Developing Talents: Careers for Individuals with Asperger Syndrome and High-Functioning Autism (Paperback)

~ (Author), Kate Duffy (Author), Tony Attwood (Foreword)
Key Phrases: use similar skills, autism spectrum, visual thinkers, United States, Asperger Syndrome, Rick Jordan (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Review

This book covers all aspects of the search for suitable careers for individuals on the autism spectrum. -- Lorna Jean King, OTR, founder, The Children’s Center for Neurodevelopmental Studies

This book is a must-read, must-do for young adults and their transition partners from all walks of life. -- Roger N. Meyer, author, Asperger Syndrome Employment Workbook

This book is essential for anyone who cares for, teaches, employs or works with someone on the autism spectrum. -- Sue Moreno, founder and president, Maap Services Inc.

Product Description

This career planning guide is written specifically for high-functioning adolescents and young adults on the autism spectrum, their families, teachers, and counselors. The two authors weave together a unique blend of information and advice based on personal experiences. Temple Grandin draws from her own experience with autism spectrum disorders and her professional career, and Kate Duffy uses her expertise on employment issues and the mother of two teenagers with autistic-like behaviors. The result is an extremely useful and practical book that introduces step-by-step processes for the job search with a major section on the impact ASD has in the workplace, including managing sensory problems, how to nurture and turn talents and special interests into paid work, jobs that are particularly suited to individuals on the spectrum, and much more. First-hand accounts of job experiences and advice from individuals representing a broad range of careers particularly suited for high-functioning individuals on the autism spectrum round off this exciting new resource.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 168 pages
• Publisher: Autism Asperger Publishing Company; 1 edition (March 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1931282560
• ISBN-13: 978-1931282567
• Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 6 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 9.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (12 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #273,230 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

84 of 85 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars As a parent of an Asperger teen, this book was confirming and enlightening, February 23, 2006

By	J. M. Lynch (Granite Bay, CA USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

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As a parent of a teenager with Aspergers, alot of Ms. Gradin's recommendations confirmed what I already thought: sell the skills not the personality, go into areas where your interests/fixations lie and consider working as a consultant in your area of expertise. Finding recommendations I already thought of didn't make me feel like those parts of the book were a waste. On the contrary, it is nice to have affirmation from an outside source, particularly one intimately knowledgable of autism.

Other recommendations she makes were new to me. I had not thought of them, but they make alot of sense. She encourages people to go out and interview people in their field of choice to learn what they can about the industry. For neurotypical people, this would be akin to networking. For autistics, it is couched in a manner far easier for them to manage. People on the autism spectrum are probably not going to be good at social networking. But they would be very good at the interviews she recommends. She takes classic job networking and reworks it into research. I know my son LOVES researching more information on his interests, but digs in his heels at the thought of socializing.

Ms. Gradin also discusses the different styles of learning/thinking and which jobs are good for those type of people. My son happens to have amazing visual spatial abilities and is currently taking CAD in high school where he is getting straight A's. He now wants to become an architect which is exactly one of the fields Ms. Gradin reommends for visual spatial people on the spectrum.

Other beneficial feature of the book are the list of sources for information, examples of people in a wide selection of fields and Temple Gradin's personal observances.

I'm greatful to Ms. Gradin for writing books on autism. As hard as I try to understand my son, the fact that my brain is wired differently then his means I will always approach him with a bias, unintentional or otherwise. Her books clarify and explain things I could ponder for years and still not quite grasp.

I would also highly recommend her Animals In Translation book.

65 of 70 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Fills a much needed void!, April 29, 2004

By	"psychmom3" (Minnesota) - See all my reviews

As a parent of an adolescent with Asperger Syndrome, I found this book easy to read and understand, with practical how-to instructions and guidelines for preparing my son to enter the work force. I really liked the emphasis on developing social and communication skills that are found throughout the book. This is one I will recommend to friends and relatives as well as my son's educators.

79 of 88 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Ways to use special interests for people with ASD/AS!, May 1, 2004

By	"schelvan5" (Longview, WA United States) - See all my reviews

I have read all three of Temple Grandin's books. Each offers a different look at what it is like to experience Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD). In "Developing Talents" Grandin provides the readers with insight into how parents and educators can assist people with High Functioning Autism/Asperger Syndrome (HFA/AS)achieve success.

Presented in an easy to read format,this book focuses on using one's strengths, natural talents, and special interests to gain
employment and lead successful lives. This book offers helpful strategies to promote such things as addressing sensory needs in the workplace as well as creating a portfolio to showcase one's talents.

In today's society, having marketable job skills is a must. This book gives a proactive look at some of the challenges faced by people with HFA/AS. It is important for parents and educators to introduce the concepts of the book early in the educational careers of these students as the skills are life skills in addition to career skills.