Asperger's on the Job by Rudy Simone

[IContainMultitudes]

I recently read this book and I thought I would post a little review of it:

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Overall, it's a pretty good starting place if you're an aspie looking on advice on employment issues. It's not the ultimate guide to employment for aspies (the book is only about 120 pages and has a fair amount of white space), and I wish it had gone into more depth on certain subjects (the book's advice on finding appropriate employment is rather brief, and I wish it had gone into the tricky issue of whether or not to disclose one's AS status to an employer in a little more depth), but the book does have a "short and sweet" quality that I think helps it serve its purpose. What it lacks in depth, it makes up for somewhat in the range of topics covered, which includes sensory issues, workplace bullying, and even problems aspies are likely to have with the dress code at some workplaces.

Simone points out that the challenges that aspes often face in the workplace can be surmounted (even if that involves going a bit outside of one's comfort zone), but she doesn't sugarcoat the fact that the world of employment is going to be rough sledding for most aspies. While the book is certainly worth reading for aspies looking for advice on navigating the often difficult world of employment, it may be most useful as a book for employers and others who want to better understand the work-related difficulties that aspies often face.

 

[Firnafth]

Good review! Thank you for posting it.

 

[Bay]

I recently downloaded this to read on my Kindle app. IContainMultitudes is right, it does have some good advice. Where I found it most helpful, however, was its descriptions of what it is like to be an Aspie.

My therapist is always giving me homework, so I decided to assign him the homework of reading this book, since I didn't feel as though he truly "got" what having AS was like. Although the book naturally frames the discussion in terms of the workplace, the author did a good job of characterizing the experience of interacting with society as an Aspie. It seemed to me that my therapist finally "got" it after reading the book, so I have found it to be valuable.

 

[King_Oni]

I think I should give the book a try... if I can get an affordable copy of it. I'm not really one to spend "a lot" on books and never have. Might look if the library has it, and read it there though, but slim chances since it's english. It's recently been translated in dutch, so perhaps they might have a dutch copy around, rather than stock up on english books.

The biggest issue I have with books like these is that
A. it's a really general sense. No two aspies are alike, and comorbid disorders aren't usually in there, which makes the situation a lot more complex.
B. I think (and I'm saying this without having read the book though) there's only so much you can do, the other part should be where you're being met halfway by the employer (or even the people at the job center). As long as they don't care for "adapting" the working enviroment for you, even a small amount (or just are ignorant about whatever issue you might have), I feel that advice doesn't give me nearly as much as it should give the people that are actually "in control" to either give you a job or not (and eventually spend time and money to make you keep that job)

Out of all the things I read about Asperger's (and I've read a decent share of books over the past year or so) I partially identify with what is being written, but in a way; I already know that. It's people around me that could/should be more aware and I can't really force them. In other words; how "important" as an insight this (as well as other books on Asperger's) might be, if people are way to ignorant to spend only a little amount of time on it, all it does is give me an outline about myself, I know what I can and cannot do, but that's information other people will not accept cause they don't understand it and don't want to spend time on understanding it.

 

[King_Oni]

So... about 9 months later I in fact read the book. Hooray giveaway!

Went through it rather fast. Felt like I went full on OCD and just felt that I had to finish the book quickly.

As stated earlier, what I expected is somewhat true. While it gives good advice for aspies, it also gives good advice for potential employers, but to be honest, I don't think this book is on their recommended reading list.

Reflecting the book to myself as well as the current jobmarket; I'm not the only unemployed person. And every issue I might have is one too many. There's 10 people with less issues (and probably without having diagnosis and doctors notes) for every aspie that needs a job. So that leaves me to wonder why they would spend time and money on that.

Also; it makes me wonder if this was written with the "would be"-social aspie in mind. Granted, I doubt people that have no interest in getting a job or career will give this (or any book about employment) a shot, but as an aspie it made me think. Looking at a simple thing like "interests"; for me personally that already warranted a big problem, and that was before there was any mentioning of Asperger's in any career path I had. And if anything, I gathered from the book is to either just give them a silent treatment or just mention the most neutral or "positive" things. What if I, according to common belief, do not have anything neutral going on. I mean; if I enjoy reading up on serial killers, enjoy taxidermy, play games with toysoldiers and prance around in my grandma's knickers while covering myself in vanilla fudge and squirt chocolate milk from my nipples I'm quite sure that'll turn some heads*. There's no... "normal" interests and ambitions there. Similarly, I tend to worry over the slightly sociopathic aspies, since those are part of the community as well.

Don't get me wrong. the book is fine. It's an interesting read, and surely it's written mostly from the perspective of Miss Simone herself. But that also leaves open the other side of the spectrum... something one could call "the dark side of the spectrum".

Oh well... perhaps I should ruminate and write a book on that, lol.

*no, this is not a reflection of my personal life. But I'd just figure to take some, what therapists would probably call, worrysome situations. Just for dramatic effect

 

[gailt915]

I read the book and found it very helpful. Rudy Simmone says it like it is. I, too, liked the range of topics covered.