transition into anything. We were already there.

Temple is world-famous for her life and career. She’s beyond amazing! She inspires everyone, autistic or not. I also hope to inspire people with my story and wisdom. I’ve got a lot to offer.

Statistics show that  85 percent of people on the autism spectrum are unemployed or underemployed. That’s a staggering number. I see this to be a very complex situation with multiple factors. One of those factors can be changed by parents. Getting your kid working! Every little chore you have them do around the house is a job. Having them help you set the table, do laundry, tidy up; it’s all working. Once they become a teenager, jobs that have more responsibility are in order. Cutting lawns in the neighborhood, helping elderly neighbors or working at a fast-food restaurant can build the foundation for a child’s future in the workforce.

I can’t remember a time when I wasn’t working. As a young kid, my mom would have me helping her in the kitchen. She’d teach me the art of cooking and baking, and under her close supervision she would give me little jobs to carry out. I would be “assigned” to gather all the ingredients for baking a cake. After I’d assemble everything on the counter, she would stand by me as I followed the recipe and mixed up the batter. Of course safety was always her first concern, so she would use the mixer until I was old enough to be able to safely handle it. Then I’d get to pour the batter into the pan, mom would put it into the oven, she’d take it out, and once cool, I’d put the icing on the cake. I would feel very proud of my accomplishment! I’d be chattering away to her during that whole time, as she was my best friend.

I fell in love with horses around the age of four. It became one of my Special Interests, one that has sustained my entire life. I desperately wanted to learn to ride. Unfortunately, my parents were unable to afford riding lessons for me. When I was 12, I became a working student at a nearby stable. In return for work, you could earn riding lessons. I became quite proficient at mucking out stalls. The more I shoveled, the more riding time I got. I dreamed of jumping horses over big fences in competition. My dream eventually came true, because by the time I was 16, I was jumping horses over six-foot-high fences in some big shows. It was my hard work and perseverance that got me there.

During all those summers and weekends spent at the stable, I not only mucked out stalls, but did other tasks like painting fences, picking rocks out of pastures, emptying trash bins, etc. I was interacting with people, learning to follow orders, knowing the importance of showing up on time, getting a job done, and feeling pride in myself. Little did I know that all of those things were preparing me for my “real” job.

Besides the stable job, once in college I held a variety of other great jobs. I worked as a graphic arts designer at my undergraduate college for the four years I was there. I also worked as a skate guard at a public ice skating arena. I was into ice dancing for a number of years, and because I worked at the arena, it allowed me to get free ice time for practicing. That job also entailed selling tickets at the window for the public skating sessions, making popcorn and hot dogs in the snack shop and other sundry tasks. Again, these jobs were preparing me for my future.

In 1988 I graduated from Columbia University in New York City with my Master of Science in Nurse Anesthesia and embarked on my now 26-year career as a Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist. I’ve been working full time ever since, in a job that’s not for the faint-of-heart. The operating room is a very fast-paced, ever-changing, high stress environment, loaded with massive sensory violations. Most significantly, as I call it, I’m floating in an ocean of neurotypicals! I would have sunk long ago without all the life experiences of those jobs I’d done in my younger days. I would not have been prepared to interact with people, situations, and the job itself. To date I’ve done over 50,000 anesthetics, and as I’ve carefully calculated, I’ve interacted with over one million people. That’s a lot, particularly for an autistic person.

My specialty area in anesthesia is neuroanesthesia, which is anesthesia for neurosurgery cases like aneurysm clippings, brain tumors, spinal fusions and more. It’s highly detailed and complex, just what an autistic person loves.

When I see articles about transitioning from school to work, I wonder why the transition is always such a big deal. I believe work experience should start early and be part of education. Working at a job and all that comes with it should be second nature by the time students graduate. If it isn’t, life will be very stressful, and possibly even unsuccessful. Those 85 percent of us who are unemployed or underemployed might have had a different story if they were prepared to enter the job market. If you have never worked any kind of job as a kid and teenager, nothing can substitute for that lack of life skills.

Being autistic and working at a career-type job is like going to a foreign country, not speaking their language, and trying to survive. To this day, all these years later, I still feel like a foreigner in a strange land. Yet I’ve built enough experience and “learned the language” enough to stay employed and have a successful career. I know without a doubt in my mind that I would never have made it as an anesthetist if I hadn’t had all my previous jobs.

