OT: Aspberger's Syndrome

Old 01-13-2017, 07:00 AM
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OT: Aspberger's Syndrome

Hoping for some tips and helpful insight!

Where I work, we frequently have college interns. These are young people working on an advanced degrees with topics that line up with the work that we do.

We have just added a new young person who, if I had to guess, has Aspberger's Syndrome--or as the doctors say now, Autism Spectrum Disorder.

This person has no sense of non-verbal cues, interrupts other people's conversations, has no concept of personal boundaries, becomes very single-minded in focusing on a specific idea, becomes impatient when something can't be accomplished right away...and this is what I observed/experienced in just 3 hours.

Needless to say, there has been some annoyance among my co-workers.

What I am hoping is that those of you who have some experience with this syndrome can advise me on how best to interact with this young person. I would hope very much that their work could be successful here!
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Old 01-13-2017, 07:52 AM
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Oh wow, you are describing my partner to a T. We split the support duties for a large group of people -- hers are more administrative and mine more business development related. But I have yet to find a sustainable way of interacting with her. I utilize my detachment skills with her more than any alcoholic I've ever known!

I look forward to the responses to see if there are any strategies for improving my interaction with her without making myself crazy!
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Old 01-13-2017, 09:24 AM
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My sister's son has Aspberger's. They have made it a point to let the new jobs know about what his needs are so that everyone knows how to interact with him.
Perhaps asking this person what they need will help.
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Old 01-13-2017, 10:04 AM
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Well, that is a good idea except that this young person nor their thesis advisor have stated this at all. I am only making a guess based on my interactions and observations.
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Old 01-13-2017, 10:27 AM
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Seren....I did a google search for "how to interact with Aspergers syndrome"....and I got a lot of good websites that were very instructive.....
They look to be very informative and instructive......(I read a few of them)......
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Old 01-13-2017, 10:31 AM
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Seren...I, also, did a search for "adapting the workplace for aspergers syndrome" and, also got a lot of websites devoted to this subject.....

Do you have the freedom to discuss the intern's progress with the thesis advisor and, maybe, get some useful feedback from him/her?
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Old 01-13-2017, 10:50 AM
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No, I'm afraid not, Dandy. I may suggest that to my manager, though. I would like this young person to succeed.
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Old 01-13-2017, 10:56 AM
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Seren.....I think it sounds like a good idea to talk this over with your manager....She/he might find your observations and concerns helpful.......
I can see that your heart is in the right place.....
You all might l earn a l ot....
My favorite saying....LOL..."Knowledge is power"........
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Old 01-13-2017, 11:29 AM
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Well, I should be clear. I would like this young person to succeed because I think everyone should have that opportunity. I also don't want any of us to lose it out of sheer frustration! *yikes*
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Old 01-13-2017, 02:02 PM
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Seren, it can be really difficult for them to perform without the understanding of the entire staff. Keep in mind, he may not even be diagnosed.

From the small amount of education I have had on this, you had to adjust to them in that you really could not have a high level of expectation that they are able to adjust their issues very well according to environment even.

It's also worth mentioning that since it is a spectrum, he will be more or less successful depending on how far along they are on that spectrum.

Does your work have an EAP program? If so I would suggest contacting them for assistance! I just used ours for the first time today and I cannot believe all the things it can assist you with!

Good luck friend!
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Old 10-29-2017, 07:50 AM
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I know this is pretty old but I'm going to respond anyways and hopefully that's okay haha.

I am on the autism spectrum and though most men are diagnosed by age 8 (for women it's 20s and 30s!!) it's not unusual for people who are higher functioning to go undiagnosed or misdiagnosed their whole lives. I was only recently diagnosed and I'm in my 20s. He might not even be diagnosed, and also though the traits you describe are very common in people on the spectrum (to varying degrees of course, it is a spectrum after all and no two autistics present the same way), those traits in and of themselves can result from other conditions, personality, mental health, etc. Given that he's in advanced program and your description, he DOES sound like he has it.

I think it's really tricky because if he has an ASD, he likely doesn't even realize that he's annoying or stressing anyone out. Even if people are giving him subtle hints or passive aggressive hints, he's probably not aware of it besides maybe feeling some tension while being oblivious of the source.

I think you could talk to the adviser, depending on your relationship to him and ask him if there is a diagnosis or if he knows whats up, and relay your concerns. Or, in a way that wont cause him embarrassment or shame (not that anyone with autism should feel these but society makes us feel that way), you could quietly educate your coworkers about autism and let them know that you suspect he has it and encourage compassion towards him.

I also agree with asking him what he needs, or because he doesn't necessarily even realize hes behaving in a way that is seen as rude, kind of find a way to point it out without embarrassing him, or talk to him alone and just say "When you did __________ earlier today, I could see that so and so felt uncomfortable" or "I know you don't intend to offend anyone but when you _________________, it is seen as rude by some people, or seen as disrespecting boundaries. " Because it helps for us to be told things like that (in a kind, gentle and non-condescending manner, don't talk to us like were kids) so that we can try and learn what doesn't come innate in us the way it does with others. Part of it is also probably his social impairments, which affect every autistic differently but I know for me it makes me awkward and clumsy, "everyone in my group is sitting over there and I think theyre starting to work on our assignment and so does that mean Im suppose to go sit over there too?" kind of thing, and for other people it can present in ways that appear like the person is crossing boundaries without care.

The hyper focused on one idea or detail thing is pretty typical, but tbh it's probably part of what has gotten him this far in his education so far. I know it has for me. People with ASDs also have a tendency to fixate/perseverate and also tend to have difficulties switching tasks, so this could be part of the problem too with him hyper focusing on one idea.

I would say your coworkers need to try and be more patient and compassionate and understand that other peoples brains function and process differently, and so the best way to deal with someone who seems like they are autistic is not to necessarily try and change them (that would be changing who we are!) but to change the environment and make space for their mode of learning and functioning, while also finding ways to intervene with problematic behaviours (like lack of boundaries or understanding of personal space etc).
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Old 10-29-2017, 08:50 PM
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Well, here I seem to have some experience. My job is working in special education with a specialist in autism spectrum disorders.
You cannot make up for what a person says and does. In general those on the spectrum express things in black and white as they see them. Explaining the grey area does not do a great deal to help matters;
What you can do is express what is most helpful to your organization in terms of expressing what is and not expressing what needs to be silent. The easiest way to explain is to tell the person what is helpful and what is best not said. ABA training is hundreds of hours - hours you do not have. So express your needs very clearly in terms of what one can say and what one cannot say. You can provide a script in terms of " This person would be the best to answer that question, I do not have the specifics".
Hope this helps
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Old 10-30-2017, 03:47 AM
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Well, I am happy to report that the person who has been the best mentor and the best person in working with this young person has been my boss. At this point, the young person's project has moved along quite well. Graduation is probably going to be in the Spring some time
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