How can you coach clients with intellectual disabilities to achieve their career goals?

In my experience observation is the key while working with people with intellectual disabilities. While working or assessing it is essential to observe their likes and dislikes as well as what makes them happy and calm. Once you have identified their interests work on them to find their talents and capabilities.

Understanding what sparks joy in a person can allow you to uncover how they can contribute based on the skills and abilities they have doing something they enjoy. Doing more of what sparks joy and brings happiness is the 🔑 key for neurodivergent and atypical people.

It is my humble opinion as a success and employment specialist that we focus on the things they can do well, harness it , find ways to acknowledge as a confidence builder and provided guidance in a work environment where they flourish at there ability. It’s not so much the weaknesses or challenges we have to work with. It’s the underlying strengths they have. Once this is followed with coaching, support and supervision that individually can have dignity and self respect knowing he/she can contribute to society/workplace in their own unique way.

With clients with intellectual disabilities, I find it very useful to use images or even puppets. Both help the client and the coach to get a clearer picture of the client's thoughts and emotions, above all the hidden ones. This base is a good support to choose the most appropriate tasks, places, and tools. Always welcome emotions and reactions as they are without wanting to change them, but keep your leadership. The client will start feeling safe. Safety, confidence, and trust will help to loosen defense, rigidity, and fear barriers.

Coaching clients with intellectual disabilities involves personalized approaches. Focus on strengths, set clear and achievable goals, provide step-by-step guidance, and adapt communication to suit individual needs. Collaborate with support networks and emphasize a supportive, inclusive environment.

My experience has taught me that telling is not selling. Most people are sold on the idea of career that is based on status, title and income. With no true purpose you can't make meaningful impact. Therefore, as an employment coach I focus on the following: 1)What are some examples of jobs you want to do? 2) Why do you want to do these jobs? 3) What do you need to qualify for these jobs? 4)What are your career pathway options needed to secure your ideal job? 5) Schedule a virtual coffee with a person who has the results you want and learn about there story on how they got there. You are the CEO of your career. Be resourceful and inquiring information that you can leverage.

As a career coach, I can tell you that each person and their disability or disabilities are unique. You cannot expect to coach each one the same, i.e. if a person has anxiety their anxiety can be stimulated from high volume of tasks or large crowds or a person who deaf may learn from sign language and another from reading lips. It hard to explore thus question without thinking about individual needs the same as a company has their own organization needs. Goals are the same but the achievement is different so the coaching has to be geared go what works best for the individual. Doesn't mean you change the goal but it does mean you change the approach; some people are meat and potatoes and other people are 5 course meals.

1. Social Services and Support Roles: Consider positions that involve helping others, such as support worker or community outreach roles. 2. Administrative Assistant: Explore opportunities in administrative roles, utilizing organizational and task-oriented skills. 3. Retail or Customer Service Representative: Look into positions that involve interacting with customers in retail or customer service settings. 4. Technology Support Assistant: Consider roles that require providing technical assistance, leveraging cognitive and problem-solving abilities.

Here's a tip : Tailor job search preparation for clients with intellectual disabilities by focusing on their strengths. Break down tasks, provide clear instructions, and emphasize practical skills. Utilize visual aids and repetition to enhance understanding, ensuring a customized approach that boosts confidence and empowers them to navigate the job search successfully.

My client, a high-functioning man with autism is very talented and held solid roles, however he found himself between jobs. The résumé I wrote him landed him many interviews, but he wasn't landing yet. I gave him actionable tasks to keep him motivated and moving forward while conducting interview/salary coaching and mock interviews. We agreed on a solid salary range to quote. Corporations now make neurodiverse inclusion a priority—companies like Ford Motor Co., Goldman Sachs, Dell, and others. I modified his résumé to market him as a "neurodiverse candidate" in his field. After several interviews with one major company, he was made a great offer at a desirable salary. What a victory! Preparation and a strategic résumé is a win.

In coaching clients with intellectual disabilities, We can focus on personalized strategies, breaking down career goals into manageable steps. Clear instructions, visual aids, and regular progress checks are key. Collaboration with employers ensures an inclusive workspace. Building confidence and empowering clients to advocate for accommodations are integral to their success. It's about creating an environment where everyone has the opportunity to thrive in their chosen careers.

💡Individualized Approach: Tailor coaching methods to each client's unique abilities and challenges. 💡Clear Communication: Use straightforward language, visuals, and repetition for better understanding. 💡Skill Assessment: Identify strengths and areas for improvement to guide skill development. 💡Collaboration: Work closely with support networks, including family and caregivers. 💡Goal Setting: Set realistic and achievable short-term and long-term career goals. 💡Adaptability: Adjust coaching strategies as needed based on the client's progress. 💡Job Matching: Explore opportunities that align with the individual's skills and interests. 💡Continuous Support: Provide ongoing encouragement, reinforcement and guidance .