Autistic Man At Work Fired | Autism PDD

This is a prime example of why it's WAY more important to focus on SOCIAL SKILLS. I am CERTAIN that this guy had no idea whatsoever how annoying he was and how scarey it would be if he followed a person home. You or I or even a NT 10yo would KNOW that. This is also why mentally retarded people are more employable than autistic people. They may be slow, but they usually "get" the social aspect of things. I don't know that there is a thing that can be done for this guy at this point in his development, but those of us who have younger children should take it as an object lesson. Instead of being defensive when the kids on the playground tease our children (a totally NATURAL response from us, though), we should take this issue to the school and INSIST that OUR children be taught what to do to avoid annoying the others. This may not seem fair, but it is the ONE thing that will help them KEEP a job once they're in the outside world. The truth is, my own beloved son drives me BONKERS with his constant talking and I've often screamed at him out of sheer frustration. And I LOVE him. Co-workers are going to be WAY less tolerant.

Some places and people are more tolerant than others. About 10 years ago while I worked at a factory there was a guy there who was very "different". He would only look down and to the left, mumbled constantly etc. He was very smart and could build anything they gave him the blueprint for, he was given the more challenging assemblies because of his apptitude. I didn't know he was autistic but that was probably what it was - looking back. People were really nice to him and he was there for years, he actually got a better job and left eventually. I only wish I had known more about autism back then. I hope people gain more acceptance with more focus on autism.

Cat

Good way of looking at it Karrie. Thanks for helping me to see both sides of that.

eta- I also meant to say that I do feel sorry for this guy and wish that it hadn't of happened so that he could stay employed. I didn't mean to make it sound like I thought he might deserve it. I would never think that. I do understand what other parents are saying about people being more understanding. And I believe that too. But this situation does have 2 sides to it, I think!

Wray39079.5232986111The autistic man I worked with got fired last week. I feel horrible for him. He loved his job so much. The people at work were always so mean to him, behind his back and to his face. He just liked to talk to people a lot. Sometimes non-stop, though, and people really got annoyed. I guess one day he followed an employee home (he drives). He's perfectly harmless, but I could see how someone would be upset by that. I think other people at work had it in for him from the start. That poor guy.That's so discouraging to me. I have a child who I think will be able to work in the mainstream when he's older, but I'd almost rather he work at a sheltered workplace if people are going to treat him like garbage. I guess it will depend on his adult social skills. He is pretty good at passing and I don't think he's follow anyone home (we're going to teach him to drive too), but I can't predict how he'll be as an adult. I wish people would be more understanding.

It's weird but I see both sides to this one. For instance...if it were my son I would be saddened by it and certainly I understand how an autistic individual could make a social mistake like that...On the other hand if it were my daughter that he followed home I would have a big problem with it....Autism or not.

Karrie