I am often asked to see young adults with Asperger's to help them find "the right career." What is the right career for someone with Aspergers? Well that's really hard to say because the truth is individuals with Asperger's come in all shapes, sizes, colours, temperaments, with different dreams, wishes, hopes, abilities, skills, interests, talents and...deficits. Some people do find with working a full day...but have difficulty when they come home continuing a long period of social interaction, while some others can deal with 20 hours of work a week, or can only deal with work that involves few social interactions. But keep in mind, the vast majority of adults I see with Aspergers hold full time jobs, in exciting careers, doing complicated and demanding tasks. Some that I can't imagine myself doing. What work would suit them best? Ask them! And try different experiences out. If your working with a therapist there are ways to get a better idea about what might be more to your liking. This includes interest inventories, psychoeducational assessments and things like Michelle Winner's Social Thinking- Social communication Profile. (www.socialthinking.com)
Adults with AS can be very capable workers in the work force who are highly productive but struggle to relate socially. An example of this is the worker who is asked to sign a get well card for someone they don't know, and refuses. Or someone who just can't participate in the "small talk" that goes on and is necessary to be part of a team. These are often skills that need to be explained (psychoeducation), modelled and practiced in the workplace with feedback and....more practice. This can be difficult and anything but rewarding at first. These individuals need support throughout the process.
There is a good book available for those trying to learn about counseling adults with AS, Cognitive Behavioural Therapy for Adult Asperger Syndrome by Valerie Gaus. This is really a book for the therapist rather than the client, but its a minimal requirement for anyone you might find yourself working with.
So what are some of the types of issues I've dealt with in the past few weeks with my own clients with AS? Heres a short list:
1. Dealing with anxiety through Cognitive Behavioural Therapy
2. Dealing with depression through Cognitive Behavioural Therapy
3. Learning to listen to others and hold a conversation that's two way - using reflective thinking and understanding the perspective of others
4. Using Michelle Winner's "Social Behaviour Mapping" program
5. Dealing with a spouse and child after a full day at work
6. Understanding appropriate limits in email (a pretty common problem for everyone at work!)
7. Dealing with panic attacks
8. Dealing with OCD behaviours
9. Anger management and assertiveness training
10. Staying awake and off the internet
11. Goal setting, time management and planning large projects
12. Workplace romanace, and sexual appropriateness
13. Going to Vegas with workmates
14. Going out after work and engaging in small talk
15. Asking for a raise
When I look over this list I realize it isn't that much different than anyone else's list of problems and concerns. So don't be discourages, get to work, find a coach or therapist and get ready to jump in!
For more information on my practice and services I provide, including full diagnostic services for autism spectrum disorder (ASD) for children, adolescents and adults, as well as individual, couple and family therapy, please see my website at http://www.relatedminds.com or at http://www.relatedminds.com/autism/
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Psychological services (including assessment, testing and therapy) provided in my offices include (covered by most extended health care insurance):
ADHD (click here: http://www.relatedminds.com/adhd-attention-deficit-hyperactivity-disorder/)
Anxiety and Stress (click here: http://www.relatedminds.com/anxiety-stress/ )
Autism and Asperger’s Disorder (Click here: http://www.relatedminds.com/autism/)
Individual Counselling (click here: http://www.relatedminds.com/individual-therapy/)
Child Counselling / Therapy (click here: http://www.relatedminds.com/child-therapy/)
Testing and Assessments and Learning Disabilities (Click here: http://www.relatedminds.com/testing/)
Couples Counselling / Therapy (click here: http://www.relatedminds.com/couples-therapy/)
Depression The Angry Child (click here: http://www.relatedminds.com/dealing-with-angry-aggressive-and-explosive-children/)
Anger Management (Click here: http://www.relatedminds.com/anger-management/)
Pain Management and PTSD (Click here: http://www.relatedminds.com/pain/ )
Forensic Services (Independent Medical Examinations or IME)
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About Dr. Roche I am a Registered Psychologist and a Registered Marriage and Family Therapist (RMFT) in British Columbia. In addition to my doctorate in clinical Psychology (The Union of Experimenting Universities), I hold a master’s degree in family therapy from Goddard college, a certificate of advanced graduate studies (CAGS) in school and educational psychology from Norwich University, and have completed two years of post doctoral studies in neuro-psychology at The Fielding Institute in Santa Barbara, California. I am also a certified school psychologist, certified teacher of special education (New York and California), and a Clinical Member of the American Association of Marriage and Family Therapists (AAMFT). Finally, I hold a doctoral degree in law (JD) with an emphasis in medical malpractice and education law. Beyond my academic credentials, I have completed two years of supervised clinical experience in both hospital and community based clinics and two years of post doctoral training in neuropsychology. I have served as director of behaviour programming for several school districts, as a consultant on autism for the province, and have held numerous academic positions including Clinical Instructor in Psychiatry at New York University and Bellevue Hospital in New York as well as being a faculty member at NYU, Brooklyn College, SUNY New Paltz, and Norwich University.
