Re: : What are social skills in the workplace?

[Guest guest]

Hi Laurie,

I think the below listed social skills are critical to keeping a job:

1) Ability to ask for help

2) Ability to say I don't understand

3) Ability to request a break

Those three skills can be "make or break" on the job. So often, we see people losing their jobs because they did not say "I need help" OR "I am not sure what to do here". Remember these things don't have to be communicated verbally, it may be through sign, pictures, gestures, etc. But, learning to self-manage around these 3 skills is critical to start as early as possible in school.

In a message dated 11/8/2006 6:28:48 PM Pacific Standard Time, jeruefamily@... writes:

In your experience, what are some of the social skills you see as most important to getting and keeping a job for our kids with DDs? And are there any that stick out in your mind as MOST critical?

[Guest guest]

To :

So interesting that those are the top three social skills.

As a parent, I am so focused on the behaviors e.g.; the nose picking, pimple picking and bleeding all over, and a few others along those lines that I forget about the communication.

Another question I have is, how realistic is it to expect that we can develop natural supports at a job? What does that entail? How can people with the most significant disabilities be supported without costly job coaches? We give lip service to employing ALL individuals with disabilities, but, aside from developing a business (which is certainly one way to go), can we realistically obtain competitive employment for individuals with more significant challenges?

Ellen

Ellen Garber Bronfeldegskb@...

Re: : What are social skills in the workplace?

Hi Laurie,

I think the below listed social skills are critical to keeping a job:

1) Ability to ask for help

2) Ability to say I don't understand

3) Ability to request a break

Those three skills can be "make or break" on the job. So often, we see people losing their jobs because they did not say "I need help" OR "I am not sure what to do here". Remember these things don't have to be communicated verbally, it may be through sign, pictures, gestures, etc. But, learning to self-manage around these 3 skills is critical to start as early as possible in school.

In a message dated 11/8/2006 6:28:48 PM Pacific Standard Time, jeruefamilycomcast (DOT) net writes:

In your experience, what are some of the social skills you see as most important to getting and keeping a job for our kids with DDs? And are there any that stick out in your mind as MOST critical?

[Guest guest]

Hi Ellen,

In a message dated 11/9/2006 7:24:58 AM Pacific Standard Time, egskb@... writes:

To :

So interesting that those are the top three social skills.

As a parent, I am so focused on the behaviors e.g.; the nose picking, pimple picking and bleeding all over, and a few others along those lines that I forget about the communication.

** Well, those sound important as well, but communication is always a key part.

Another question I have is, how realistic is it to expect that we can develop natural supports at a job?

** Developing natural supports involves a team that works together - your son, you, the employer, the job placement people, etc. - I think natural supports can be developed, but it takes the help of people who:

1) Know the worker (your son, you)

2) Know the job (employer)

3) Know how to create natural supports (job placement professional)

By working together, it can happen.

What does that entail?

* Planning & being creative - the best natural supports come from a team who analyzes the work barriers and comes up with the most efficient way to navigate them.

How can people with the most significant disabilities be supported without costly job coaches?

* Mentoring, visual supports, personal assistants, work routines, job carving, supervisor/co-worker training, etc - a good job coach will be setting the worker up for independence from the very start no matter the significance of the disability

We give lip service to employing ALL individuals with disabilities, but, aside from developing a business (which is certainly one way to go), can we realistically obtain competitive employment for individuals with more significant challenges?

** I believe we can, but it takes planning, advocacy, and creative supports. Also, now is a great time to start truly changing business attitudes on a large scale basis.

Ellen