0:00:02 > 0:00:05This programme contains some strong language
0:00:05 > 0:00:07Could I state my employment history so far?
0:00:07 > 0:00:09Yes, I have literally never worked before in my life.
0:00:09 > 0:00:11- Ever?- Ever.
0:00:11 > 0:00:13How many jobs would you say you've applied for?
0:00:13 > 0:00:16Hundreds of jobs.
0:00:16 > 0:00:18What was your last job?
0:00:18 > 0:00:20Hey. Hey! Stripper.
0:00:20 > 0:00:23- HE COUGHS:- This interview is not going well.
0:00:23 > 0:00:28Employers always say they want candidates who think differently,
0:00:28 > 0:00:31but how much do they really mean it?
0:00:31 > 0:00:34- HE TICS - How important is it you find work?
0:00:34 > 0:00:37I... I want to lead a normal life, like anybody else does.
0:00:37 > 0:00:40Meet the extraordinary job seekers...
0:00:40 > 0:00:41Chicken.
0:00:41 > 0:00:44..whose brains are wired differently.
0:00:44 > 0:00:47What do you think your biggest weakness is?
0:00:47 > 0:00:48I shave my pubes.
0:00:48 > 0:00:51SHE LAUGHS
0:00:52 > 0:00:54That shouldn't be a problem in this job.
0:00:54 > 0:00:56Good, thank you!
0:00:56 > 0:00:59In a world where the workplace is set up for the norm,
0:00:59 > 0:01:02it's been impossible for them to succeed at work.
0:01:02 > 0:01:04Until now.
0:01:04 > 0:01:08Businesses are starting to realise that neurodiverse conditions
0:01:08 > 0:01:11like autism and Tourette's can bring creativity,
0:01:11 > 0:01:14innovation and real brilliance into the workplace.
0:01:14 > 0:01:16With the help of leading scientists,
0:01:16 > 0:01:19they'll uncover their unique abilities.
0:01:19 > 0:01:23The numbers just kept coming in the right order. Tick, tick, tick.
0:01:23 > 0:01:24How is she even doing that?
0:01:24 > 0:01:28Wow. I didn't see that coming. Goodness me. That is so impressive.
0:01:28 > 0:01:31And battle to overcome their challenges.
0:01:31 > 0:01:33This, I can't... I don't know how to control this.
0:01:33 > 0:01:36I am hating this, right? This is so awkward.
0:01:36 > 0:01:38Hey! Hey, hey, hey!
0:01:38 > 0:01:40To prove to employers how their difference...
0:01:40 > 0:01:42Trust in thine armour to succeed.
0:01:42 > 0:01:45..could actually be a strength.
0:01:45 > 0:01:46Do you think you'd fit in here?
0:01:46 > 0:01:49And when the job match is right...
0:01:49 > 0:01:51Sold for £24 to the little gentleman over there.
0:01:51 > 0:01:53Perfect.
0:01:53 > 0:01:55..it could change their life for ever.
0:01:55 > 0:01:58So what would it mean to finally get the right job?
0:01:58 > 0:02:01- HE TICS - It would mean the world.
0:02:21 > 0:02:25If you could describe yourself in one word, what would that be?
0:02:25 > 0:02:29I suppose...unique.
0:02:29 > 0:02:33There's no-one else out there, that I'm aware of, with my own
0:02:33 > 0:02:37unique combination of skills and peccadilloes, if you will.
0:02:40 > 0:02:4427-year-old Ben lives with his dad Mark.
0:02:44 > 0:02:46They go everywhere together.
0:02:46 > 0:02:51Wallet, keys, phone, bus pass,
0:02:51 > 0:02:53iPod, inhaler.
0:02:53 > 0:02:56- Right, I've got everything. - Right, got everything?- Yeah.
0:02:56 > 0:02:57Off we go, then.
0:02:57 > 0:03:00Diagnosed with Asperger syndrome whilst at school,
0:03:00 > 0:03:04Ben sometimes finds the outside world a challenging place.
0:03:04 > 0:03:07It's not a not-full bus. That's a rather full bus.
0:03:07 > 0:03:10- We'll wait for the next one, yeah? - If that's OK, yeah.
0:03:10 > 0:03:14His condition can make him overwhelmed by crowds.
0:03:14 > 0:03:18I don't really like to get on a bus that's that full
0:03:18 > 0:03:19unless I really have to.
0:03:19 > 0:03:23The crush of people is very unsettling.
0:03:23 > 0:03:25And how often do you not get on the bus?
0:03:25 > 0:03:27Quite often!
0:03:27 > 0:03:31One out of every three, maybe, I won't get on.
0:03:31 > 0:03:34Oh, there are people in the shelter so we need to stop here.
0:03:34 > 0:03:36He's also a stickler for the rules.
0:03:36 > 0:03:39You'll have other people coming, they'll get in front of you.
0:03:39 > 0:03:41So long as I'm doing the correct thing,
0:03:41 > 0:03:45- I don't care what other people do. - These ladies can get on before us.
0:03:45 > 0:03:46- LADY:- You're a gent.
0:03:46 > 0:03:50- No, the queue's here. Here is where I will stand.- OK, all right.
0:03:50 > 0:03:52I don't care what anyone else does,
0:03:52 > 0:03:55- so long as I'm doing the correct thing.- Inner calm, lad.
0:03:55 > 0:03:57I'm perfectly calm. You're the one saying I'm not.
0:03:57 > 0:03:59Right, OK.
0:03:59 > 0:04:02A common aspect of Asperger syndrome
0:04:02 > 0:04:05is an inability to cope with stress and anxiety.
0:04:05 > 0:04:08Ben has been working on coping strategies
0:04:08 > 0:04:10to overcome this.
0:04:10 > 0:04:13This is my helmet.
0:04:15 > 0:04:19A museum quality replica of a medieval great helm,
0:04:19 > 0:04:22made of 18-gauge riveted steel.
0:04:28 > 0:04:32If things are getting a bit much, in like a sensory aspect,
0:04:32 > 0:04:36things getting too noisy or overwhelming,
0:04:36 > 0:04:38then I can just pop this on for a couple of minutes.
0:04:40 > 0:04:43And then I can go back to what I was doing.
0:04:43 > 0:04:46Trust in thine armour to protect you to succeed.
0:04:46 > 0:04:52Every aspect of Ben's life is geared towards avoiding unpredictability.
0:04:52 > 0:04:54I live my life by rules.
0:04:54 > 0:04:58Without rules, without order, there is only chaos.
0:04:58 > 0:05:01And with chaos, we are nothing.
0:05:01 > 0:05:05Well, this is my room, or my chambers, if you prefer.
0:05:05 > 0:05:11Ben is so dedicated to the rules that he's devoted most of his adult life to studying them,
0:05:11 > 0:05:14and was the first in the family to go to university.
0:05:16 > 0:05:18Lawyering Skills And The Legal Process.
0:05:18 > 0:05:22I have a Bachelor of Laws undergraduate degree
0:05:22 > 0:05:25and a postgraduate diploma of legal practice.
0:05:25 > 0:05:29What law is is us turning and looking at our base nature
0:05:29 > 0:05:34and saying, "I will not," rather than, "Thou shalt not."
0:05:34 > 0:05:38I worship the law the same way others might worship a deity.
0:05:39 > 0:05:44Ben's sense of order even extends to the way he applies for jobs.
0:05:44 > 0:05:46He won't send a new application
0:05:46 > 0:05:48until he's received a reply from the last.
0:05:48 > 0:05:52I always viewed it as bad manners to do anything other than
0:05:52 > 0:05:54contact one firm at a time.
0:05:54 > 0:05:59Over three years, he's managed to apply for over 40 legal positions
0:05:59 > 0:06:01using this systematic approach.
0:06:01 > 0:06:02"Thank you for your letter and CV.
0:06:02 > 0:06:06"Our books are closed for training contracts commencing 2017."
0:06:06 > 0:06:08But despite his qualifications,
0:06:08 > 0:06:11he's never even been offered an interview, let alone a job.
0:06:11 > 0:06:14"Unfortunately we are a very small firm
0:06:14 > 0:06:16"and are currently fully staffed."
0:06:18 > 0:06:21As far as I'm concerned, he's done everything that's been asked of him.
0:06:21 > 0:06:25Everything. School, college, university.
0:06:25 > 0:06:28There should be something at the end of the line.
0:06:28 > 0:06:31A lot of employers see Asperger syndrome on his CV
0:06:31 > 0:06:34and companies are not prepared to take the chance
0:06:34 > 0:06:38and give the support that a youngster like Ben needs.
0:06:38 > 0:06:40I don't know. It's just...
0:06:40 > 0:06:44It's like banging your head against a brick wall sometimes.
0:06:44 > 0:06:49And as his dad, or his father as he likes to call me,
0:06:49 > 0:06:54it's my job to try and, you know, reassure him.
0:06:54 > 0:06:57Try and pick him up, try and motivate him.
0:06:57 > 0:07:03It's just a spreading miasma of despair sometimes.
0:07:08 > 0:07:11- BLEEP- this folder.
0:07:17 > 0:07:20SHE TICS
0:07:20 > 0:07:24I would describe my Tourette's as a little devil.
0:07:24 > 0:07:27I talk about my mum's pubes.
