A Hard Case for Soft Skills

Success in life depends on many factors, and not just those measured by IQ, grades, and standardized achievements tests. Many individual’s with ASD have deep passionate interests, or strong specialized science and technology skills with an eagerness to learn. Yet, they often feel they are outsiders and struggle to fit in, both personally and socially, which can lead to failure. Research evidence suggests soft skills predict life success. Soft skills change over the life cycle and can be further enhanced in pursuance of specialized hard skills, striving for personal heart desires, developing artistic talents, and movement through adversity. A model is offered for application in universities, employment, self employment and in self determination initiatives.

Policy makers who rely solely on achievement tests and IQ, need to understand that interventions in soft skills have an important place in a portfolio of public policies to foster human development.
The populations to benefit include individuals with hidden disabilities, ASD, ADHD, and students from disadvantaged backgrounds.

Dr. Jacquelyn Marquette, Ph.D.

Dr. Jacquelyn Marquette is an autism specialist, consultant, author, researcher, and creator of the Capability Approach as it relates to vocation, life goals, and interdependent living. She has a Ph.D. from University of Louisville. Since 1998 she has been in private practice consulting on behalf of persons with autism in school transition or in challenging life phases. Her adult son, Trent Altman, is a 4 time award winning international artist and has autism. www.independencebound.com