Strategies for Employment Success for ASD - Sensory
Proprioceptive System
The Proprioceptive System provides awareness of body position via the feedback from receptors in joints and muscles. It is activated by compression or extension of muscles, joints, and tendons. This system provides awareness of where the body is in space, body awareness (without using the visual system) and motor planning
Characteristics of Proprioceptive Sensitivities
- Frequent jumping, spinning.
- Pushing against walls.
- May sit on their hands.
- May cover self with blankets and pillows or tend sit in snug locations.
- Appears clumsy with a tendency to bump into walls.
- Odd body posture.
- Poor handwriting, resists handwriting.
- Disorganized with materials and disorganized thinking.
- Difficulty manipulating small items - buttons and zippers.
- Resists new motor movements.
Strategies to Address Challenges
- Provide time in an individual's day to exercise to refocus on job tasks.
- Include tasks involving lifting and pushing heavy items in the daily schedule
- Allow pacing, walking, stretching.
- Identify exercises that can be done in a variety of settings- sitting or standing.
- Weighted vest, belts, blankets may be able to be incorporated into the work environment to provide sensory input and improve time on task.
- Use workspace that allows for collaboration, independent work and ergonomic accessible working space.
Considerations for Employment:
While every individual is unique and no one aspect of the individual's strengths or challenges can determine the right employment options, it is critical not to assume individuals with ASD cannot succeed in many environments. In some situations, the differences may actually be the factor that leads to unique employment opportunities. Employment examples below are offered as a way to think differently about the potential of individuals with ASD.
- Animal handler
- Livestock production
- Yoga instructor
- Health field- strength and conditioning trainor.
- Develop workspace that allows for collaboration, independent work and ergonomic accessible working space.
- Describe from another perspective to how a child or adult may experience a ride or public activity from the physical environment.
- Arrange a work space with needed materials in an accessible way.