0:07:27 > 0:07:29I talk about my mum's pubes a lot.
0:07:32 > 0:07:37Anything that you would think to yourself,
0:07:37 > 0:07:40I'd better not say that, I'm saying it.
0:07:40 > 0:07:43And everyone's going to hear it.
0:07:44 > 0:07:46Ginger pubes.
0:07:48 > 0:07:51Ellie worked ever since leaving school.
0:07:51 > 0:07:53Japan.
0:07:53 > 0:07:55Until one day, two years ago,
0:07:55 > 0:07:57everything changed.
0:07:57 > 0:07:58You look like a twat.
0:07:58 > 0:08:01'I was working as a community support worker.
0:08:01 > 0:08:05'On my way home, went to get a sandwich from a supermarket.'
0:08:05 > 0:08:06Hiya, thank you.
0:08:06 > 0:08:11All of a sudden, I started ticking "marshmallow."
0:08:11 > 0:08:14You lanky prick.
0:08:14 > 0:08:15And I was like...
0:08:15 > 0:08:18Everyone started looking at me.
0:08:19 > 0:08:25I'm only just getting to grips with what it actually is,
0:08:25 > 0:08:28and what it actually is for me.
0:08:31 > 0:08:32- BLEEP- buttons.
0:08:32 > 0:08:35When Ellie was diagnosed with full-blown Tourette's...
0:08:35 > 0:08:36- BLEEP- go then.
0:08:36 > 0:08:39..she lost her job and has been unemployed ever since.
0:08:39 > 0:08:42Stinks of piss.
0:08:42 > 0:08:45Looking for work has become a daily task,
0:08:45 > 0:08:47and without a printer at home,
0:08:47 > 0:08:50she has to brave the local library to print CVs.
0:08:50 > 0:08:52Slow as shit.
0:08:53 > 0:08:57People always moan and say the weekend's not long enough,
0:08:57 > 0:09:00and, "Oh, I've got to go back to work on a Monday."
0:09:00 > 0:09:02Come on, then.
0:09:04 > 0:09:08I want to be that moany person that says, "Oh, work again tomorrow."
0:09:08 > 0:09:10Shitting hell.
0:09:10 > 0:09:13Shut up, you're in a library.
0:09:14 > 0:09:20Very important for me to find work, so I feel a sense of belonging.
0:09:20 > 0:09:22Come on.
0:09:22 > 0:09:25Having e-mailed potential employers with no response,
0:09:25 > 0:09:29Ellie has taken to handing out CVs personally.
0:09:31 > 0:09:33Wow.
0:09:33 > 0:09:35I'm just wondering if you've got any jobs available.
0:09:35 > 0:09:38We've got no jobs at the moment but we'll take your CV.
0:09:38 > 0:09:39That's great, thank you.
0:09:39 > 0:09:41If any jobs become available, we put a poster in the window.
0:09:41 > 0:09:44- That's great.- OK then.- Thank you. - Thank you very much.
0:09:44 > 0:09:48It does anger me that employers rule me out because of my Tourette's.
0:09:48 > 0:09:54For example, I went for an interview and I called...
0:09:54 > 0:09:58what would have been my boss a nosy bitch.
0:09:58 > 0:10:03And the 16-year-old girl, who had gone for the same job as me,
0:10:03 > 0:10:05got the job with no experience.
0:10:05 > 0:10:08- Well, we'll take your CV anyway and have a look.- That's great.
0:10:08 > 0:10:10But when you keep getting knocked down and knocked down
0:10:10 > 0:10:13and knocked down, for something that you cannot help...
0:10:13 > 0:10:14SHE TICS
0:10:14 > 0:10:17..that is the worst feeling in the world.
0:10:17 > 0:10:18You're going to crash.
0:10:20 > 0:10:25Well, I suppose getting a training contract anywhere
0:10:25 > 0:10:30would be like a small-town parish curate being told,
0:10:30 > 0:10:33"Pack your bags, you get to go work in Vatican City."
0:10:34 > 0:10:3827-year-old Ben has been looking for a job in the legal profession
0:10:38 > 0:10:40for the last three years.
0:10:42 > 0:10:44Recent weeks' perseverance could have paid off.
0:10:44 > 0:10:50"Dear Ben, I'm delighted to invite you to attend for interview."
0:10:50 > 0:10:53- Wow.- It's a job interview. - Wow. That's brilliant.
0:10:53 > 0:10:57I'm so used to companies saying, "Well, thanks but no thanks,
0:10:57 > 0:10:59"but thanks for taking the time to apply to us."
0:10:59 > 0:11:01Or just not hearing back at all.
0:11:01 > 0:11:05And it's not just, "Please come for an interview."
0:11:05 > 0:11:09It's, "I'm delighted to invite you for interview." That's spectacular.
0:11:09 > 0:11:10Well done, you.
0:11:10 > 0:11:12I'd give you a man hug, but you'd tell me off.
0:11:12 > 0:11:15- No, you stay away from me.- We can hold hands instead.- Don't touch me.
0:11:15 > 0:11:18- But I want to give you a big hug and say "well done".- I know.
0:11:18 > 0:11:21- It's not fair.- You'll have to settle for a high-five.
0:11:21 > 0:11:24- I'll catch you when you're unawares. - No. Don't touch me.
0:11:26 > 0:11:27Oh, it's brilliant.
0:11:27 > 0:11:31It could very well be a life-changing experience.
0:11:31 > 0:11:36It could be like the snowflake that causes the avalanche.
0:11:42 > 0:11:46With a trainee position at a local firm in the offing,
0:11:46 > 0:11:49for Ben, this will be his first proper job interview.
0:11:49 > 0:11:50There you go, sir.
0:11:50 > 0:11:53Thank you, Father. Thanks for ironing my shirt.
0:11:53 > 0:11:55No problem. It's what fathers are for.
0:11:57 > 0:12:00I firmly believe that if I can get into a firm
0:12:00 > 0:12:03and just get that one chance to show what I can do,
0:12:03 > 0:12:06that I'd be able to impress them enough to earn a place there.
0:12:06 > 0:12:13Wallet, keys, phone, bus pass, railcard. That thing.
0:12:13 > 0:12:15Right, I'm good to go, yeah.
0:12:15 > 0:12:18Although Ben's interview is only a short train ride from home,
0:12:18 > 0:12:22unsettling hazards are never far away.
0:12:22 > 0:12:24There's a man smoking in the bus stop,
0:12:24 > 0:12:27right next to a sign that says "no smoking".
0:12:27 > 0:12:28Oh, right.
0:12:28 > 0:12:31People don't care about rules like that.
0:12:31 > 0:12:33I wish they did, but they didn't.
0:12:37 > 0:12:40And he was sitting right next to the sign that said
0:12:40 > 0:12:43- "no smoking in this area". - Yeah.
0:12:43 > 0:12:46And then, when he got up, just threw stuff on the floor.
0:12:46 > 0:12:48Like he didn't even care.
0:12:48 > 0:12:49Probably didn't.
0:12:49 > 0:12:52Well, yeah, I know that, but still.
0:12:52 > 0:12:57Yeah, I know. But don't let that affect you now. All right?
0:12:57 > 0:13:00Take a deep breath. All right. Then move on.
0:13:00 > 0:13:02You've got something really important to do,
0:13:02 > 0:13:06don't worry about some bloke throwing a cigarette on the floor.
0:13:06 > 0:13:08The more I try and puzzle it out, the kind of
0:13:08 > 0:13:12more perturbed and bewildered I get.
0:13:12 > 0:13:14DOORS BEEP
0:13:15 > 0:13:17I'll try not to let you down, Father.
0:13:17 > 0:13:21You won't let me down, I know you won't. Good luck.
0:13:21 > 0:13:25The only thing that can let him down, I think, is if he panics.
0:13:27 > 0:13:31If something unexpected is thrown at him.
0:13:31 > 0:13:33Hiya. Hope you don't mind dogs.
0:13:33 > 0:13:34Hi, how are you?
0:13:34 > 0:13:36Hello. Not so bad, thank you. Yourself?
0:13:36 > 0:13:39- OK.- If you could just quickly sign in here.- Certainly.
0:13:39 > 0:13:43Do you want to come through? She usually follows me everywhere.
0:13:43 > 0:13:45Sorry, excuse me, fella.
0:13:45 > 0:13:47Come on, Skye. Good girl.
0:13:47 > 0:13:50Sit down.
0:13:50 > 0:13:51OK.
0:13:51 > 0:13:56The role that you actually applied for is a paralegal role
0:13:56 > 0:13:58with a view to a training contract.
0:13:58 > 0:14:01Hopefully, by the expression on your face,
0:14:01 > 0:14:05I'm guessing that makes you quite a happy person.
0:14:05 > 0:14:08Yes. Yes, it does. Indeed.
0:14:08 > 0:14:12I'm having trouble vocalising how it makes me feel, to be honest.
0:14:12 > 0:14:17All I've really wanted is a chance to show what I can do.
0:14:17 > 0:14:21And I will give you the blood in my veins and the sweat from my brow.
0:14:21 > 0:14:23I swear it upon the very bones of the earth.
0:14:23 > 0:14:26Oh, bless you.
0:14:26 > 0:14:30What we do is we ask all candidates to complete a personality survey.
