[kreg]

Where I work they have hired two guys-mid twenties in our department. They have some kind of personality dysfunction. I'm glad our community finds meaningful work for them. It would really be depressing to spend a lifetime at some home sitting all day.

I'm just wondering what classification they are in. Maybe two different ones, but they seem to have similar problems. It might help me to know that so I can help them more. I thought it was Asperger's but they don't really fit the description for it. Both are quite chatty/social. One is taking a welding class, (I can't see any factory hiring him as he's so slow)the other is going deer hunting using shotgun. They have mentioned girl friends. When it comes to performing the job duties they do not do well. Slow and one is very slow and can't seem to understand how to work quickly and efficiently even after working with him and coaching one on one. The other is similar. They have difficulty following instructions for even simple tasks. They seem to learn slowly but very slowly. If a customer should ask either one a question they are mostly incapable of understanding or giving a meaningful answer, so they will ask someone else to help. T's speech is clear but slow and J's speech is slow but frequently mumbles so it can be hard at times to understand what he's saying. T has more of an ego and gets offended and down when he realizes his position in life and that he can't perform like the rest of us. J always seems happy and chatty. I try to help them by explaining how things are done, and having them watch me as an example but I don't know if it helps much.

[leejosepho]

Many years ago I knew a man who was never successful at anything more challenging than picking up trash and sweeping the factory floor. I have no idea what kind of diagnosis he might have had, and I have since met others like him who could only ever accomplish mundane, repetitive tasks. Finding a place for such folks while also guarding their dignity can be demanding, and I commend your company and yourself for making an honest effort to try to do that.

[MickeyCheeky]

It's great that you're trying your best to help them.. that makes you a good person Wish you the best of luck!

Well, it could be a low functioning IQ.

[kreg]

Originally Posted by justafriend306

Well, it could be a low functioning IQ.

Maybe I guess. Both these guys upon passing them at work, one will always say 'how are you buddy' and the other will say 'Hi kreg' and it doesn't matter if it was only two minutes ago they will still say this. Doesn't this sound like autism or Asperger's? What else can it be? It's not manic dep or schizotypal or related. They just can't do much more than the basic tasks and sometimes not even that.

I am understanding here that they are verbal which is not common for Autism. Aspergers is marked by social awkwardness, inability to read non-verbal communication like body language, and even inappropriate social behavior. In my understanding autism and aspergers does not result in reduced IQ - which is what I have interpreted from your description.

I employed two special needs persons as a manager of a Starbucks. The developmentally delayed woman was wonderful at repetitive tasks. The autistic woman however was always ready to perform changing duties and was capable of multitasking including duties that required critical thinking. Both were a pleasure incidentally to have on my staff.