A game-like card activity to promote workplace readiness in teens and young adults on the autism spectrum, in printable and screen-based versions.

In German: Bereit für den Arbeitsplatz – Karten

To engage teens and young adults on the spectrum in productive discussions about preparing for adulthood, I have found it useful to employ various media and game-like methods. Q & A card resources are one of my mainstays. This method helps to break up the usual adult-questioning-the-child dynamic in therapy and teaching. And in small-group and classroom work, the turn-taking format helps to give everyone, including quieter participants, the chance to talk.

Ways to use these cards

There are six categories of cards, allowing for a game-like element by rolling a die to determine which card a participant has to select.

But you may feel free to use these cards however you like. For example, you can pick through the deck and select the cards you think are most relevant and helpful for the young people you are assisting. You may decide to focus on just one single category of card.

For another card-based resource to explore much broader themes of preparing for adulthood, check out Young Adult Future Cards.

Here are the six different card categories.

You, the facilitator in this activity, can use the “Fix the Thought” cards in the following manner if you like: You, the facilitator, play the role of a person having this thought. The participants talk to you and offer you alternative ways of thinking.

If you would like to expand on the theme of automatic negative thoughts, check out this video and this resource on “Poison Thoughts.”

You, the facilitator, play an active role with these “Act it Out” cards. Each card gives “stage directions” for carrying out a very short role play.

These cards are part of a series of vocational preparation materials, which you may access by clicking on the links below.

Joel Shaul, LCSW

Intro: Workplace preparation resources for young people with ASD

Part 2: Workplace preparation – printable teaching panels

Part 3: Workplace preparation – Q & A cards

Part 4: Job interview skills – how to teach it and provide practice