0:14:30 > 0:14:34Tick, on each line, one that you are most like
0:14:34 > 0:14:36and one that you are least like.
0:14:36 > 0:14:38I'll see you shortly.
0:14:38 > 0:14:42Interpreting emotions is often one of the hardest things for someone
0:14:42 > 0:14:44with Asperger syndrome to do.
0:14:44 > 0:14:47I struggle with things like this, to be honest.
0:14:47 > 0:14:50It all seems very double meaning.
0:14:50 > 0:14:54If I tick "obedient," does that mean, yes, I'll do what I'm told?
0:14:54 > 0:14:57Or does that mean I'm saying, "I'm a doormat, don't hire me."
0:14:57 > 0:15:01To have this cavalcade of grey areas makes me
0:15:01 > 0:15:06a little bit panicky that I might screw up before I even begin.
0:15:09 > 0:15:12OK. Thank you very much for completing that for me.
0:15:12 > 0:15:15What we're actually interested in is candidates with
0:15:15 > 0:15:19a bit of character, who can work well within the team.
0:15:19 > 0:15:22But I'd like to know, what are your hobbies?
0:15:22 > 0:15:26Why did you go into the law? Those kinds of things.
0:15:26 > 0:15:30Erm, to... To me, law is,
0:15:30 > 0:15:33it's what makes us civilised beings.
0:15:33 > 0:15:39You know, the fact that we have stood up and said,
0:15:39 > 0:15:42"We're not going to act the way that
0:15:42 > 0:15:46"nature seems to have intended us to act."
0:15:46 > 0:15:48That the strong must always take from the weak.
0:15:48 > 0:15:51We will act in this way because we decide to.
0:15:51 > 0:15:54We will not, not "thou shalt not".
0:15:54 > 0:15:56That's quite an interesting answer.
0:15:56 > 0:16:00Time will tell as to whether Watson Legal is going to be
0:16:00 > 0:16:02the place where your career starts.
0:16:02 > 0:16:05- Thank you very much.- All right. - OK.
0:16:05 > 0:16:08I thought that it went OK, I think.
0:16:08 > 0:16:13It seemed to go well. I hope it went well.
0:16:14 > 0:16:19The key concern that I have is, whilst he can communicate
0:16:19 > 0:16:25very, very well, it's just how he would adapt to a team environment.
0:16:25 > 0:16:28So I do want to really consider it over the weekend.
0:16:29 > 0:16:33- Well done. Nice one, eh?- Yeah.
0:16:36 > 0:16:39What would be my dream job?
0:16:39 > 0:16:41Anything at the minute.
0:16:41 > 0:16:43Like, literally anything.
0:16:43 > 0:16:46I don't care if I'm scooping up dog poo on the park.
0:16:46 > 0:16:50Like, anything. Just to get me out of the house.
0:16:54 > 0:16:57Good girl.
0:16:57 > 0:17:0123-year-old Ellie was diagnosed with Tourette's two years ago
0:17:01 > 0:17:05and was forced to leave her job as a community support worker.
0:17:05 > 0:17:07Now she spends her days at home
0:17:07 > 0:17:08with her three dogs...
0:17:08 > 0:17:10Chuck.
0:17:10 > 0:17:12..applying for work, and trying to keep herself busy.
0:17:12 > 0:17:15Van Gogh's got nothing on me.
0:17:16 > 0:17:18On radiator.
0:17:20 > 0:17:22I get motor and vocal tics.
0:17:24 > 0:17:26On your jeans.
0:17:26 > 0:17:29My vocal tics, it feels like a sneeze.
0:17:29 > 0:17:31And you know when a sneeze is coming,
0:17:31 > 0:17:34but sometimes you can't stop a sneeze.
0:17:34 > 0:17:36SHE TICS
0:17:36 > 0:17:41My motor tics, when my arms are moving...
0:17:42 > 0:17:44..it feels like I'm a puppet on a string.
0:17:44 > 0:17:48And somebody's pulling me down, from the bottom of my spine
0:17:48 > 0:17:50so my head's jolting back.
0:17:50 > 0:17:52Paint.
0:17:53 > 0:17:55Paint.
0:17:55 > 0:17:58On face then. On face.
0:17:59 > 0:18:03Trying to suppress them...
0:18:03 > 0:18:06but it's not working.
0:18:06 > 0:18:08Do you think you're going to need to find
0:18:08 > 0:18:10quite an understanding employer?
0:18:10 > 0:18:13Definitely. Especially if I'm a painter and decorator!
0:18:21 > 0:18:23So yours is all right, then?
0:18:23 > 0:18:27It's been two weeks since Ben had his interview for his dream job
0:18:27 > 0:18:29as a trainee solicitor.
0:18:30 > 0:18:32- Who's it addressed to? - Well, it's addressed to me.
0:18:32 > 0:18:34What does it say? Come on. Read it out.
0:18:34 > 0:18:37- It says, "Private and confidential." - Private and confidential.
0:18:37 > 0:18:39I'd like to think it's good
0:18:39 > 0:18:42but I'm not going to kind of make any prediction.
0:18:42 > 0:18:44"Dear Ben.
0:18:44 > 0:18:47"Thank you for attending this firm's office on the 6th of November.
0:18:47 > 0:18:52"I have considered your application in depth and with regret,
0:18:52 > 0:18:54"I wish to inform you that on this occasion
0:18:54 > 0:18:57"I will not be taking your application any further.
0:18:57 > 0:19:02"I'd like to wish you every success in your search for a suitable position."
0:19:02 > 0:19:04Well, shit.
0:19:04 > 0:19:06I don't know what to say.
0:19:07 > 0:19:10I thought I did really well at the interview as well.
0:19:10 > 0:19:13- It all went so well, didn't it? - Yeah.
0:19:13 > 0:19:16Oh, dear. We're back to the drawing board.
0:19:16 > 0:19:18Yeah, I guess.
0:19:19 > 0:19:22I think I'm more devastated than Ben.
0:19:22 > 0:19:28You know, the chances that he's had have been so limited, so few,
0:19:28 > 0:19:31but this one seemed to go really well.
0:19:31 > 0:19:35And whether that tag of Asperger's is going to be
0:19:35 > 0:19:39just hanging around his neck all the time.
0:19:39 > 0:19:43That people just aren't prepared to give him an opportunity.
0:19:46 > 0:19:49You know, a company like this, they've got to make a choice,
0:19:49 > 0:19:53and that's fair enough, but the choice never seems to be Ben.
0:19:56 > 0:19:58And of course, the older he gets and they'll say,
0:19:58 > 0:20:01"Well, you've never worked."
0:20:01 > 0:20:03So that's going against him as well.
0:20:05 > 0:20:07I worry that he'll never work.
0:20:07 > 0:20:10And that's been a worry of mine for quite some time.
0:20:19 > 0:20:21After another disappointing rejection,
0:20:21 > 0:20:24Ben's dad wants him to change his strategy
0:20:24 > 0:20:27and look beyond just applying to law firms.
0:20:27 > 0:20:29"Are you passionate about where you live?
0:20:29 > 0:20:32"We're looking for volunteers to make the streets of Cambridge
0:20:32 > 0:20:35"even cleaner, tidier and more pleasant."
0:20:35 > 0:20:37Tapping into his obsession with rules,
0:20:37 > 0:20:40the job would see Ben patrolling the city centre
0:20:40 > 0:20:42for petty offences.
0:20:42 > 0:20:46"Fly-tipping, litter, waste, abandoned shopping trolleys
0:20:46 > 0:20:50"and abandoned and untaxed and nuisance vehicles."
0:20:50 > 0:20:52- What do you reckon?- Well...
0:20:52 > 0:20:54Wrap up warm. Nice pair of gloves.
0:20:56 > 0:21:00I'm... I'm certainly willing to give it a go,
0:21:00 > 0:21:03but does it not count as giving up?
0:21:03 > 0:21:07It depends what you mean by giving up, giving up on what?
0:21:07 > 0:21:09On working in the legal profession.
0:21:09 > 0:21:11No, course it doesn't.
0:21:11 > 0:21:13Why would it be giving up?
0:21:13 > 0:21:17I don't know. Because I've been applying for all this legal stuff.
0:21:17 > 0:21:21If I was a prospective employer and I was looking at your CV and that,
0:21:21 > 0:21:23and thought, "Well, he's not done anything for a while."
0:21:23 > 0:21:27Then I saw, well, you've done whatever job.
0:21:27 > 0:21:29You know, you've kept yourself busy.
0:21:29 > 0:21:33I suppose the broader I can make my skill and knowledge base,
0:21:33 > 0:21:35- the better. - Well, yeah. Nice one.
0:21:35 > 0:21:37Nice one.
0:21:40 > 0:21:42Until you actually have this condition,
0:21:42 > 0:21:45you don't realise how much it affects you.
0:21:45 > 0:21:48I laugh about it and if I didn't laugh about it,
0:21:48 > 0:21:50I'd just cry and stay indoors.
0:21:50 > 0:21:52SHE TICS
0:21:52 > 0:21:55Hoping to discover more about her condition
0:21:55 > 0:21:57and how to combine it with a career,
0:21:57 > 0:22:01Ellie is meeting a neuropsychologist at Birmingham University.
0:22:01 > 0:22:05Today, I'm looking for some answers to my condition.
