Jobs Suitable For People With Autism

Career Choices

According To Disability

Some good jobs for visual thinkers

• Computer programming- This is a wide-open field with many jobs available especially in industrial automation, software design, business computers, communications and network systems.
• Drafting- Engineering drawings and computer aided drafting. This job can offer many opportunities. To become skilled at drafting, one needs to learn how to draw by hand first.
• Commercial arts- Advertising and magazine layout can be done as freelance work.
• Photography- Still and video, TV cameraman can be done as freelance work.
• Animal trainer- For example dog obedience trainer.
• Automobile mechanic- Can visualize how the entire car works.
• Computer-troubleshooter and repair- Can visualize problems in computers and networks.
• Small appliance repair.
• Handcrafts such as wood carving, jewelry making, ceramics, etc.
• Laboratory technician
• Web page design- Freelance work can be done.
• Computer animation- Visual thinkers would be very good at this field, but there is more competition in this field than in business or industrial computer programming.
• Building maintenance- Fixes broken pipes, windows and other things in an apartment complex, hotel or office building.
• Factory maintenance- Repairs and fixing of factory equipment.

Some good jobs for non visual thinkers

• Library science- reference librarian. Help people find information in the library.
• Computer programming.
• Engineering.
• Inventory control- Keeping a track of merchandise stocked in a store.
• Tuning pianos and other musical instruments, can be done as freelance work
• Laboratory technician- Running laboratory equipment.
• Bank Teller- Very accurate money counting, much less demand on short-term working memory.
• Clerk and filing jobs- knows where every file is
• Telemarketing- Get to repeat the same thing over and over, selling on the telephone. Noisy environment may be a problem. Telephone sales avoids many social problems.

Some good jobs for nonverbal people with autism or people with poor verbal skills

• Reshelving library books- Can memorize the entire numbering system and shelf locations
• Factory assembly work- Especially if the environment is quiet
• Running photocopies and printing jobs can be lined up by somebody else.
• Restocking shelves in stores.
• Recycling plant- Sorting jobs.
• Warehouse- Loading trucks, stacking boxes.
• Data entry- If the person has fine motor problems than this is not be taken up.
• Fast food restaurant- this work demands little short-term memory.

Some bad jobs for bad jobs for people with high functioning Autism or Asperger's Syndrome

These are the jobs that require high demands on short-term working memory

• Cashier-It could be difficult in making changes quickly and can puts too much demand on short term working memory
• Waitress/Waiter-It could be difficult if one has to keep track of many different tables
• Taking oral dictation-It could be difficult due to auditory processing problems
• Airline ticket agent- It could be difficult to deal with angry people when flights are cancelled
• Air traffic controller-It could be difficult due to information overload and stress
• Receptionist and telephone operator- One could have problems when the switch board

Some job tips for people with Autism or Asperger's syndrome

• Jobs should have a well-defined goal or endpoint
• Sell your work, not your personality. Make a portfolio of your work
• The boss must recognize your social limitations
• Self-advocating and being aware are key to any success you’ll have
• Try to get experience as a volunteer or an intern
• Make sure you are very open about the accommodations that you need in that workplace
• Try to swap responsibilities you can’t meet for ones of equal weight that you can meet
• Include your strengths
• Look for niches you can fill that no one else is filling—or that no one else but you can fill