The Social Work Relationship
Aug. 30, 2021
A relationship with a supervisor and co-workers is a social
relationship. Outside of performing your
job and the “soft skills” of showing up on time, wearing appropriate clothes,
etc.; you also have to get along with co-workers and supervisors. A break down in this social relationship can
cost you your job or make your job harder to perform. This is perhaps the largest barrier to
inclusive, community employment that individuals with autism face. It is a constantly changing relationship with
new players that bring their own experiences with them. Typical individuals with better than average
social skills can find the social relationships required by employment
challenging. Most individuals with
autism don’t enter the inclusive, community workforce as early as their
non-disabled peers. This gives their
non-disabled peers years more experience at navigating workplace social
relationships. Coupling that with the
deficits in reading social cues, understanding non-verbal behavior, etc. that
individuals with autism face, it can be hard to imagine success. This is why individuals with autism often
need support over a longer period of time than others. They may be better at other parts of the job
than their counterparts, but that will do little to help their career if they
struggle to get along with others. Funding
for ongoing support in employment can be difficult to come by in a system that
is set up with the expectation that independence in employment can be achieved
in 90 days or less. Political
initiatives support individuals with disabilities entering the work force, but
often do not consider the long-term challenges they will face in trying to stay
there. A person with a physical
disability is often able to become independent quickly with physical
accommodations which are required by law.
Individuals that acquired their disability as an adult can often refer
back to their prior work experience to help them find a way to navigate their
new situation. In both of these groups,
success can often be achieved in a short amount of time, and it can be
lasting. However, for individuals with
autism, success can be short-lived when personnel change, the work environment
changes or anything that disrupts their routine happens. However, the increased investment in support
initially can lead to lasting job placement.
Once the position has become part of their routine, they will likely not
stray from it or become disenchanted with it.
The routine provides the positive
reinforcement they need for long term stability. The key is to have long term support for the
first few years so that new challenges can be addressed as they arise before
they affect employment.