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Working and Interacting with People on the Spectrum

Working and Interacting with People on the Spectrum

May 20, 2020 / Didlake / Blog

Work Team with Puzzle Pieces connected togetherApproximately 12.3% of people served/employed at Didlake are on the autism spectrum. They are employees, consumers of employment services, and consumers of our day support and community inclusion programs.

As the number of individuals on the autism spectrum exiting high school continues to grow, the need for the services and employment opportunities Didlake provides will increase. The Didlake Autism Center of Excellence’s vision is to improve employment outcomes for individuals diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and increase corporate knowledge and expertise related to supporting adults with ASD in employment or rehabilitation services.

On November 2nd, Didlake held its second annual leadership retreat. The theme of the retreat was “Leading Through Communication.” As Donna Hollis, our Acting CEO stated in her opening remarks, “communication is the foundation of all relationships.” The day was filled with coworkers engaging in fellowship and presenters discussing communication and leadership. I was honored to have the opportunity to get our day started by talking about autism at work. The presentation included an overview of autism spectrum disorder (ASD), information about learning styles, communication, strengths of autism, and tips and strategies for working with and interacting with people on the spectrum.

Tips for Working with People with Autism Spectrum Disorder

The way we receive, process, and understand information plays a role in how we communicate and interact with one another. No matter what one’s strengths, challenges, or abilities are there are ways we can help support them. Here are some tips and strategies:

  • Speak clearly and plainly
  • Offer clear choices (two or three) if opened ended questions are challenging
  • Give ample time to process information
  • Be patient, give time and do not rush
  • Provide visual supports when needed
  • Be prepared to repeat or rephrase complex information
  • Get to know who they are and what they like/dislike
  • Focus on strengths

This is not an exhaustive list and does not just apply to individuals on the autism spectrum or in the workplace. These strategies can apply to anyone who has communication support needs across any setting. The knowledge and experience we gain and put into practice can help create a greater impact in our communities.

If you found this article helpful, please forward and share it with someone who who would find it useful.

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  • Home
  • About Us
    • Our History
    • Our Commitment to Quality & Exceptional Service
    • Executive Leadership
    • Affiliations & Memberships
    • Corporate Credentials & Licensing
    • Community Outreach and Partnerships
    • Integrity: Our Whistleblower Policy
    • Blog
    • Didlake in the News
    • News
    • Press Releases
    • Contact Us
  • Our Services
    • Business Services for Government
      • Didlake Core Capabilities – NAICS & NIGP
      • We Deliver Expert Knowledge & Exceptional Quality
    • Commercial Business Services
      • Didlake Document Imaging
      • The UPS Store 6631 at Center at Innovation
      • The UPS Store 6656 at Stonebridge at Potomac Town Center
  • Our Programs
    • Day Support Program
      • The Community Engagement Program
      • The Group Day Program
      • Volunteerism — A Day Support Activity
      • Tour Our Program Locations
      • Eligibility | Funding & Payment Options
      • How We Work With You
    • Employment Services Program for People with Disabilities
      • Didlake Supported Employment Services
      • Pre-Employment Transition Services for High School Students
      • Transitioning from High School to the Workforce
      • Our Employment Services Team
  • Support Our Mission
    • We Create Opportunities
    • Support Didlake
  • Careers at Didlake
    • Apply for a Job
    • Disability Documentation Requirements
    • Reasonable Accommodations
    • Recruiting During COVID-19 and How We are Keeping Our Employees Safe
    • We Invest in Our People
    • AbilityOne® Program Jobs
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  • Employment Services Program for People with Disabilities
    • Didlake Supported Employment Services
    • Pre-Employment Transition Services for High School Students
    • Transitioning from High School to the Workforce
    • Our Employment Services Team
  • Day Support Program
    • The Community Engagement Program
    • The Group Day Program
    • Volunteerism — A Day Support Activity
    • Tour Our Program Locations
    • Eligibility | Funding & Payment Options
    • How We Work With You
  • Business Services for Government
    • Didlake Core Capabilities – NAICS & NIGP
    • Expert Knowledge & Exceptional Quality
  • Commercial Business Services
    • Didlake Document Imaging
    • The UPS Store 6631 at Center at Innovation
    • The UPS Store 6656 at Stonebridge at Potomac Town Center
  • About Us
    • Affiliations & Memberships
    • Blog
    • Community Outreach and Partnerships
    • Contact Us
    • Corporate Credentials & Licensing
    • Didlake in the News
    • Integrity: Our Whistleblower Policy
    • News
    • Our Commitment to Quality & Exceptional Service
    • Our History
    • Press Releases
  • Careers at Didlake
    • Apply for a Job
    • Disability Documentation Requirements
    • Reasonable Accommodations
    • We Invest in Our People
    • AbilityOne® Program Jobs
  • Support Our Mission
    • We Create Opportunities
    • Support Didlake

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