Employable Me

Up until six years ago, 52-year-old Paul was a normal dad doing a nine-to-five. Now Paul has the most severe case of Tourette's syndrome you will probably ever see. Against all the odds, and with the help of leading scientists, Paul uncovers extraordinary talents that could allow him to provide for his family once again. But to have the chance of success, he has to put himself in very uncomfortable - and sometimes dangerous - positions. 34-year-old Brett has autism and has been rejected from every job he has applied for over the past eight years. After visiting Professor Simon Baron-Cohen, a world-renowned expert on autism, Brett's true hidden genius is revealed. And when Brett finally gets the chance to showcase his autistic gifts to a potential employer, something truly remarkable unfolds.

Tom has Tourette's syndrome and Ashley has autism. Both are desperate to find work and have super strengths that would really benefit employers. But they have to prove it.

Tom is 27 and has an extreme form of Tourette's syndrome. Not only does he have uncontrollable motor tics, but he also screeches, squeaks and meows like a cat. The pressures of the condition meant he struggled through school and dropped out of university. Due to the severity of his tics, he has found it impossible to find a career he can succeed in. But Tom is highly gifted and it isn't until he meets an occupational psychologist that he realises just how much of his potential has been wasted, as he embarks on a journey to find a career that he can finally excel in.

29-year-old Ashley has a form of autism called Asperger's syndrome. Despite being highly intelligent, he's never had a job. Although he is highly creative, Ashley has a tendency to obsess, which makes everyday tasks a real challenge. One of his biggest obsessions is the Victorian era - he even dresses like a Victorian gentleman, complete with top hat and pocket watch. When he meets the autism expert Professor Simon Baron-Cohen, he discovers that some obsessions can be valuable if treated as an area of expertise. If Ashley can find a job that taps into his creative mind and obsession with Victoriana, it could mean that he finally turns his job hunt around. But after a lifetime of not working, it's bound to be a shock to the system.

Twenty three year-old Ellie led a perfectly normal life until two years ago when, out of the blue, she started yelling 'marshmallow' in a supermarket. At 21, Ellie developed full-blown Tourette's and was forced to leave her job as a youth worker because she can't control the (often highly offensive) words that come out of her mouth.

She's spent the last two years trying to piece her life back together and is now desperate to find a job where she will be accepted. Thanks to a visit to a neuropsychologist, she discovers that her condition is linked to superior strengths in areas such as empathy and a whole new career avenue is opened up to her.

Twenty seven year-old Ben (pictured) has a form of autism called Asperger Syndrome and finds the world an extremely challenging place. To reduce anxiety, Ben lives his life by strict rules. Ben is so dedicated to regulation that he has devoted his adult life to studying law and has two degrees under his belt. Despite his credentials, no law firm has ever given him an interview in the three years since he graduated, let alone a job.

His dad is convinced employers see Asperger Syndrome on his CV and dismiss him outright. But when Ben meets autism expert Professor Simon Baron Cohen, he realizes that Asperger Syndrome shouldn't just be seen as a disability - and the professor helps him change his strategy so that employers can finally see how gifted he is.