Asperger's Syndrome Workplace Guidelines

I. MEET WORKPLACE EXPECTATIONS:
1. available for work as agreed
2. follows instructions
3. quantity and quality of completed tasks
4. works with others

II. OBSERVE WORKPLACE NORMS:
1. rules and procedures
2. unwritten rules
3. stay within area of responsibility
4. don't offer unsolicited advice.

III. FITTING IN AND GETTING ALONG:
1. friendly, open, helpful, reliable
2.. emulate friendly behaviours
3. small talk, chat about others' hobbies
SUCCESS IN NEUROTYPICAL WORKPLACE DEPENDS MORE ON GETTING ALONG WITH OTHERS THAN RAW INTELLIGENCE

IV. BEING RIGHT OR BEING LIKED?
1. client defines problem and end state
2. I help the client to resolve the problem
3. I need to be liked to achieve that goal
4. when client strays despite warnings, I can focus on a minor goal, no need to be sour, uncooperative or unfriendly

V. CONVERSATIONS:
1. define meeting objectives and agenda
2.. follow agenda
3. show I am listening.
4. take turns - 'may I interject?'
5. ask for contributions from all
6. avoid putting anyone in bad light

VI. HARD CONVERSATIONS:
1. prep and detailed agenda if possible
2. control emotions - breathe deeply
3. we agree on x, however we don't on Y
4. remind we work towards same goal
5. suggest sleeping on the problem

VII. AVOID ROCKING THE BOAT
1. client defines the goal
2. do not 'put the cat among the pigeons'
3. do not raise issues that all avoid
4. discuss hard issues internally first
5. a completely different angle - offer the insight to the PM and let him decide

VIII. CALMING:
1. Apple Watch spots quick heart rate
2. take a couple of deep breaths
3. drink some water, 4. stretch
5 stand up and look through the window
6. close eyes and imagine a happy place
5. take a half-hour break

IX. TRUST:
1. key to being liked 2.. fulfill promises
3. a friend in need is a friend indeed
4. discuss hard topic one-to-one
5. never put in bad light
6. avoid shaking up, annoying or offending
7. show that I understand his perspective

X. OFFICE BUDDY:
1. reality check
2. unspoken expectations
3. what annoys the client?
4. was I rude?
5. was that a joke or a put-down?

XI. HIERARCHY
A. I know my characteristics
B. I assess his characteristics
C. I assess who has the upper hand
A1. He knows his characteristics
B1: He assess mine
C1: he assess who has the upper hand
D. Establishing hierarchy

XII. ORDER OF PRECEDENCE:
1. adult/child, 2. age, 3. sex (gender, sex. or),
4. strength (men), 5. attractiv. (women),
6. health / disability,
6. race, 7. ethnicity, 8. region, 9. nationality,
10. wealth, 11. religion, 12 class, social, cultural capital, accent 13. education,
14. profession, 15. intelligence.

XIII. DISCRIMINATION
Protected characteristics:
1. Age 2. Sex, gender, sexual orientation,
3. Race (with ethnicity and nationality),
4. religion, 5. marital status,
6. children, 7. disability

XIV. DEALING WITH CHANGE

XV. DEALING WITH AMBIGUITY

XVI. DEALING WITH LACK OF CLOSURE

XVII. EGOISM/
ALTRUISM/
RECIPROCITY