April is World Autism Awareness Month. It is a month which aims to shine a light on Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and provides an opportunity for Global Skills to advocate strength-based employment practices.

In advocating strength-based employment practices, Global Skills encourages employers to take not only a candidate’s technical skills into account but to also consider their natural talent and motivation for the job. This approach can provide real benefits including a much lower employee turnover rate.

Global Skills job seeker Jeremy is living with ASD and has sustained employment since July 2021. He says the traits that come with ASD are beneficial to his Specialist Cleaning Services role, “In this job, my Aspergers (ASD) is a benefit to the employer as other people may not enjoy a job that is so repetitive, yet I love it. Having a job that is repetitive day in and day out is perfect for me.”

Global Skills job seeker Darius is also living with ASD and has sustained employment since October 2021. He describes the unique skills he brings to his clothing retail role, “I have a very keen attention to detail. When I look at a customer, I take in every single facet of their features, eyes, height, hair colour, everything and I sort through in my head what we have that would suit them. I can picture in my head how it will look without them having to try it on. I can formulate multiple ideas in my head for what works and I am frequently told that I am great at customer service.”

While strength-based employment practices ask employers to focus on the strengths of candidates living with ASD, it also acknowledges that workplace support may be needed. Both Darius and Jeremy credit the support they have received from Global Skills Disability Employment Services (DES) and their respective employers, with sustained employment. 

Jeremy’s advice for employers is, “Keep an open mind. We are all different. We each have our own limits but also strengths.”

To learn more about Global Skills DES services go to https://www.globalskills.com.au/employers

Read Jeremy’s Story: https://www.globalskills.com.au/celebrating-jeremy/

Read Darius’ Story: https://www.globalskills.com.au/in-recognition-of-world-autism-day-darius-shares-his-story/