Barbara Bissonnette

Barbara Bissonnette is a certified coach and the Principal of Forward Motion Coaching. She provides career development and job coaching and workplace advocacy for individuals with Asperger’s Syndrome (and similar autism spectrum profiles) and Nonverbal Learning Disorder. She also offers consultation and training for organizations on how to utilize the skills of employees with Asperger’s Syndrome and other social, communication and executive function challenges.

Barbara is the author of the The Complete Guide to Getting a Job for People with Asperger’s Syndrome, a 2012 ForeWord Reviews Book of the Year Gold Medal winner. The Asperger’s Syndrome Workplace Survival Guide: A Neurotypical’s Secrets for Success was released in 2013. She publishes the monthly Asperger’s & NLD Career Letter, with tips on how to find a job and maintain employment. The newsletter is free of charge.

Prior to coaching Barbara spent more than 20 years in business, most recently as Vice President of Marketing and Sales for an information services firm. In addition to first-hand experience hiring and managing people at all levels, she understands the challenges of Asperger’s and NLD and focuses on practical strategies for employment success.

Barbara earned a graduate certificate in Executive Coaching from the Massachusetts School Professional Psychology and is certified by Institute for Professional Excellence in Coaching.

She has spoken about Asperger’s Syndrome, employment and job coaching at Antioch University, Asperger’s Association of New England (AANE), Bentley College, Boston University, Career Counselor’s Consortium Northeast, Central Massachusetts Employer’s Association, College Internship Program, Colleges of the Worcester Consortium, Community Resources for People with Autism, Community Workforce Coalition, Eastern Association of Colleges and Employers, Emerson Hospital, Harvard Medical School/Cambridge Health Alliance Autism Spectrum Disorders Conference, Job Developer’s Network, Katherine Greer Associates, Maple Leaf Center, Massachusetts School of Professional Psychology, Massachusetts Vocational Rehabilitation Commission, National Career Development Association, New England Human Resources Association, New York Society of Human Resource Management, Rhode Island Psychological Association, Shriver Job Corp, Wayside Youth and Family Support Services, and The Wellness Corporation.

Her articles have been published in AANE Journal, Autism-Asperger’s Digest Magazine, Autism Family Online, Autism Spectrum News, Career Developments magazine, Insights, Job Training & Placement Report, and the Journal of Employee Assistance.