Asperger’s/autistic spectrum disorder project: Transition from higher education to the workplace

Abstract

The main diagnostic criteria for autistic spectrum disorders (ASD) are communication and social interaction difficulties, which can make the transition from education to the workplace traumatic. A course was organised to help with this transition; with four learning outcomes: i) Knowing oneself: ASD inherent traits and the work setting; ii) Career research: mapping ASD traits onto careers; iii) Workplace issues; and iv) Developing an action plan. Qualitative interviews were conducted. All respondents agreed that the course was useful with two main themes arising: confidence building and identifying with having ASD.