0:22:05 > 0:22:07To, like, help me understand it more.
0:22:07 > 0:22:12So I can kind of get a feel of where I will be able to work.
0:22:12 > 0:22:14I'm interested to find out
0:22:14 > 0:22:17whether there any positives to Tourette's syndrome.
0:22:17 > 0:22:20So, yeah, I'm quite excited.
0:22:20 > 0:22:22- Ellie. - Hi, you all right?
0:22:22 > 0:22:23Great to see you.
0:22:23 > 0:22:25Tourette's is not just about tics.
0:22:25 > 0:22:29It's also about how people with tics might think a little bit
0:22:29 > 0:22:32differently and how that can be a strength.
0:22:32 > 0:22:35To find where Ellie's abilities lie,
0:22:35 > 0:22:38Dr Eddy is using a series of cognitive tests.
0:22:38 > 0:22:42Seeing people cry doesn't really upset me.
0:22:42 > 0:22:43Strongly disagree.
0:22:43 > 0:22:46I prefer animals to humans.
0:22:48 > 0:22:50Slightly agree.
0:22:50 > 0:22:51Videos...
0:22:51 > 0:22:56To explore Ellie's perception of the world around her, she has been asked
0:22:56 > 0:23:01to watch a series of moving shapes and describe what she sees.
0:23:02 > 0:23:04Pervert.
0:23:06 > 0:23:12The red triangle's being followed, and the blue triangle is a pervert.
0:23:12 > 0:23:15And what made you think that exactly?
0:23:15 > 0:23:17Because the red triangle keeps stopping and looking back.
0:23:17 > 0:23:22The blue one just stops. Until the other triangle turns around,
0:23:22 > 0:23:25and when it's confronted like that, the blue triangle runs away.
0:23:25 > 0:23:27That's what perverts do.
0:23:27 > 0:23:28When you're watching them,
0:23:28 > 0:23:32something's happening whereby it's making you see an emotion?
0:23:32 > 0:23:33Yeah, it's making me angry.
0:23:33 > 0:23:37We think that maybe people with tics might be a little bit more aware
0:23:37 > 0:23:39about what's going on in their social environment
0:23:39 > 0:23:42or they could be a little bit more emotionally sensitive.
0:23:42 > 0:23:46Would you say that that might be possible in your case?
0:23:46 > 0:23:48Definitely. Definitely, it does.
0:23:48 > 0:23:50- HER KNEE BANGS THE DESK - Ow!
0:23:50 > 0:23:53Do you think that that might interact with your tics at all?
0:23:53 > 0:23:55Emotional things.
0:23:55 > 0:23:57- Yeah.- Yeah?
0:23:57 > 0:24:00Sorry. You're going to have to wait a minute.
0:24:00 > 0:24:03Little tic attack going off right now.
0:24:05 > 0:24:07This, I don't know how to control this.
0:24:07 > 0:24:08Do you want a break for a minute?
0:24:08 > 0:24:11Well, I don't know what my tics want to do,
0:24:11 > 0:24:13so crack on.
0:24:15 > 0:24:19What we're often seeing is that people with Tourette syndrome
0:24:19 > 0:24:23are particularly intuitive and very empathic towards other people.
0:24:23 > 0:24:27And it could be that an employer could really tap in to those skills.
0:24:27 > 0:24:30What kind of work have you been involved in in the past, Ellie?
0:24:30 > 0:24:32I was involved in youth groups.
0:24:32 > 0:24:36But I wouldn't feel comfortable now, working with young people.
0:24:36 > 0:24:38Just for the tics that I say.
0:24:38 > 0:24:42Yeah. It's quite challenging sometimes, I can imagine.
0:24:42 > 0:24:43Yeah.
0:24:43 > 0:24:46But then, I guess, the other thing maybe about having tics is,
0:24:46 > 0:24:51it gives you perhaps some insight into what it's like
0:24:51 > 0:24:53- to be in a difficult position. - Yeah, probably.
0:24:53 > 0:24:58And maybe that in itself is actually quite helpful for relating to other people.
0:25:00 > 0:25:02Ellie, like many people with Tourette's,
0:25:02 > 0:25:05has scored highly in tests measuring empathy.
0:25:05 > 0:25:08Her heightened emotional intelligence means she would be
0:25:08 > 0:25:12particularly suited to professions with a strong caring role.
0:25:12 > 0:25:14Moving forward from today, I just want to get in there
0:25:14 > 0:25:17and find the job where I can use the skills
0:25:17 > 0:25:20that I know that I've got, and where my tics won't matter.
0:25:20 > 0:25:23So, yeah, I'm looking forward to finding that job.
0:25:27 > 0:25:30I suppose the world to me, in some respects,
0:25:30 > 0:25:32looks very black and white.
0:25:32 > 0:25:37Things are binary. You know, they're right or they're wrong.
0:25:39 > 0:25:43It's been a week since Ben sent his CV to Cambridge Council.
0:25:43 > 0:25:47Today, he begins a work placement with the street law enforcement team.
0:25:47 > 0:25:53It's probably a good idea to sort of try as many different fields
0:25:53 > 0:25:57as I can that have even the slightest bearing on law
0:25:57 > 0:26:02and the application of law, and how it all fits together.
0:26:02 > 0:26:04I'm going to go, I'm going to have a jolly good crack at it
0:26:04 > 0:26:08and just see what happens.
0:26:08 > 0:26:10The enforcement team in Cambridge,
0:26:10 > 0:26:14their primary role is deal with what we call environmental crimes.
0:26:14 > 0:26:18So they go out and patrol for things like litter, fly-tipping,
0:26:18 > 0:26:19abandoned vehicles.
0:26:19 > 0:26:22An enforcement officer has a lot of different qualities.
0:26:22 > 0:26:26What we're looking for is someone that can be professional,
0:26:26 > 0:26:28remain calm when they're dealing with
0:26:28 > 0:26:31what can be quite aggressive situations.
0:26:31 > 0:26:34Thank you for joining us today, Ben. These are the enforcement officers.
0:26:34 > 0:26:37Ben's going to be with us, doing a couple of days' work placement.
0:26:37 > 0:26:38OK, Ben.
0:26:38 > 0:26:42So as we're going to be going out on foot patrol later on today
0:26:42 > 0:26:44and dealing with litter offences,
0:26:44 > 0:26:46we're just going to do a little scenario, a little role play here.
0:26:46 > 0:26:50Tom's dressed up as a member of the general public, smoking a cigarette.
0:26:50 > 0:26:52And then at some point, he will walk away.
0:26:52 > 0:26:55As he walks away, he will throw a cigarette end to the floor.
0:26:55 > 0:26:58As soon as he walks away from that, then that's the offence committed.
0:26:58 > 0:27:00- Morning. Can I have a quick word? - What's this about?
0:27:00 > 0:27:02- It's about a littering offence. - I've got to go.
0:27:02 > 0:27:05Yeah, sorry, but you're going to have to listen to me now,
0:27:05 > 0:27:07cos you've committed an offence under the Littering Act.
0:27:07 > 0:27:11Have you got any ID on you today? Have you got your driving licence photo card?
0:27:11 > 0:27:13- My name's Mickey Mouse.- Yeah. I need your proper details, please.
0:27:13 > 0:27:16Bearing in mind, if you give me your details and they are incorrect
0:27:16 > 0:27:18and false, there are ways we can find out.
0:27:18 > 0:27:21- It's only a blooming cigarette. - Yeah. But you're littering.
0:27:21 > 0:27:24'I'm a little afraid at the moment,
0:27:24 > 0:27:27'because this job contains things'
0:27:27 > 0:27:31that if I was able to avoid, I would.
0:27:31 > 0:27:35You know, having to read body language accurately.
0:27:35 > 0:27:37What if we just come to some sort of arrangement?
0:27:37 > 0:27:39Zero tolerance.
0:27:39 > 0:27:41Thank you very much.
0:27:42 > 0:27:46With his crash course in litter law enforcement over,
0:27:46 > 0:27:48it's time to hit the streets.
0:27:48 > 0:27:52I'm not comfortable. Not comfortable at all.
0:27:52 > 0:27:55- INTERVIEWER:- How are you going to cope?- I don't know that I am.
0:27:55 > 0:27:58I'm just going to have to give it a go.
0:28:02 > 0:28:04I mean, if I need to, I can just say,
0:28:04 > 0:28:06"I can't do this, I'm out," right?
0:28:09 > 0:28:11Ben has the power to issue on-the-spot fines
0:28:11 > 0:28:15to anyone seen deliberately littering the streets.
0:28:15 > 0:28:18There, I just saw one. That guy there with the hood.
0:28:18 > 0:28:20- Chucked it down?- Yeah.- Did he?
0:28:20 > 0:28:22Excuse me, sir. Excuse me, can I have a quick word?
0:28:22 > 0:28:25Basically, my colleague and I have just witnessed you
0:28:25 > 0:28:27dropping a cigarette end and walking away from it,
0:28:27 > 0:28:33which I'm afraid is my duty to inform you constitutes an offence of littering under section 87.
0:28:33 > 0:28:34I'll pick it up.
0:28:34 > 0:28:37I'm afraid that Cambridge has a zero tolerance policy to litter.
0:28:37 > 0:28:42- So we are going to have to deal with you by means of a fixed penalty notice.- OK.