I hope every parent will recognize the importance of teaching their child the skills to succeed at work. Keeping them sheltered is not helpful, and can set them up for failure. The only way to get skilled at socializing, learning responsibility and learning to work is by getting out there and working. The more an autistic individual interacts with others, the better they get at it. Therapists, counselors and the like all have their places in helping those on the autism spectrum. But nothing can substitute for real life experiences. Nothing.

Upon completion of school, going out and seeking a job shouldn’t be a first-time experience. Having to learn a new job is stressful enough. If you are prepared ahead of time with years of life experience, you will be able to use all your energy to focus on the job. If you are also having to learn how to interact with people, how to follow orders and how to get along in the workplace, it may seem insurmountable.

I believe it is a parent’s duty to help prepare their autistic child for the future by giving them chores, then in their teen years getting them out there doing some type of job. Real life experience can only be learned by first-hand experience. Sure, your kid will make blunders. I’ve made plenty, and still do! But I keep going. And they will too. It will be the best “therapy” you can ever give your child. Help them to have a job and be able to support themselves for the rest of their life.

About Anita:

Anita was diagnosed with autism at age 50.  A graduate of Columbia University, she earned her Master’s in Nurse Anesthesia and has been working full time for 28 years.  Her special interests have earned her a flight in an F-15 fighter jet and jumping horses over 6 foot fences.  An internationally recognized autism advocate and member of Autism Society of America’s Panel of Autistic Advisors,  Anita is married to her husband who is also autistic.  She has a new book coming out in September 2017 by Future Horizons that’s going to change health care for autistic individuals around the world.  Anita is also a Project Co-Lead on a $250,000 PCORI funded grant for Adults with Autism and other Stakeholders Engaging Together.  This project aims to  improve healthcare for autistic adults.  Anita is speaking at the United Nations for World Autism Awareness Day. 

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Jacksonville, FL (Sept. 16, 2015) – The Jacksonville Speech and Hearing Center(JSHC) has earned its certification of autism care from the International Board of Credentialing and Continuing Education Standards (IBCCES).  This designation means that at least 80% of the JSHC staff has undergone a rigorous training process that will assist in providing speech pathology and audiology services for those who have autism.  It is believed that the nonprofit is the first healthcare provider in North Florida to undergo this training for its staff.

“I’m extremely proud that our staff has stepped up to achieve this recognition,” said Mike Howland, President and CEO of Jacksonville Speech and Hearing Center.  “Communication is a critical challenge for many people with autism and that is where we can help.”

“I strongly believe that creating professional partnerships that help care for those with autism and other sensory processing disorders improves the quality of care,” said Michelle Killian, Director of IBCCES.  “Disparities in patient-provider communication lower patient self-efficacy and usage of preventive services. This training can help eliminate that.”IBCCES was formed in 2001 and is the leading credentialing organization for professionals in the field of autism.

A Certified Autism Center provides a patient-friendly environment that includes

•      no sensory overload
•      patients ushered to quiet rooms
•      treatment that is minimally disruptive to the patient
•      communication with family members regarding diagnosis and treatment
•      a focus on “yes” or “no” questions to patient
•      allowing patients to see and touch materials
•      a health care professional manner that is direct and factual

Autism is a neurodevelopmental disorder with a wide range of symptoms and impairment levels.  According to a 2010 study conducted by the Center for Disease Control, one in 68 children in the US have the disorder.  It is five times more common among boys than girls.

The Jacksonville Speech and Hearing Center was founded in 1949 by the Junior League of Jacksonville.  Today this nonprofit, located at 1128 N. Laura St., serves children, adults and seniors providing screenings, evaluations and treatments in the areas of speech pathology and audiology.  Most major insurances are accepted.  For more information visit shcjax.org or call 904-355-3403 to make an appointment.  Like Jacksonville Speech and Hearing Center on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/jaxspeechhearingcenter or follow on Twitter @JaxSpeechHear.

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July 8, 2015 (Newswire) – Of 50,000 adult individuals with autism, just over half who have recently turned 18 in the past year hold a salaried job. Recently at a lunch & learn organized by Autism Speaks and Special Counsel, the disturbing question of whether America is fully prepared to provide employment support to the differently abled was the main topic of conversation.

Speakers and presenters from Autism Speaks, Rangam Consultants and WebTeam Corporation made a strong case for hiring adults with autism, a neurodevelopmental disorder with no known cause and cure. Autism is found to impact an estimated 3.5 million Americans, affecting communication, behavioral, emotional and occupational skills for life. Only about one third of students with special needs pursue college education. However, with early diagnosis and intervention, together with continued professional support, most autistic individuals are capable of being productive members of the workforce.

