SCHOOL OF EDUCATION AND SOCIAL SCIENCES

JULY 2017

ASSIGNMENT 1

BACHELOR IN COUNSELING & GUIDANCE

ECG21603 CAREER COUNSELING

NAME OF GROUP MEMBERS:

NO NAME MATRIC NO SIGNATURE

1. Shahira Affandee 012015091021

LECTURER: MADAM

DATE OF SUBMISSION: 18TH JULY 2017

 Introduction

Career counselling is no longer a taboo in the society. However, its relevance are still
questioned especially towards special population whereby there are limited exposure and
sources to guarantee the prominence of such counselling to this diverse population. Career
counselling, also known as career guidance, is counselling designed to help with choosing,
changing, or leaving a career and is available at any stage in life. Retrieved from
http://www.goodtherapy.org/learn-about-therapy/issues/career-counseling.

One's career is often one of the most important aspects of adulthood. Looking at a
smaller context of the Autism spectrum, the whole idea of Autism is well known and
understood by todays society but it is hard to assure the career opportunity and prospects for
this specific group of people therefore the research on Career Counselling for people with
Autism Spectrum and Asperger is highly essential.
 Content

Autism is defined as a spectrum as it breaks into several types and severity that can be classified
such as Autistic Disorder, Aspergers Disorder, Retts Disorder, Childhood Disintegrative
Disorder and etc(DSM VI). Asperger syndrome was generally considered to be on the high
functioning end of the spectrum. Affected children and adults have difficulty with social
interactions and exhibit a restricted range of interests and/or repetitive behaviours but it differs
from some minimal aspect that both may appear to be alike. Compared with classic autism,
children with Asperger Syndrome have IQs that fall in the normal or even superior range. To
many, they may seem just like other children but not quite: children with AS are socially
awkward in a manner that none can truly described or explained. This results to how some
healthcare providers may overlooked seeing Asperger Syndrome symptoms in their young
patients, or may misdiagnose it completely.

The late development of complex social skill, such as peer interaction, also provides on
why some parents don't seek help until much later compared to those whose kids display a
more profound or more obvious set of symptoms from a very young age. Retrieved from
https://www.autismspeaks.org/family-services/tool-kits/asperger-syndrome-and-high-
functioning-autism-tool-kit/how-are-and-hfa-dif

Hwa Q. in the journal of Career Guidance and Counselling in Malaysia: Development

and Trends, stated that in the early 1980s, guidance services including career counselling were
practised with wide variations. This means counselling was conducted by counsellors who had
various types of training; the ethics also varied among counsellors; the performance among
counsellors were quite different and the nature of services termed as counselling also was not
uniform among counsellors in school and non-school settings. With this being said, it is proven
how Career Counselling has come a long way in Malaysia but still, even with the discussion
on the development of Career Guidance & Counselling in Malaysia, there were still lack of
evidence on whether or not Career Counselling help for Autism and Asperger syndrome was,
is or will be available for this group of individuals. Further research on this exact matter for
special needs career counselling should be done in this country.

Based on the journal of Vocational Rehabilitation In their own words: The career
planning experiences of college students with ASD by Lori W.& Evans E. (2014), with
purposive sampling method they interviewed 18 Autism Spectrum disorder participants who
attended community colleges and/or universities in Virginia and ranged from freshmen through
graduate school. It was stated that most of the participants did seek input about careers from a
variety of individuals, including family members and high school and college staff. However,
it became apparent that career centres were the least likely source for information and support.
Campus career centres can provide a wealth of resources and information including job search
skills, career advising, interview preparation, career development workshops and on-campus
interviewing. As a result, it is important that college campus service providers work together
with students with ASD to help them better utilize these types of services, and to assist career
centre staff on how best to serve students with ASD, especially since these students typically
have limited job readiness skills (Wolf et al., 2009).

It can be established that the students with Asperger syndrome were well aware of their
abilities, their career choice, choosing major, their use of career centre and passion. Most of
them were said to be passionate in talking about their interest. However, they are not able to
divert these competences properly as the sources of reference provided by their career
counselling centre werent well fitted to their situation. With the limitations that comes with
people with Asperger syndrome, it is critical to develop strategies that assist students with ASD
in exploring their interests, strengths, and opportunities to apply academic knowledge in a
practical way prior to entering their profession.

Abiola O. While many school counselors have excellent skills in assessment,

advising, and career planning, it is worthwhile to expand these to include working with students
with disabilities, particularly those diagnosed with HASD. According to Auger (2013),
Students with ASDs present unique challenges to schools and school counselors. There is
general agreement that there is an overwhelming shortage of professionals who have the
knowledge and skills to serve the needs of youth with ASDs (Myles & Simpson, 2001; U.S.
Senate, 2002).

The shortage of professionals for the ASD youth is not only stirring in the Western
country but especially in Malaysia. This scenario were presented again by Hwa Q. School
Guidance Teachers at that time(1980s) followed the Code of Ethics of the Malaysian
Counselling Association. Elsewhere, in the private sector, career counselling was limited.
Given the above scenario of the early 1980s, it seemed that career counselling was like a type
of folkway practice. As such, the career counsellor could be any personnel who had some, little
or no professional training in guidance and counselling.
 This made a picture on how the basic Career counselling provision is lacking, therefore
what more is it for Career Counselling for Autism spectrum or Asperger syndrome where it
has been stated clearly how the overall arena of our Career Counselling could be filled with
personnel even with no professional training in guidance and counselling. Especially for this
special needs group of people, the intensity and difference in social, educational, physical needs
may require a much more concentrated career counselling content but it is grasped to be
invisible in Malaysia.

Malaysia being a part of the Asian stereotypical culture are known to be very
socialistic unlike the westerns. All the decisions especially in the career choice are to represent
the family. Pope, M. and associates (2002) stated Malaysian families have traditionally placed
importance and status on professional occupations; therefore, these positions are more valued
than others. As countries move from an agrarian economy to an industrial one, a broader
spectrum of professional occupations are created (Watts, 1996).

However, as reported by Singaravelu (1998), the list of acceptable occupations is

expanding as more and more Asians are now selecting nontraditional professional fields in
liberal arts and communications. This is mostly favourable especially for those in the Autism
Spectrum and Asperger syndrome where it cant be guaranteed how professional and non-
professional jobs will be adaptable for such distinct proficiencies. Each of these individuals
have different needs in each angles of life that may require them to seek careers that may be
beyond the norms of society or in other words "creative". This is where career counselling will
come in handy in reviewing the possibilities and opportunities available to these special needs
people rather than just holding onto the whole Asian working and career conceptmust be
professionals. With counselling career as well, the welfares for them working field in Malaysia
can be examined widely, covering the uniqe ways they might need to go through in achieving
their goals.
 Discussion

Malaysia is the country that is well known of its cultural and race diversity. However, it is often
overlooked how diversity may include those who are generally distinctive from us and this
includes the special needs people and those with different abilities such as individuals with
Asperger Syndrome and Autism Spectrum. Many may not know that this group of people
(autisms) may be lacking in their social aspectsas autism is a social impairment and not
mostly mentally. Therefore, most of them are able to work but in their own special unique
difference. This is to say that each of those with Autism or Asperger syndrome has certain area
that outshines the rest of their mutilation such as a 27 year old man with Autism may also have
a slow learning issue but his soft skills in arts and wood craft is recognisable.

Dipeolu A. (2014) There is much that can be done to help students diagnosed with
an ASD. School counsellors are crucial in removing barriers and opening doors to additional
possibilities. Using a strengths based approach, school counselors can use academic strategies,
personal-social skills and career planning to improve the chances for advanced training, higher
education and gainful employment for all students, especially those with ASD. Retrieved from
https://associationdatabase.com/aws/NCDA/pt/sd/news_article/89947/_PARENT/layout_deta
ils_cc/true

As a career counsellor, how do we help them to make this an advantage not only to the
individual but also to the nation and economy? How can we help them identify the area that is
possible for them to pursue as a lifelong sense of accomplishment and contentment? These are
the things that all Career Guidance counsellor needs to be able to fully grasp especially in
Malaysia where we have the ever growing awareness on individuals with Autism. We need to
take a step further in making sure they are included in contributing to the country and to make
them a fully functioning human beingthere are still some secluded case with people with
autism are viewed as useless and no future.

In westerns country, instead of sending this group of people to school to learn how
normal people would learn, they are taught on surviving. How to earn money, how to write
the bus, how to count their taxes, what to do in times of emergency and such. Its basically
what is needed in an everyday normal life. Whereby in Malaysia, we are so focused on making
sure they are relevant on paper instead of leading them to a much more sufficient life
serenityin this case, a job, and a career. Career counselling in Malaysia may not be as taboo
as it used to be but then again, special attention on this special group of people needs
professionals. Professionals who understands what they are expecting from the career
counselling, who are well aware of all the characteristics and troubles these people with
Asperger Syndrome or autism may face every day.

The Star newspaper notes that 1 in 625 Malaysian children is autistic, which means that
at least 32,000 Malaysians are diagnosed with autistic. This number may represent only those
that are able to be diagnosed and detected, how about those that wasnt under the radar? 32,000
in a small country as Malaysia could make a huge difference. Many form of awareness
campaign and education has been done for the country lately. The Early Autism Project has
stated that because it is a disorder that not only affects one individual but families which in turn
has an effect on society in general, it is vital for the public, lay and professionals included, to
be informed on the disorder. Thus, educating the public about autism has been the focus of
large-scale initiatives over the past few years. Retrieved from
http://www.autismmalaysia.com/blog/autism-awareness-in-malaysia.

With the increasing in number and awareness about the individual with Autism, the
career counselling specifically for this group is supposed to be adhered by now. My whole idea
of Career Counselling for Autism Spectrum and Asperger Syndrome lies on fulfilling their
whole characteristics for a job. They may also be known to not be able to multi task, do we as
career counsellors brush up that particular area or find a career or opening that would be a
thriving fit for that characteristic? Studies in such conflicts should be conducted. Career
counselling often starts in school. Although there is no cure, adaptations can be made with
accommodations and emotional support which can increase likelihood for success at school. A
critical barrier to servicing these students is limited awareness among clinicians and educators
(Dipeolu, Storlie, & Johnson, in press). So how can school counsellors assist students as they
plan for future training, education, and career planning?

What pushes the need of the Career Counselling for Autism or those with special need
is also that one of the requirements for them to be eligible to get the fund help from the
government (special monthly financial allocation for OKU) is to have a job that comes with a
pay slip. The whole process of it is somehow rather complicated and questionable how do you
expect a mentally retarded person to have a job, then only theyll get the help. They arent able
to work, that is why the government needs to help!this is the common sighs that can be
heard all around. It would require the individual to present at least 3 months of pay slip
accompanied by the employer letter of recommendation and guarantee. However, it can be
logical in a certain aspect where the government would want to invest to those who contributed
to the economy of the country. As impossible or difficult as it is, this should be the catalyst for
the career counsellors to be the door of opportunities and help for this concern of those with
special abilities.

In career guidance, a specially trained counsellor would be someone for them to talk to
about their thoughts, ideas, feelings, and concerns about career and educational choices. Career
counsellor should help in identifying the factors influencing their career development, and help
in assessing interests, abilities, and values. Autisms are said to be those who gets boring easily,
needs a constant adrenaline rush thought not allespecially those with Asperger or HFA,
this shall not be presented in ALL of the individuals, though in some cases it really is a factor.
Therefore, careful career choice should be made. One second they may be interested in
carpentry, the next second would be drawing. This is why we need professionals who truly
understand the whole autism spectrum. The career resources and information in Malaysia is no
longer an issue. The job description is everywherewe know what they want, what they need.
This is a huge support for those with special needs to comply in determining the next steps and
developing their goals.

The government has also now open the opportunity for these individuals to go on
special training that would allow them to have a job or career in the future such as Pusat
Kemahiran Negara which those with a High Functioning mental disability that passes at least
2 subjects in their PMR exams would be qualified to get into. Training such as hospitality,
machining, carpentry, salon, business are all made available. However, it is a little conflicted
as how in the centre, they are to be taught and mixed with normal students. It is argued that it
may arise some other issue like self-inferiority, unprofessional teaching and bullying.
Therefore, what other choices do these people have in order to get the adequate training? That
is why the career counsellor needs to come in the picture in assisting them not only in career
choices, but the steps needed to it.
Conclusion

Different abilities and requirements on this particular group is actually the big call needed for
career counselling to be introduced to these people with Autism Spectrum in Malaysia.