Nataliya Poto, M.A Director of LifeMAP Programs; Nataliya.poto@aane ; (617) 393-3824 ext.19

1. AANE’s Vocational Programs: LifeMAPNavigating the Massachusetts Public and Private Supports and Service SystemsFebruary 23, 2019 Nataliya Poto, M.A Director of LifeMAP Programs; Nataliya.poto@aane.org; (617) 393-3824 ext.19

2. Asperger Profile and Adult Life • Employment Challenges for Adults with Asperger Profile • How Asperger Impacts Employment • How Coaching Addresses Employment • AANE’s Vocational Programs (Coaching): • LifeMAP for Teens; CollegeMAP, WorkMAP; • InterviewPREP; Practice Interview • LifeMAP for Over 50

3. Employment Challenges for Adults with Asperger Unemployed Underemployed Obtain a job Maintain a job Our clients Main goals

4. How Asperger Impacts Employment Executive Functioning Organizing/ Planning Prioritizing Initiating Flexibility Time Management

5. How Asperger Impacts Employment Interviewing Interacting with co-workers Networking Social Communication Expressing Reading cues

6. How Asperger Impacts Employment Perspective Taking Sensory Integration Black & White Thinking Hidden Curriculum Detail Oriented

7. How Asperger Impacts Employment Social Communication Executive Functioning Sensory Integration Perspective Taking Hidden Curriculum Black & White Thinking Detail Oriented ANXIETY

8. Strengths • Intelligence • Special Interests • Honesty • Loyalty • Integrity • Strong sense of social justice/ right and wrong • Sincerity • Sense of Humor • Persistence • Gifted • Excellent memory • Don’t play (social) games • Excellent verbal skills • Logical • Learn cognitively what others learn intuitively • INTERESTING!!! 8

9. Individualized Identify obstacles Set practical, measurable goals & develop step-by-step plans to implement those goals Work on relationship issues by building a relationship with your coach Build on your interests and talents Skill building Determine a “good fit” for the work environment How Can Coaching Help?

10. Build confidence through practice and encouragement Different than therapy – practical and interactive, focus on now & forward Can practice in real world situations since coaching takes place where the work needs to be done Develop a disclosure plan if needed Decrease anxiety, Increase self-awareness Can be slow, non-linear, but effective process How Can CoachingHelp?

11. What is LifeMAP? • LifeMAP is an umbrella program developed by • AANE in 2008 • Includes: LifeMAPfor Teens (16+); CollegeMAP; • WorkMAP; etc. • Since then more than 1500 individuals served by 70 coaches • Life coaching around specific goals • Independent living, community access, budgeting, hygiene, college, pre- or employment, etc. • Quality assurance/evidence based • Once a week

12. LifeMAP Subprograms LifeMAP Foundation WorkMAP LifeMAP for Teens CollegeMAP LifeMAP LifeMAP en Espanol LifeMAP for Over 50 Practice Interview Interview PREP

13. How to Access LifeMAP Private Pay – Fee for Service Public School System – part of transition plan – pre or post graduation Occasional small grants - allows sliding scale NHVR, MRC, DDS Through certain employers

14. Improved ability to identify appropriate employment goals Evidence of decreased need for coaching Diminished levels of anxiety with coping strategies identified and implemented related to the goals Ability to communicate with greater independence, thus exhibiting greater confidence when interacting with employers, supervisors, and co-workers Marked improvement in appropriate dress and hygiene Client progress is individualized. Progress is reflective of the goals worked on How is Client Progress Defined for LifeMAP?

15. Educational/professional background All have experience with ASD Special Education teachers Speech Language Pathologists Occupational Therapists Parents Retired business people Clinicians Graduates of Antioch ASD Program Who are our coaches?

16. Goal: Improve Communication with my Boss, Receive Positive Review

17. 10-week curriculum based one on one coaching program. Client works with a coach on specific job interview-related goals. Client participates in a series of recorded practice interviews with professionals, who provide structured feedback on the client’s performance. What is InterviewPREP?Interview Preparation & Rehearsal Employment Program

18. What is Practice Interview? An opportunity to practice and improve interviewing skills. Who are our interviewers? Our interviewers are experienced professionals with extensive knowledge of the interviewing and hiring processes. Where are interviews held? AANE office in Watertown, or at other locations in the Boston area. Practice Interview Program • What are the advantages? • Hands-on practice, valuable experience, and immediate feedback from your interviewer.  • Choice of general or field specific interview, appropriate for any position. • Written feedback and a DVD* of the interview *Video available for interviews in AANE's Watertown office)

19. Questions about today’s presentation? Future questions? Our staff is available anytime. Please contact us at: 617-393-3824 For more information about our coaching programs visit: www.aane.org Nataliya Poto, M.A Director of LifeMAP Programs; Nataliya.poto@aane.org; (617) 393-3824 ext.19 Questions?