Guidance interviews
13-May-2005
permalink email thisThe National Autistic Society website includes a section on 'Tips for interviewing people with autism / Asperger's syndrome'. Although it is primarily aimed at employers in a job interview context, the general guidelines they outline are (I think) really helpful for a guidance context.
The website points out that people with autism or Asperger syndrome thrive in a structured and well organised environment and have many strengths that are advantageous to an employer, such as accuracy, good eye for detail, reliability and meticulous application of routine tasks. However, they may have varying (but often mild) difficulties with the following:
Clear understanding of verbal and non-verbal communication such as body language, facial expressions, idiomatic language etc. They may take words literally.
Building social relationships, starting and maintaining conversations on general topics that may not be of particular interest to them.
Imaginative activity: may have narrow interests and find it hard to think in abstract ways. Their literal interpretation of the world means they are much more comfortable with facts rather than hypotheses.
The website then goes on to outline 'reasonable adjustments' that could be made by using quite simple techniques such as rephrasing questions. A really helpful resource to inform guidance interviews? Does anyone have any other insights into this area of work?
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