Engaging with a Service Provider

Engagement - what is it? It is when a person who uses a service chooses at some level to work or not to work in an effective partnership with a person or organisation who provides him or her a service. In the context of a person on the Autistic Spectrum - this may be a disability support organisation - such as a specialist job search agency, a psychologist, or a direct support and lifestyle support agency. It can be a little intimidating approaching a service agency when you don't feel that you have been treated fairly. Usually its ok to compliment a service provider on a job well done, but if you are feeling that things haven't really gone too flash, then you may need to equip yourself with some helpful tools.
Firstly, I would recommend scouring on the internet, or the old phone book for an advocacy service. Or, get a trusted friend or relative who communicates competently, and really listens and understands, and knows you well.
Together you can approach the situation constructively. Firstly - take some time to really think about the outcomes that you want from approaching your service provider. Start from where you have been wronged, and work out options that you may like to ponder - that you can present to the service provider as options for them to be able to work with you to correct or make amends in your service provision.
So make sure you take the time to thoroughly think about this - impulsivity is not recommended when going to approach a service provider.
You will need to schedule a time with the management person, or complaints department - if you wish to approach them personally. In a situation where I was not happy with the decision made by my service provider, I wrote a letter to the complaints department. I showed it to my spouse, and he took the time to go through it with me.
Be polite always!! Don't attack persons, separate the who of the person, from what has been done. Personal attacks will always make the other person unwilling to listen to you.
By making an appointment time to go and see the person, or by sending a letter, you are ensuring for yourself that the person will have the time to properly consider your position. If you call during a really busy time - for example when the pay department and admin department are trying to finish processing time cards, or the manager is with another person, you will only be given the option of "we will have to call you back later." Often I have found that the person is so snowed under that they never have the opportunity of calling you back anytime soon. So, I would either call, or if you feel unable to speak to the person, send an email requesting an appointment time, and suggest the times that you are available. Build some flexibility into your appointment time request.
When you do have your appointment, I do recommend taking an advocate so that you can remain calm while your advocate speaks on your behalf. I have done this in situations where I have been extremely stressed out and my husband has come along and he knows what I want to communicate, and has been able to remain calm and explain to the service provider what I wanted as an outcome.
At all times be polite, even if it is extremely difficult. Don't ever use personal attacks. The service provider has to remain calm and objective, and if all parties can leave emotions out of it, while working on outcomes, then a successful compromise is easier to obtain.
Allow the service provider to consider your complaint, and your goals for the meeting. More than likely you will be able to come to an agreed outcome when you are both working towards a common goal where the outcome is that you get the best possible service from the service agency.