Telephone tutorial: Supporting employees with autism in the workplace

15th October 2009, 3:00pm - 4:00pm

Free to gold members. Please indicate your gold status when completing your on-line booking form to receive your free place.

Not sure if you are a gold member? Click here to see an updated list of our gold members.

Around 500,000 people in the UK are affected by autism, a little understood disability that causes complex social, emotional and communication difficulties. Asperger syndrome is a form of autism, and shares some characteristics with it.

People with autism experience difficulties in understanding and interpreting other people's verbal and non-verbal behaviour, motivations and expectations, and can find social interaction confusing.

Many people with autism want to work and provide a substantial source of untapped talent. There is a misconception that people with autism cannot cope with work or are only able to undertake routine, methodical jobs. However, with the correct training and support they are capable of developing their potential in employment like anyone else.

Due to popular demand we will be re-running this popular Telephone Tutorial, which will give you an informative and insightful insight into Autism relating to employment.  The session will be led by a member of EFD's Disability Directions team.  We will be joined by Noel Hastings, Senior Employment Consultant with the National Autistic Society's Prospects Employment Service.  

The National Autistic Society is the national charity for people with autism and Asperger syndrome, and is in a unique position to offer job-finding and employment support services to people with these disabilities.

Why attend?

This Telephone Tutorial enables you to:

• Develop an understanding of autism and the issues related to employment.
• Get an overview of the Disability Discrimination Act (DDA) part II and your duty to as an employer to make reasonable adjustments.
• Develop your knowledge on how to make reasonable adjustments in the recruitment process and during employment, using real life case studies.
• Get up to date thinking and useful ideas on how to effectively manage individuals with autism and how this might impact on the rest of your team.
• Ask experts questions about issues you may be facing in the workplace.

Alternative arrangements can be made for delegates with specific requirements. 

Who should attend?

HR specialists, Occupational health professionals and line managers responsible for managing staff.