Autism Society of Forsyth County

Do2Learn and the Autism Society of North Carolina have a long history of collaboration and partnership to increase the availability and accessibility of resources for individuals on the autism spectrum and their families. The JobTips program has been released through the Do2Learn website.

This is a free web-based tool for individuals with high functioning autism or Asperger’s to determine their employment interests and help them find a job, get a job, keep a job, and understand and master work behaviors. While this is an exceptional resource that includes all the major aspects of gainful employment, some individuals may require support to navigate the content, practice the skills, and receive immediate feedback for it to become a practical, generalizable tool.

The Winston-Salem Foundation has provided ASNC with a community grant to support a JobTips Employment Group in the Winston-Salem area. Beginning on June 3, ASNC’s employment group will be running FREE group sessions at Forsyth Technical Community College. This group is for young adults with High Functioning Autism (HFA) or Asperger’s Syndrome who have completed high school and are interested in developing their career path. Participants will learn the skills necessary to make community connections, apply for jobs, develop a network, perfect their resumes, and prepare for job interviews. The group will meet for 10 sessions from 9:30 am – 11:15 am. You can read a full description of the program or access the letter for self-advocates by clicking here. For more information, please contact Leica Anzaldo at lanzaldo@autismsociety-nc.org.

Thanks to Mary Tood Allen, EC Program Manager for Winston-Salem/Forsyth County School for these great tips to make the transition to middle school much easier!

Step 1: Preparation during the last year in elementary school

• Visit the middle school during open house and the summer
• Meet teachers and administrators in the middle school
• Learn about important differences between elementary and middle school, and about new expectations
• Obtain information about the new school, including its faculty, opportunities, challenges, rules and traditions
• Develop a list of important skills that the student might need in the new school environment

Step 2: Planning the curriculum, goals and schedule for the fall transition to middle school

• Consider the student’s strengths, challenges, interests, and need for support and accommodations/modifications in a new environment
• Consider a potential schedule regarding the student’s need for balance in his schedule, breaks and opportunity for resource support
• Sensory challenges also must be considered as the schedule is designed
• Develop a list of helpful strategies, or a portfolio that shows the student’s personality and strengths

Step 3: Prepare yourself

• Discuss with teachers how you can assist your child over the summer to become ready for the transition
• Request material to familiarize your student with the new school (e.g., map, student handbook, lunch menu, yearbook)
• Obtain information about school activities and faculty expectations regarding homework
• Identify parent support and booster groups so that you can become involved in school-sponsored activites
• Obtain the name of the Middle School Case Manager and other primary contacts, and establish contact

Step 4: Preparing the Student

• Write a social story or series of stories to help the student prepare for the change
• Allow the student to have as many visits to the new school as needed
• Practice walking the route to classes while the building is empty, or even make a video
• Identify important areas, including a safe haven, bus stop, homeroom, bathrooms, cafeteria and gym
• Provide opportunities to practice opening and closing his/her locker
• Help the student understand school rules (even the unwritten ones)
• Review the yearbook to familiarize the student with the faculty and school activities during the year
• Take the student to parent-student orientation
• Practice scripts so that the student knows where to get help and how to ask for assistance
• Prepare the student to understand that each teacher has different rules and procedures, and that the student will need to be flexible with each teacher’s rules
• Buy a special notebook(s) with dividers and color coded folders that will help the student stay organized