0:28:42 > 0:28:47You have 14 days to pay the sum of £75.
0:28:47 > 0:28:49Although if you pay within ten days,
0:28:49 > 0:28:51you'll be eligible for the lesser amount of £50.
0:28:51 > 0:28:53- Never throwing a fag butt again. - HE LAUGHS
0:28:55 > 0:28:57You took everything on board from the role play.
0:28:57 > 0:29:00You mentioned the legislation. You mentioned what the offence was.
0:29:00 > 0:29:02And all in all, I was really pleased with what I saw.
0:29:02 > 0:29:06Ben's ability to retain information has impressed his supervisor,
0:29:06 > 0:29:09but not every offender is so compliant.
0:29:09 > 0:29:11- Oh, that guy. He just threw one over there.- Which one?
0:29:11 > 0:29:15- This fellow, right here.- He did? - Yeah.- Did you witness it?
0:29:15 > 0:29:19- I did, yes.- You did witness it. Are you happy to engage?- Yes.
0:29:19 > 0:29:22Sorry, can I just stop you for a minute, sir?
0:29:22 > 0:29:24Do I have to stop?
0:29:24 > 0:29:26- You do, unfortunately, yeah. - You do, unfortunately.
0:29:26 > 0:29:29Just listen to my colleague. Listen to my colleague.
0:29:29 > 0:29:31- What do you have to say? - Why are you blocking my way?
0:29:31 > 0:29:35- I'm not blocking your way.- You are blocking my way. I'm trying to get past and you're blocking my way.
0:29:35 > 0:29:37Environmental crime officer.
0:29:37 > 0:29:39Crime?
0:29:41 > 0:29:47I just did what I've been, you know, what we've been talking about.
0:29:47 > 0:29:50And then the gentleman's not happy with it,
0:29:50 > 0:29:53and it's kind of...escalated.
0:29:53 > 0:29:57Just listen to my colleague...
0:29:57 > 0:29:59Listen to my colleague first then. Listen to my colleague.
0:30:01 > 0:30:05I just assumed that people would say, "OK, yeah. I did the thing."
0:30:05 > 0:30:09I didn't realise it would draw quite so much of a crowd.
0:30:09 > 0:30:13I'm wishing I was somewhere else right now, to be honest.
0:30:13 > 0:30:16When you have a cigarette, stump it out, empty it in the bin
0:30:16 > 0:30:18and you won't get done. That's all right, buddy. Take it easy.
0:30:18 > 0:30:20All right.
0:30:21 > 0:30:23Well, there you go, Ben.
0:30:23 > 0:30:26No, I don't think that went very well at all.
0:30:26 > 0:30:29I mean, I guess I was expecting people to comport themselves
0:30:29 > 0:30:31with a bit more decorum.
0:30:31 > 0:30:36That is definitely worst end of the scale. Yeah.
0:30:37 > 0:30:40It wouldn't cross my mind to behave like that.
0:30:40 > 0:30:46So it's as much puzzlement as anything else.
0:30:52 > 0:30:54It's been a busier day than I anticipated.
0:30:54 > 0:31:00So I'm looking forward to, I think the right term is "clocking off".
0:31:03 > 0:31:05Hi, Ben.
0:31:05 > 0:31:06Hi.
0:31:06 > 0:31:11Well, basically I just wanted to come and say,
0:31:11 > 0:31:16I don't think this sort of work would be sort of for me.
0:31:16 > 0:31:20I don't think, erm, I'd be able to do it.
0:31:20 > 0:31:26I mean, the unique challenges that what I've been diagnosed with poses,
0:31:26 > 0:31:28is sort of detrimental to this kind of work.
0:31:28 > 0:31:31I just don't think, on the face of it, that it's for me.
0:31:31 > 0:31:32I think you've adapted.
0:31:32 > 0:31:34You know, you've done very well while you've been here.
0:31:34 > 0:31:37- Thank you very much. - But all in all, I think
0:31:37 > 0:31:40from what we started with initially in the morning, to what we got to
0:31:40 > 0:31:43at the end of today, was a good achievement on your part.
0:31:43 > 0:31:46Thanks, Ben. All the best for the future.
0:31:46 > 0:31:49- It's been a pleasure meeting you. - It's been a pleasure working with you.
0:31:49 > 0:31:53We'll probably see you around town anyway, at some point, yeah. Great.
0:31:53 > 0:31:54Just don't litter.
0:31:54 > 0:31:57I have never been a litterbug before but I will be certain,
0:31:57 > 0:32:00doubly certain, not to magically become one overnight.
0:32:00 > 0:32:01Nice one.
0:32:01 > 0:32:04- Brilliant, Ben. - Thank you very much.
0:32:05 > 0:32:08Today's been hard, it really has.
0:32:08 > 0:32:14I do have a great concern where it comes to interacting
0:32:14 > 0:32:18with people, particularly strangers.
0:32:18 > 0:32:21At least no-one can turn round and say that I didn't try.
0:32:25 > 0:32:28Someone should hire me because I have a big personality.
0:32:28 > 0:32:35And if they believed in me, I would go the extra mile for them.
0:32:36 > 0:32:37SHE TICS
0:32:37 > 0:32:39Maybe!
0:32:40 > 0:32:42No, I definitely would.
0:32:45 > 0:32:49Since a neuropsychologist revealed Ellie's empathetic abilities,
0:32:49 > 0:32:53she's decided to focus on jobs that involve caring for animals
0:32:53 > 0:32:58and has enlisted her friend Kat to trawl for opportunities.
0:32:58 > 0:33:01Veterinary nurse assistant, full or part time.
0:33:01 > 0:33:04I'd like to do a job like that, working with animals,
0:33:04 > 0:33:06because they calm me down.
0:33:06 > 0:33:08If you was just dealing with the animal side,
0:33:08 > 0:33:12I think you'd be quite good, but it's just the people side to it.
0:33:13 > 0:33:17Maybe you just need to be like the cleaner-outerer.
0:33:17 > 0:33:19Dog grooming assistant stylist.
0:33:19 > 0:33:22"You'll be hungry to be part of a successful salon
0:33:22 > 0:33:25"and you'll be proactive in your approach."
0:33:25 > 0:33:26I am hungry. I'm hungry now.
0:33:26 > 0:33:28She is great with animals.
0:33:28 > 0:33:32But you know, it's just getting to that point
0:33:32 > 0:33:35where she's going to be accepted.
0:33:37 > 0:33:38- Nosy- BLEEP.
0:33:42 > 0:33:46I'm looking for work at the minute and I was just wondering if I could leave you with a CV.
0:33:46 > 0:33:49'All my life, I wanted to work with vulnerable young people.'
0:33:49 > 0:33:53But when I got diagnosed with Tourette's, it got quite difficult
0:33:53 > 0:33:57because the tics that I was saying and things like that.
0:33:57 > 0:34:03I've got Tourette's. And sometimes that might affect me at work.
0:34:03 > 0:34:06I think working with animals is probably the next best thing.
0:34:06 > 0:34:09Because they're not going to be bothered.
0:34:09 > 0:34:11I'm a ticking twat. Oh, sorry.
0:34:11 > 0:34:13That's fine. No problem at all.
0:34:15 > 0:34:17- No way!- How gorgeous, yeah.
0:34:17 > 0:34:19- Not rabbit stew. - No, definitely not.
0:34:21 > 0:34:24We'll keep your CV on record anyway.
0:34:24 > 0:34:26That would be great. Thank you so much.
0:34:26 > 0:34:28- All right then.- Thank you. - Lovely to meet you.
0:34:28 > 0:34:30You too. Thank you.
0:34:31 > 0:34:34Ellie's also looking online for job opportunities
0:34:34 > 0:34:37that combine her love of animals and her caring ability.
0:34:37 > 0:34:41She's applying for a volunteer scheme at a dog rescue centre,
0:34:41 > 0:34:45where she could be trained up for a career in animal welfare.
0:34:45 > 0:34:51I hate the idea of animals being mistreated.
0:34:51 > 0:34:55So I think I'd be really good at that job and I know I'd work
0:34:55 > 0:35:00really hard, to ensure that they do get the care that they need.
0:35:00 > 0:35:02High-five. Good girl.
0:35:06 > 0:35:14I do feel an intense determination to succeed in getting a job.
0:35:14 > 0:35:17It may take me a year.
0:35:17 > 0:35:19It may take me 100 years.
0:35:19 > 0:35:20But I'm not going to give up.
0:35:20 > 0:35:25I do not yield, I do not relent and I will never, ever surrender.
0:35:28 > 0:35:32Ben has suffered repeated failure in the employment market.
0:35:32 > 0:35:35To help find new strategies to turn his job hunt around,
0:35:35 > 0:35:38he's come to Trinity College in Cambridge
0:35:38 > 0:35:42to meet leading autism expert Professor Simon Baron-Cohen.
0:35:43 > 0:35:47Some employers only see the difficulties when they are
0:35:47 > 0:35:50considering employing someone with a disability.
0:35:50 > 0:35:53- Good day, Professor.- Nice to see you. Call me Simon.- OK, Simon.
0:35:53 > 0:35:55- Is that all right? - Yeah, that's fine.
