1. CAREER PREPARATION FOR STUDENTS ON THE AUTISM SPECTRUM RIT’S 10 WEEK CAREER AND CO-OP SUCCESS SEMINAR LAURIE ACKLES, SPECTRUM SUPPORT PROGRAM ROCHESTER INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY

2. SEMINAR FORMAT 1 term each year (10 weeks -90 minute sessions) Zero credit “course” Co-taught by Career Services Personnel, Disability Services, Spectrum Support Lecture plus practice Networking Reception LAURIE ACKLES, SPECTRUM SUPPORT PROGRAM ROCHESTER INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY

3. ADDRESSING UNIQUE NEEDS Focused support to build skills and confidence Difficulty with non-verbal language and perspective taking Need explicit detail Need practice Need direct feedback Disclosure decisions Importance of job “fit” LAURIE ACKLES, SPECTRUM SUPPORT PROGRAM ROCHESTER INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY

4. SEMINAR TOPICS Making a good first impression Preparing for the interview 60 second commercial Preparing for a career fair Disclosure and self- accommodation on the job Mock Interviewing Networking LAURIE ACKLES, SPECTRUM SUPPORT PROGRAM ROCHESTER INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY

5. HELPFUL CAREER RESOURCES Social Thinking at Work: Why Should I Care? Michelle Garcia Winner/Pamela Crooke North River Press (Jun 15, 2011) Asperger’s Syndrome Workplace Survival Guide by Barbara A. Bissonnette (2010) The Complete Guide to Finding a Job for Individuals With Asperger’s Syndrome: Find the Right Career and Get Hired by Barbara A. Bissonnette (Nov 16, 2012) LAURIE ACKLES, SPECTRUM SUPPORT PROGRAM ROCHESTER INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY WWW.RIT.EDU/SSP

6. EMPLOYMENT PROGRAMS TARGETING JOB SEEKERS WITH DISABILITIES American Association of People with Disabilities Internship Program: The AAPD manages internship programs for students with all types of disabilities. http://www.aapd.com http://www.aapd.com Emerging Leaders: At Emerging Leaders, we help you find interns with disabilities who are exceptionally qualified, well educated and highly motivated to succeed. http://www.emerging- leaders.com/employers.htm http://www.emerging- leaders.com/employers.htm EntryPoint!: A program of the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS). AAAS identifies and screens undergraduate and graduate students with disabilities who are pursuing degrees in science, engineering, mathematics, computer science, and some fields of business, and places them in paid summer internships.http://ehrweb.aaas.org/entrypoint/http://ehrweb.aaas.org/entrypoint/ Workforce Recruitment Program (WRP): The WRP is a recruitment and referral program that connects federal and private sector employers nationwide with highly motivated postsecondary students and recent graduates with disabilities who are eager to prove their abilities in the workplace through summer or permanent jobs. http://www.wrp.gov http://www.wrp.gov LAURIE ACKLES, SPECTRUM SUPPORT PROGRAM ROCHESTER INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY