I am a mother of an autistic child plus my daughter is friends with a couple of autistic kids. the one (5th grade) is learning wise 2 years ahead of her class. your friend should go for any job.

Depending on where your friend is on the autism spectrum and the compatability of the chosen occupation will be larger factors determining his success.

Trade schools and programs like Job Corps can be a way to get job skills for Asperger’s patients that find academia frustrating (due to attention deficit, dyslexia, social climate, etc). Asperger’s patients are often tactile learners anyway, so ‘hands on’ training really suits them.

(A hint for tactile learners, place a short strip of sticky back velcro (hooks or loops, your choice) on the border of your writing surface (binder or clipboard). You can rub this with your non-writing hand while you either listen or take notes during lectures. It will really help with your retention and keep you on task.)

You wondered if they could refuse him entry into their program. The Americans with Disabilities Act should prevent him from being barred, but if his autism is severe perhaps he might need further assistance.

Goodwill Industries had a ‘mentoring’ program where someone accompanies them to work for the first few days/weeks until a handicapped person can perform well on their own. If your friend is in need of more help than Job Corps can offer, perhaps you suggest the Goodwill program or one like it. He might even get help from Goodwill to get enrolled into a program like Job Corps as well as the help for his initial job acclimation.