0:35:55 > 0:35:58'But if they could start thinking about what are the advantages
0:35:58 > 0:36:02'that someone with autism might bring, that would be a real change.'
0:36:02 > 0:36:04- What did you study?- Law.
0:36:04 > 0:36:05Right.
0:36:05 > 0:36:09Now that I've finished my studies, I'm trying to find a job.
0:36:09 > 0:36:11- OK.- So you've been looking for a while, have you?
0:36:11 > 0:36:13About three years.
0:36:13 > 0:36:15That sounds quite challenging.
0:36:15 > 0:36:18Challenging is certainly the word I would choose.
0:36:19 > 0:36:23To understand more about Ben's profile of difficulties
0:36:23 > 0:36:26and strengths, we're going to use a series of tests,
0:36:26 > 0:36:28which are often used to understand people
0:36:28 > 0:36:30with autism spectrum conditions.
0:36:30 > 0:36:35This test, it's a test of recognising other people's emotions.
0:36:35 > 0:36:38Just from the eyes.
0:36:38 > 0:36:41Many people with autism, like Ben,
0:36:41 > 0:36:43struggle to read emotional expressions,
0:36:43 > 0:36:45read people's body language,
0:36:45 > 0:36:48and that could be quite difficult in interviews
0:36:48 > 0:36:51where you're having to interpret another person's behaviour.
0:36:51 > 0:36:56You have to pick which of these four words best describes
0:36:56 > 0:36:59what he might be thinking or feeling.
0:36:59 > 0:37:01I guess I'd go with guilty.
0:37:01 > 0:37:04OK. That's interesting.
0:37:04 > 0:37:07Correct answer on this one is actually concerned.
0:37:07 > 0:37:10That he's a bit concerned about something.
0:37:10 > 0:37:15- I've always had a lot of difficulty with this kind of problem.- Yeah.
0:37:15 > 0:37:20Quite uncomfortable making eye contact, even with a picture.
0:37:20 > 0:37:21- So, right.- Yeah.
0:37:21 > 0:37:26I mean, I've developed a whole slew of techniques to give
0:37:26 > 0:37:28- the appearance of making eye contact.- Yeah.
0:37:28 > 0:37:31But not actually making eye contact.
0:37:31 > 0:37:35I'm very interested in what your kind of tricks or strategies are.
0:37:35 > 0:37:39Focusing on the end of a person's nose is one that can help.
0:37:39 > 0:37:43That can give the appearance of making eye contact, when you're not.
0:37:43 > 0:37:46The tip of the ear is one that can help.
0:37:46 > 0:37:49Six inches above the left shoulder.
0:37:49 > 0:37:51OK.
0:37:51 > 0:37:54So if the rest of society expects you to make eye contact
0:37:54 > 0:37:56and it's uncomfortable for you,
0:37:56 > 0:37:59you've got ways of making it look like you're doing it.
0:37:59 > 0:38:01And that's good, actually.
0:38:01 > 0:38:05So we've done with that test, which was all about faces.
0:38:05 > 0:38:09But this test is a bit different, cos it's all about shapes.
0:38:09 > 0:38:13The task is to look at this shape and see
0:38:13 > 0:38:16- if you can find it in the larger pattern.- OK.
0:38:16 > 0:38:21The embedded figures test asks people to find one part
0:38:21 > 0:38:23within a more complex visual design.
0:38:23 > 0:38:25So it's really looking at how quickly
0:38:25 > 0:38:29can they take information apart to see the components.
0:38:34 > 0:38:37Wow. So I didn't see that coming.
0:38:37 > 0:38:39I was still looking for it, but you'd already found it.
0:38:39 > 0:38:41It's not the same orientation, though.
0:38:41 > 0:38:43- No, it's not the same...- But...
0:38:43 > 0:38:45Yeah, and there's another one.
0:38:45 > 0:38:47- That one is.- That one is.
0:38:47 > 0:38:51So, actually, you saw two versions of it, when I hadn't seen either.
0:38:51 > 0:38:52There's another one here as well.
0:38:52 > 0:38:54Goodness me. Three.
0:38:54 > 0:38:56Another one...
0:38:56 > 0:38:58there.
0:38:58 > 0:39:00- Oh, I see.- Conversely, there would be...
0:39:00 > 0:39:03Use a different pen for the upside down ones.
0:39:03 > 0:39:08- Oh, right.- Conversely there would probably be another one there.
0:39:08 > 0:39:09You're absolutely right.
0:39:09 > 0:39:11There as well.
0:39:11 > 0:39:15Wow. OK, I've lost track but I think that was six.
0:39:15 > 0:39:17Most people would struggle.
0:39:17 > 0:39:20And then there would also be another sideways one here as well.
0:39:20 > 0:39:21It's incredible, isn't it?
0:39:21 > 0:39:24So actually, once you've started doing this task,
0:39:24 > 0:39:25you keep going, don't you?
0:39:25 > 0:39:30And then two more going this way, cos this is a symmetrical shape.
0:39:30 > 0:39:35That is so impressive. Most people struggle to find one of those.
0:39:35 > 0:39:38Even if they're given several minutes to find it.
0:39:39 > 0:39:41You do have a very analytic mind.
0:39:41 > 0:39:45This happens to be a kind of visual, spatial thing.
0:39:45 > 0:39:49But probably even in the law, you need a very analytic mind,
0:39:49 > 0:39:51- would you say? - I think so, yes.
0:39:51 > 0:39:54The law might actually be a very good choice of subject.
0:39:54 > 0:39:59Autism or Asperger syndrome is often a difficulty in making
0:39:59 > 0:40:01sense of other people.
0:40:01 > 0:40:04But, actually, what the law does is it gives you a very clear code
0:40:04 > 0:40:06about what people can and can't do.
0:40:06 > 0:40:10So it's, in some ways, helping to regulate human behaviour.
0:40:10 > 0:40:13I think there may very well be something in that, yeah.
0:40:13 > 0:40:17Ben's ability to analyse a complex set of information
0:40:17 > 0:40:20could be very valuable in all sorts of professions.
0:40:20 > 0:40:23It's a real shame that Ben hasn't had a chance to show these
0:40:23 > 0:40:25skills to an employer.
0:40:25 > 0:40:29You've been sending off a lot of letters and CVs to people.
0:40:29 > 0:40:31I would contact one firm
0:40:31 > 0:40:34and wait to hear back from them before I could contact another.
0:40:34 > 0:40:37Because it always seemed to me
0:40:37 > 0:40:42to be terribly bad manners to just scattershot people.
0:40:42 > 0:40:44Right. What you're describing,
0:40:44 > 0:40:46I've heard quite a lot from people with Asperger's,
0:40:46 > 0:40:48that they like to do one thing at a time.
0:40:48 > 0:40:52Start it and then finish it, in a kind of a complete way,
0:40:52 > 0:40:55before starting the next thing.
0:40:55 > 0:40:59What would be really good for Ben is if he applied for many jobs
0:40:59 > 0:41:03simultaneously, so he's got a greater chance of success.
0:41:03 > 0:41:06And maybe rather than applying for jobs straight off,
0:41:06 > 0:41:08he should be applying for work experience
0:41:08 > 0:41:11so that he can show an employer what he's capable of.
0:41:11 > 0:41:13I suppose what was particularly interesting for me
0:41:13 > 0:41:18was a sort of a new take that I hadn't myself considered,
0:41:18 > 0:41:21on particular aspects of autism
0:41:21 > 0:41:24and how they could be considered strengths.
0:41:24 > 0:41:27When people fill out their job applications,
0:41:27 > 0:41:29they might tick the box saying, "I have a disability."
0:41:29 > 0:41:32And they might think that's a negative thing.
0:41:32 > 0:41:34But actually, if Ben can start thinking about his
0:41:34 > 0:41:39Asperger syndrome in a positive way and thinking about the strengths
0:41:39 > 0:41:43that he has, that could really help them to see what he's got to offer.
0:41:43 > 0:41:47I'd like to believe that there is a job out there for me.
0:41:47 > 0:41:54All I need is just to come across the right person, who'll think,
0:41:54 > 0:41:57"I can afford to give this chap a chance."
0:42:04 > 0:42:07Following his meeting with Professor Simon Baron-Cohen,
0:42:07 > 0:42:10Ben is trying a different strategy.
0:42:10 > 0:42:14He's composed a fresh covering letter to sell his personality,
0:42:14 > 0:42:17and present his Asperger syndrome not as a disability,
0:42:17 > 0:42:20but as a potential strength.
0:42:20 > 0:42:22I can say that in me, you will find a dedicated,
0:42:22 > 0:42:25vigilant and hardworking graduate who burns for an opportunity
0:42:25 > 0:42:28to prove himself in the legal field.
0:42:28 > 0:42:31I'm seeking an opportunity to demonstrate what I can do
0:42:31 > 0:42:33and that people with my condition can hold their heads up high,
0:42:33 > 0:42:36even among the more august professions.
0:42:36 > 0:42:37Very good.
0:42:37 > 0:42:41He's also ditched his policy of sending one application at a time.
0:42:41 > 0:42:4325 letters.
0:42:43 > 0:42:47With a copy of my CV, I'm going to send to 25 different law firms.
0:42:47 > 0:42:49- OK, let's go.- Yeah, right.
