Jobs and Employment tips

“Wow Liz this is one fantastic book. I can't tell you how impressed I am. This is a best seller.”
– Renae Sanford, FASD Educator and Family Support Person

CARE ABOUT CUSTOMERS

• TALKING
  • Practice saying,
    • "May I help you?"
    • "Are you looking for something?"
    • "I'm Liz, it is nice to meet you."
    • "Can I get someone to help you?"
  • Practice answering the phone in your home,
    • "Hello, Liz speaking, may I help you?"
  • If you can't look someone in the eye - look at their cheek or nose so it at least looks like to are looking at them.
  • Wait until a person is done speaking, then ask a question.
  • It is important I do not sound angry with a customer or peer.
  • If I get frustrated about something, I need to ask for a time out safe place.
  • No swears - EVER!
  • Keep yourself clean
• TIME
  • Learn to use and alarm clock and take care to get yourself up and ready
• SPACE
  • Know how and when to shake a hand and when to hug a person.
  • Know how far to stand or sit next to another person.
    • One arm length for business
    • Half arm length or more for person you are friends

MAKE MY JOB SUCCESSFUL

• Learn how to learn new skills - how do you learn best?
• Do the same things every day, in the same order.
• Break the things I need to do into little steps to not forget details.
• I need a list of what my jobs are so I can cross off where I am so I do not forget where I left off. The list empowers me to perform well even when I am interrupted. It allows me freedom to move into something else in my job if I need to help someone.
• If things get too rough at work and you leave before you say or do something you will be sorry for later … ask the supervisor respectfully for a ‘cool down’ job or place to regroup.

MY JOB SURROUNDINGS

• A visor cuts down on the glare of fluorescent lights and helps prevents the headaches I get working under them. Sunglasses also help.
• Ear plugs help me focus in a noisy area without being confused or overwhelmed.
• Provide a calming area where I can regroup alone.
• Get permission to be a job shadow and work alongside someone to learn new skills.

 

Lifelong Expert Advice from Rob Wybrecht
Why jobs are lost - help us find solutions

• Job coach is discontinued, usually after six months at the most, case is closed
• Boss leaves the place of employment
• Person with FASD gets a promotion, or a job change, without adequate support
• Bus route is changed, cannot afford car insurance renewal.
• No case manager
• IQ too high for services
• No set routine
• Lack of communication or supervision, more than 1 supervisor
• Trouble with time management, not completing a task before starting another
• Keeping workspace organized
• Remembering when time sheet is due/filling it out

Notes from life coaches

• Lois Bickford, (Lifecoach for persons with FASD)
  • My friend may be really good at her job but at any moment she can lose her abilities if she gets stressed from a phone call or is dealing with a complex life issue. It is important she has healthy break times (five minutes of quiet, journaling, drawing) or periods of non-stressful jobs (fronting shelves, wrapping product, fetching carts).
  • My friend has learned that because her brain works differently, she needs to be aware of “what causes her stress”, take a break doing something simple or get fresh air. She keeps an employer approved task list and flips the colored laminated card over to signal her supervisor she is being proactive in supporting her team members, doing a good job at work and keeping her boss happy. She checks off one of three tasks she is heading to complete to calm down.

 

INFORMATION YOU WILL NEED

• Supervisor or trainer provide instructions a slower pace, but not condescending
• Allow additional time to train for your job
• Break job tasks into easy to do steps
• Use charts, pictures, or colors;
  • Organization - color code with folders, containers, bins.
  • Dress code - photograph of employee in correct dress for job - also show things that cannot be worn with circle and line through.
  • Tape record - steps in a task.
  • Provide detailed schedule for completing task - post in area steps are to be done. Number if they are to be in an order.
  • Create a index card pack with instruction of days work - laminate so tasks can be checked when completed.
  • Provide additional training when there are any on-the-job changes.

Questions and answers for employers hiring persons with intellectual differences.

• Accommodation ideas by industry or job
• Providing abilities and accommodations for persons with intellectual differences.
  • Brain injury ideas
  • Attention deficit ideas
  • Bi-Polar ideas
  • Intellectual difference ideas
  • Mental health impairment ideas
  • Migraine headache ideas
  • A-Z accommodation list (lists many ideas to help employers help employees)

 

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