ABSTRACT
Parents should bear in mind that there are a number of potential openings for this community: janitor, store re-stocker, library helper, factory assembly worker, warehouse helper, office helper, odd-job gardener. The examples of work being carried out by autistic workers without language include washing the dishes in a home for the elderly. One young man without language works in a paid job smashing bottles in a bottle bank – and enjoys every moment of it! Interestingly, Temple Grandin believes that work-related social difficulties are often less severe for people on the autism spectrum who have more obvious disabilities, such as no speech: 'Once other employees understand autism, they are often very helpful. It is the people who are closer to being typical who have the worst problems with office politics and jealousy.' Individuals with milder mental disorders such as high-functioning autism may also come across as 'normal' in many situations, co-workers and supervisors may have higher expectations of them.