0:42:54 > 0:42:57After sending out her CV far and wide,
0:42:57 > 0:43:01Ellie's been invited to a work trial at a dog rescue centre.
0:43:01 > 0:43:07If I tic a lot today, I don't know what they're going to think of it.
0:43:07 > 0:43:11Some of my tics are racist words.
0:43:11 > 0:43:14And I can't control anything that comes out of my mouth.
0:43:14 > 0:43:18Suppressing my tics, which I hope that I can do today,
0:43:18 > 0:43:22it's...not easy to do.
0:43:22 > 0:43:28I really want to prove to myself and the people that I can do this job.
0:43:33 > 0:43:36The person Ellie needs to impress over the next two days
0:43:36 > 0:43:39is centre manager Martina.
0:43:39 > 0:43:41Nigger.
0:43:41 > 0:43:42I'm so sorry.
0:43:42 > 0:43:46If she does well, she could be accepted on to their volunteer training scheme,
0:43:46 > 0:43:50her first step to a career in animal welfare.
0:43:50 > 0:43:52So if you want to take those through and when you're ready,
0:43:52 > 0:43:57come back through to reception and we'll get you with the member of staff that you'll be working with.
0:43:57 > 0:43:59- Thank you.- All right, Ellie. See you in a few minutes.
0:43:59 > 0:44:02We don't allow volunteers to just come and volunteer
0:44:02 > 0:44:05without going through quite a rigorous set of skills checks,
0:44:05 > 0:44:08to ensure that they do meet the standards and ethos,
0:44:08 > 0:44:10as set out by our rescue.
0:44:12 > 0:44:14I can feel tics in my belly
0:44:14 > 0:44:17and I'm trying to like...
0:44:17 > 0:44:19keep them all in.
0:44:19 > 0:44:23Kennel assistant Simone will be showing Ellie the ropes.
0:44:23 > 0:44:26You all right scooping? Yeah?
0:44:26 > 0:44:31Each of the 27 kennels need to be scrubbed down twice a day.
0:44:31 > 0:44:33This mop's shit.
0:44:34 > 0:44:37In this role, you've got to care about the animals
0:44:37 > 0:44:38and look after their needs.
0:44:38 > 0:44:41Put aside the smell and the mingingness
0:44:41 > 0:44:42and just get on with it.
0:44:42 > 0:44:45You really do like mopping, don't you?
0:44:45 > 0:44:47Yeah. I really do.
0:44:50 > 0:44:53Every animal must be walked.
0:44:53 > 0:44:55Let him have a good sniff around.
0:44:55 > 0:44:59And it's a chance for Simone to assess Ellie's dog handling skills.
0:44:59 > 0:45:01So we try and get the dogs out into different places.
0:45:01 > 0:45:04- Nice woods and things like that. - For shagging.
0:45:04 > 0:45:07It's a nice place for walking your dog.
0:45:07 > 0:45:09Using the different senses, different smells.
0:45:09 > 0:45:12- You've got all the squirrels. - Have you ever shagged in the woods?
0:45:12 > 0:45:14- Sorry.- The squirrels and the rabbits and things like that.
0:45:14 > 0:45:16Red sauce or brown?
0:45:16 > 0:45:17As the day wears on,
0:45:17 > 0:45:21Ellie's tics are getting increasingly hard to manage.
0:45:21 > 0:45:24Shave your pubes. Sorry.
0:45:24 > 0:45:30Today I've suppressed more than I ever have since I've been diagnosed.
0:45:33 > 0:45:36It's made me think, can I actually do a job? It really has.
0:45:49 > 0:45:51Following Ben's fresh approach to applications,
0:45:51 > 0:45:53he's had a positive response.
0:45:56 > 0:45:59A solicitor's firm in central London has invited Ben
0:45:59 > 0:46:01for a week's work placement.
0:46:01 > 0:46:08I'm very much so excited to be able to work with such paragons of legal excellence.
0:46:08 > 0:46:12It is an incredible chance and I intend to relish every minute of it.
0:46:12 > 0:46:14Hi, Ben.
0:46:14 > 0:46:17Every year, the law firm offers work placements
0:46:17 > 0:46:19to 15 aspiring students,
0:46:19 > 0:46:21and those who impress are then invited to apply
0:46:21 > 0:46:24for full-time employment within the company.
0:46:24 > 0:46:28As a whole, what we're looking for is not only academic credentials,
0:46:28 > 0:46:30because whilst they're obviously important,
0:46:30 > 0:46:32they're not the sole indicator of how successful
0:46:32 > 0:46:34a person's going to be as a solicitor.
0:46:34 > 0:46:37OK, so these are obviously photocopiers, etc.
0:46:37 > 0:46:41We obviously look for people who've got good client facing skills
0:46:41 > 0:46:44and we want people who are driven.
0:46:45 > 0:46:48Ben will be working under Daniel Godden,
0:46:48 > 0:46:50a partner in their criminal law department.
0:46:50 > 0:46:55He'll be assisting him on a high-profile drug case.
0:46:55 > 0:46:59So our client's name, we'll use a pseudonym for now,
0:46:59 > 0:47:00is going to be Steve Smith.
0:47:00 > 0:47:02He's involved in one particular date,
0:47:02 > 0:47:07and it's alleged on that date that he was arranging to supply
0:47:07 > 0:47:12something in the region of five or six kilos of cocaine.
0:47:12 > 0:47:15So the first thing I'm going to ask you to do this afternoon, Ben,
0:47:15 > 0:47:20is analyse a phone schedule and produce further evidence from it.
0:47:20 > 0:47:22OK.
0:47:28 > 0:47:31Ben is tasked with converting telephone call details
0:47:31 > 0:47:34into tangible evidence to be used in court.
0:47:34 > 0:47:37If it's his intention that he wants to be a lawyer,
0:47:37 > 0:47:40this is the sort of task that you have to be capable of doing.
0:47:40 > 0:47:44You have to be capable of looking at volumes of information,
0:47:44 > 0:47:47ascertaining what's relevant
0:47:47 > 0:47:51and then producing it in a format that can be readily understandable
0:47:51 > 0:47:55by both, in this particular case, me, the supervisor,
0:47:55 > 0:47:57and also the client.
0:47:57 > 0:48:01Some of the exercises we did with Professor Baron-Cohen
0:48:01 > 0:48:05illustrated that I can find patterns relatively well.
0:48:05 > 0:48:09So you know, hopefully that will come in some use here.
0:48:14 > 0:48:19One number will call another and then hang up almost immediately,
0:48:19 > 0:48:24and that number will call the first one back. Something is afoot.
0:48:24 > 0:48:27It's almost like there are patterns beginning to emerge.
0:48:27 > 0:48:30That number has come up again, so I'm going to go through them
0:48:30 > 0:48:32more thoroughly and see
0:48:32 > 0:48:36if I can find that last four digits linked to a name.
0:48:38 > 0:48:42At the end of the day, Ben has processed all of the data
0:48:42 > 0:48:44and has some results to show Daniel.
0:48:44 > 0:48:50There was 29 different activities
0:48:50 > 0:48:53on a lot of very short phone calls,
0:48:53 > 0:48:56both made and received.
0:48:56 > 0:48:58Yeah. Cool.
0:48:58 > 0:49:01The calls were being made from different locations,
0:49:01 > 0:49:05faster than an individual would be able to travel to those on foot.
0:49:05 > 0:49:08Which suggests to me that he could be driving about.
0:49:08 > 0:49:10It is quite a complicated process and it seems to me
0:49:10 > 0:49:13that you've taken to it very well.
0:49:13 > 0:49:14You made excellent progress.
0:49:14 > 0:49:17You obviously weren't even here that long and you've managed to do
0:49:17 > 0:49:20obviously an entire person's phone data for that day.
0:49:22 > 0:49:27To be here, in a place where I can use what's in my head, you know,
0:49:27 > 0:49:29is...
0:49:31 > 0:49:34It's indescribable.
0:49:41 > 0:49:43At the dog rescue centre,
0:49:43 > 0:49:46the pressure of working for the first time in two years
0:49:46 > 0:49:49is making Ellie's tics worse than ever.
0:49:51 > 0:49:54But hiding is not an option.
0:49:54 > 0:49:58A vital part of the role is matching dogs with the right new owners.
0:49:58 > 0:50:02If Ellie wants to succeed, she'll have to host one of these meetings.
0:50:02 > 0:50:06What's going to happen is, you're going to bring the dog up that they want to meet.
0:50:06 > 0:50:10Go through kind of the age, breed, what pets they already have
0:50:10 > 0:50:13in the home, how long they're out of the house for.
0:50:13 > 0:50:16That's kind of the main questions, just to start off with.
0:50:17 > 0:50:21It's the first time Ellie has had to work with the public
0:50:21 > 0:50:22in over two years,
0:50:22 > 0:50:26and with so much at stake, it's a terrifying prospect.
0:50:31 > 0:50:34I'm happy just being around the dogs.
0:50:36 > 0:50:38I don't want to meet people.
0:50:40 > 0:50:43Cos I know that this would be a brilliant job.
0:50:46 > 0:50:48But I feel like I can't even...
0:50:50 > 0:50:53..talk to a fucking person.
0:50:58 > 0:51:01I need to go and sort my face out.
0:51:03 > 0:51:04Before going ahead,
0:51:04 > 0:51:07Ellie wants to know exactly who she'll be dealing with.