“This was the first time we made a well-coordinated attempt to make professionals from law and legal career fields aware of the benefits of hiring individuals with autism. For me, the day went exceptionally well, fostering an atmosphere of openness and stimulating interaction. We intend to host a series of lunch and learn events in near future to reach out to businesspeople from other industries as well,” said Nish Parikh, CEO of WebTeam Corporation and VP of Rangam Consultants Inc.

Mr. Parikh was particularly upbeat about the success of autism employment in the long run. The WebTeam CEO drew on data to prove that there is no dearth of opportunities for employable adults with autism. “It has been only a few months since the launch of The Spectrum Careers and we have already succeeded in creating a buzz among a growing niche of employers and service providers that perceive autism differently and are not fazed by the myths and misconceptions surrounding the condition,” he said.

Dave Kearon, Director of Adult Services at Autism Speaks, echoed Mr. Parikh’s enthusiasm about The Spectrum Careers. “This site was designed by and for job seekers with autism who have shown that they would prefer to use an online job board specifically for people with disabilities,” he said. “At the same time, we aim to make this as easy as possible for businesses that are interested in this largely untapped talent pool of individuals with autism. Remember, this is not about charity; this is about what is good for your bottom line.”

Hetal Parikh, President of Rangam Consultants, added, “If corporations such as Microsoft and Cisco Systems can develop a diverse and inclusive workplace by hiring people with disabilities, we definitely can.”

Facts:

• In the U.S., 500,000 teens with autism will age into adulthood in the next decade.
• 90% of adults with autism are unemployed or underemployed.
• 1 in 68 children are diagnosed with autism.

4 Benefits of Hiring Adults with Autism:

1. Intense focus comes naturally.  Intensity can be an asset that helps them focus on the task at hand.
2. They work when nobody is watching. Focus and commitment can make an autistic individual a model employee.
3. Individuals with autism can bring enormous creativity. Autistic minds are wired differently, and imaginations can be extreme. Managers should take advantage of this when looking for creative ideas or new ways to solve problems. If they give autistic team members opportunities to share their ideas, those ideas can lead to brilliant new concepts.
4. Passion leads to productivity. Because individuals with autism usually have intense, specific interests, the best jobs are those that allow them to be involved with those interests. An employee who is perfectly suited to a position because of a passion results in a win-win situation. He will love working in his area of extensive knowledge and be hyper-focused and productive. Not only should employers be aware of their employees’ strengths, they should also learn about some of their challenges, and how to accommodate them for better productivity.

About Special Counsel

Special Counsel is the largest provider of legal staffing services to corporate legal departments and law firms nationwide. Special Counsel services include customized staffing and project management for e-discovery and document review projects of any size and location, as well as providing experienced legal professionals for general workload management, litigation support, and business transaction support. For more information, visit SpecialCounsel.com.

About Autism Speaks

Autism Speaks is the world’s leading autism science and advocacy organization. It is dedicated to funding research into the causes, prevention, treatments and a cure for autism; increasing awareness of autism spectrum disorders; and advocating for the needs of individuals with autism and their families. Autism Speaks was founded in 2005 by Suzanne and Bob Wright, the grandparents of a child with autism. Mr. Wright is the former vice chairman of General Electric and chief executive officer of NBC and NBC Universal. Since its inception, Autism Speaks has committed more than $525 million to its mission, the majority in science and medical research. Each year Walk Now for Autism Speaks events are held in more than 100 cities across North America. On the global front, Autism Speaks has established partnerships in more than 60 countries on five continents to foster international research, services and awareness. To learn more about Autism Speaks, please visit AutismSpeaks.org.

About Rangam Consultants Inc.

Rangam is among the fastest growing staffing companies that support contingent workforce programs for Fortune 500 clients of managed service providers. Equipped with cutting-edge technologies that align with VMS applications, Rangam serves industries such as Pharmaceutical/Life Sciences, Telecommunications, Energy & Utilities, Hi-Tech & Information Technology, Financial & Insurance, Manufacturing & Retail, and Consumer Products & Food, among others. The firm has over 450 employees working in 12 business offices spread across three continents.

Rangam donates money and resources to health care and special education service providers worldwide. The company’s current corporate social responsibility programs are directed at helping individuals with special needs find suitable employment opportunities in multinational corporations. For more information, please send an email to sayantan@rangam.com or call (908) 704 8843 x344.

Sources: Advancing Futures for Adults with Autism; Six-Word Lessons for Autism Friendly Workplaces, by Patty Pacelli, Newswire: “Benefits of Hiring People with Autism” 

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