Anxiety and Stress (click here: http://www.relatedminds.com/anxiety-stress/ )
Autism and Asperger’s Disorder (Click here: http://www.relatedminds.com/autism/)
Individual Counselling (click here: http://www.relatedminds.com/individual-therapy/)
Child Counselling / Therapy (click here: http://www.relatedminds.com/child-therapy/)
Testing and Assessments and Learning Disabilities (Click here: http://www.relatedminds.com/testing/)
Couples Counselling / Therapy (click here: http://www.relatedminds.com/couples-therapy/)
Depression The Angry Child (click here: http://www.relatedminds.com/dealing-with-angry-aggressive-and-explosive-children/)
Anger Management (Click here: http://www.relatedminds.com/anger-management/)
Pain Management and PTSD (Click here: http://www.relatedminds.com/pain/ )
Forensic Services (Independent Medical Examinations or IME)
…………….
About Dr. Roche I am a Registered Psychologist and a Registered Marriage and Family Therapist (RMFT) in British Columbia. In addition to my doctorate in clinical Psychology (The Union of Experimenting Universities), I hold a master’s degree in family therapy from Goddard college, a certificate of advanced graduate studies (CAGS) in school and educational psychology from Norwich University, and have completed two years of post doctoral studies in neuro-psychology at The Fielding Institute in Santa Barbara, California. I am also a certified school psychologist, certified teacher of special education (New York and California), and a Clinical Member of the American Association of Marriage and Family Therapists (AAMFT). Finally, I hold a doctoral degree in law (JD) with an emphasis in medical malpractice and education law. Beyond my academic credentials, I have completed two years of supervised clinical experience in both hospital and community based clinics and two years of post doctoral training in neuropsychology. I have served as director of behaviour programming for several school districts, as a consultant on autism for the province, and have held numerous academic positions including Clinical Instructor in Psychiatry at New York University and Bellevue Hospital in New York as well as being a faculty member at NYU, Brooklyn College, SUNY New Paltz, and Norwich University.
My offices in Burnaby and Vancouver serve Burnaby, Vancouver, Coquitlam, Port Moody, Port Coquitlam, New Westminster and Maple Ridge. Clients often come to my Vancouver office from North Vancouver, West Vancouver and even as far as the Sunshine Coast. For more information on the location of my Burnaby and Vancouver offices, please see my “Office Location” page, which contains a Google map.
Key Words
ADHD | Anxiety and Stress | Autism and Asperger’s Disorder | Individual Counselling | Child Therapy | Testing and Assessments and Learning Disabilities | Couples Counselling | Depression | The Angry Child | Anger Management | Pain Management and PTSD | Forensic Services | Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder | Vancouver | Burnaby | Coquitlam | New Westminster | Maple Ridge | Port Moody | Child Psychologist | Psychologist | Learning Disability | Assessment | Testing | Psychoeducational Assessment | Neuropsychological Assessment
http://www.relatedminds.com
http://Therapists.PsychologyToday.com/rms/70682
http://www.therapistlocator.net/member?183420
http://www.bcpsychologist.org/users/jimroche
http://www.actcommunity.net/jim-roche.html
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