0:51:07 > 0:51:09- INTERVIEWER:- How's he look?
0:51:10 > 0:51:13Grey as fuck.
0:51:13 > 0:51:15Are you feeling all right?
0:51:15 > 0:51:18I just want to go and get it over and done with.
0:51:19 > 0:51:21Come on.
0:51:23 > 0:51:27Hi, are you all right? This is Nova.
0:51:27 > 0:51:30I'm sure you've been waiting for this for a long time.
0:51:30 > 0:51:32She is eight weeks old now.
0:51:32 > 0:51:36She's up to date with all her flea treatment and worming.
0:51:36 > 0:51:38Have you got any other pets at home?
0:51:38 > 0:51:40We have, yes. I've got two Labradors.
0:51:40 > 0:51:43- She may be a little bit bigger than a Lab.- Yes!
0:51:43 > 0:51:45And she's big.
0:51:45 > 0:51:47Have you got any children?
0:51:47 > 0:51:50- Yes.- How many children do you have?
0:51:50 > 0:51:52- One little girl living at home.- Aww!
0:51:52 > 0:51:55Is there any questions that you've got for us?
0:51:55 > 0:51:57Not that I can think of, no.
0:51:57 > 0:52:00Obviously if there is anything when you get home, just give us a call.
0:52:00 > 0:52:03And I'm sure we'll be in contact very, very soon.
0:52:03 > 0:52:04Fantastic.
0:52:06 > 0:52:08I'm very relieved I've just done that.
0:52:08 > 0:52:09You didn't tic.
0:52:10 > 0:52:14Yeah, I know. I think it's cos I was concentrating on the dog.
0:52:14 > 0:52:16It was like you'd done it before.
0:52:16 > 0:52:19- Really?- Yeah. You come across really confident. I'm serious.
0:52:19 > 0:52:22Like, I'm really impressed.
0:52:22 > 0:52:23Wow.
0:52:26 > 0:52:29With the final task on her placement completed...
0:52:29 > 0:52:30- KNOCK AT DOOR - Come in.
0:52:30 > 0:52:34..it's time for Ellie to see if she's done enough to earn a position on the team.
0:52:36 > 0:52:38So, how do you think you've got on?
0:52:38 > 0:52:40I've really enjoyed it.
0:52:40 > 0:52:44Your willingness to get stuck in with the harder labour tasks,
0:52:44 > 0:52:49the cleaning - pooey puppies are not a pleasant experience at the best of times.
0:52:49 > 0:52:52You're either wanting to do it or you're not
0:52:52 > 0:52:54- and you've shown true dedication... - Dog shit.
0:52:54 > 0:52:56..and wanting to get that done.
0:52:56 > 0:52:59You've got more of an ability than you give yourself credit for.
0:52:59 > 0:53:02You have that genuine empathy, that genuine want,
0:53:02 > 0:53:05desire and drive to do well by the dogs.
0:53:05 > 0:53:07We are very keen to get you on board.
0:53:07 > 0:53:10We would like to invite you to join our volunteering programme.
0:53:10 > 0:53:12How does that sound to you, Ellie?
0:53:12 > 0:53:13Really good. Really good.
0:53:13 > 0:53:16- Yeah? Excited to come on board? - Yeah.
0:53:16 > 0:53:18For the first time in over two years,
0:53:18 > 0:53:22Ellie's been given the chance to work again.
0:53:22 > 0:53:25It is pleasing to know that I've made a good impression.
0:53:25 > 0:53:27To feel accepted.
0:53:27 > 0:53:30So see you later. Yeah? Oh, thank you.
0:53:30 > 0:53:32Mwah, mwah, mwah!
0:53:32 > 0:53:36Being offered part-time volunteer work is really good,
0:53:36 > 0:53:39because I can build up my strength and my stamina,
0:53:39 > 0:53:45and figure out how I can combine both a job and Tourette's together.
0:53:45 > 0:53:47This has been a great first step on the road
0:53:47 > 0:53:50to where I eventually want to be.
0:54:01 > 0:54:04As a result of impressing his boss,
0:54:04 > 0:54:08Ben's been invited to meet the senior partners of the firm.
0:54:08 > 0:54:11What skills do I personally think that you would
0:54:11 > 0:54:14look for in one of your trainees?
0:54:16 > 0:54:18I'm just going to have to try
0:54:18 > 0:54:24and put all the anxiety to the back of my head.
0:54:24 > 0:54:27If he presents well, he could be invited to apply
0:54:27 > 0:54:31for a training contract at the next company intake.
0:54:31 > 0:54:35This is all or nothing. Everything is at stake.
0:54:35 > 0:54:38You know, my future, my credibility.
0:54:38 > 0:54:40What makes a good lawyer in your view,
0:54:40 > 0:54:42and do you think you've got those skills?
0:54:42 > 0:54:46In general terms, there's of course, you know, analytical skills,
0:54:46 > 0:54:53the ability to, erm, sift through large volumes of information
0:54:53 > 0:54:56and pick out the salient facts, in relatively short order.
0:54:56 > 0:55:00What specifically do you think that you can offer Hodge, Jones & Allen,
0:55:00 > 0:55:04which would make us want to employ you in the future?
0:55:04 > 0:55:08The thing that I will be able to offer is dedication.
0:55:08 > 0:55:12You know, also I have a determination to see justice prevail.
0:55:12 > 0:55:15If you were to be a criminal lawyer, you'd be representing people
0:55:15 > 0:55:17who'd been accused of some of the most terrible acts,
0:55:17 > 0:55:19and some of them will have done those acts.
0:55:19 > 0:55:21How do you feel about that
0:55:21 > 0:55:24and how do you feel about devoting your working time,
0:55:24 > 0:55:27your working life, to representing and helping those people?
0:55:27 > 0:55:30When you step into the persona of a criminal lawyer,
0:55:30 > 0:55:33what you think about the rights and wrongs,
0:55:33 > 0:55:35and the wither-tos and the why-fors,
0:55:35 > 0:55:37you hang on the door with your hat.
0:55:37 > 0:55:40- Thank you.- If you choose to wear hats, that is.
0:55:40 > 0:55:43Is there anything you'd like to ask us?
0:55:43 > 0:55:46I don't believe so, at this point.
0:55:46 > 0:55:49I have very much enjoyed every second of my time here.
0:55:49 > 0:55:53It is an experience that I will not forget until my dying day.
0:55:53 > 0:55:56'I thought that he gave an incredible interview.
0:55:56 > 0:56:00'The first thing was being struck by his amazing passion.'
0:56:00 > 0:56:03I felt quite moved by how committed he was to the job,
0:56:03 > 0:56:04how much he wanted the job,
0:56:04 > 0:56:08how hard he would be prepared to work to have that job.
0:56:08 > 0:56:12I have a great passion for the law, for justice
0:56:12 > 0:56:16and for the ideals that this firm represents.
0:56:16 > 0:56:18I'm also a very committed individual.
0:56:18 > 0:56:21I'm committed to whatever I set my mind to.
0:56:21 > 0:56:24He could speak very eloquently, very calmly.
0:56:24 > 0:56:27I think he'd make a good advocate, actually.
0:56:27 > 0:56:29I think I could see him standing up in court
0:56:29 > 0:56:31and representing his clients really well.
0:56:31 > 0:56:34Our application site is open at Christmas for applications
0:56:34 > 0:56:36for training contracts.
0:56:36 > 0:56:38We hope we'll be hearing from you.
0:56:38 > 0:56:40I can assure you, you will.
0:56:42 > 0:56:48I've just been and sat in a room with three august partners
0:56:48 > 0:56:53of an excellent law firm and they had nice things to say about me.
0:56:53 > 0:56:55So that's a good thing.
0:56:55 > 0:57:00I think it's important that the law has a diverse range of people
0:57:00 > 0:57:04practising law, because obviously the society who we represent
0:57:04 > 0:57:06contains a diverse range of people.
0:57:06 > 0:57:09And that's obviously hugely important,
0:57:09 > 0:57:12that people like Ben are given the opportunity to practise law.
0:57:16 > 0:57:20If you hit an obstacle, if you can't, like, clear it in one jump,
0:57:20 > 0:57:24then you walk back a couple of steps, break into a run
0:57:24 > 0:57:27and try and jump over it again.
0:57:27 > 0:57:31I'm speaking metaphorically, of course. I'm not a very good jumper.
0:57:33 > 0:57:35- Hi, mate. - All right, Father?
0:57:35 > 0:57:39- How'd it go?- I don't think it could have gone better, actually.
0:57:39 > 0:57:43- No?- No. Because they said they would welcome an application from me.
0:57:43 > 0:57:45- Oh, wow. - The window opens in January.
0:57:45 > 0:57:48That's brilliant, absolutely brilliant. Well done.
0:57:48 > 0:57:50Yeah. So, January 1st, I've got to make an application.
0:57:50 > 0:57:52Well done, you.
0:57:52 > 0:57:53Come on then.
0:57:53 > 0:57:57I really don't want to jinx anything but I've got a sneaky hope
0:57:57 > 0:58:01that this might possibly be the start of something wonderful.
0:58:01 > 0:58:03I hope so. I think you deserve it.
0:58:03 > 0:58:05I think you've done really, really well.