jobs

[sturdypeasantstock]

My DS is now 18 and still job hunting. He has both social (tends to go on and on about favorite subjects) and academic (trouble spelling, calculating, etc.) issues. Thankfully he is going to community college in the fall. He spends a lot of time alone or hanging out with me. His favorite activity is watching TV, even on a beautiful sunny day. In many respects, he is more like a five year old than a young man his age. Fortunately, he does have a small circle of friends - both NT and on the spectrum. They are considerably more advanced than he is - they have jobs, girlfriends, other friends, etc. and he is gradually losing touch with them b/c they are busy. My husband, after all these years, is still in denial and thinks there is "nothing wrong" with my son. If you suggest doing something other than watching TV to my son- volunteer work, bowling, etc, he gets angry.

He was hired as a junior counselor three summers ago. He loved it. It was a good way for him to work with kids he already knew and make new friends. But he was not hired back, they wouldn't give a reason other than other candidates were more qualified. He was heartbroken. He was placed on a "waiting list" again this year. He has applied everywhere locally, fast food places, etc. and hasn't been able to find anything. I told him he should try to find work as a babysitter and my DH got angry at me for suggesting that.

Do any of your teens/young adults have jobs? What do they do? Did they disclose their disability? My son's is quite obvious.

thanks

 

[bookwormde]

The "trick" with our kids is to guide one or more of there special areas of interest into and employable area. There are more and more employers out there that are begining to appriciate the amazing gifts that our kids have and the value it can add to an enterprise. Many areas have organizations that help make matches and have coaches. check with your local Austism society and see what is available. Pretending our kids are not different and sending them into an unsupportive work envioroment is just setting them up for failure.

bookwormde

 

[sturdypeasantstock]

we will - thanks for your help

 

[Shreggor]

I am a 33 year old adult autistic (with mild social and severe sensory issues) and I have had a job working in an office since I graduated.

Because of the sensory issues I have, I have to wear earplugs because otherwise, certain noises really bother me (I mean make me want to scream and cry). I figured out that I can still do my job and wear the earplugs. After being hired, I was in one area for a while where I will admit, every day was a struggle because of the overwhelming amount of noise. Also, I really do not make friends with my coworkers very easily.

After I moved to the department I am in now, I was open to my direct supervisor about it and I'm glad because she was very understanding and actually moved me to a quieter area of the floor so I could have more isolation and not be surrounded by coworkers making noise on all sides. It really helped.

Some coworkers have asked me about my earplugs, or why I have a private cubicle when everyone else is in groups of 4 people. I tell them the truth and I've found that most of them are very nice about it. Some were surprised and one told me she didn't think autistic people looked or sounded like me. I'm not sure what she meant by that. I guess because my speech is normal. I don't mind talking about it. I think it's good, in general, to just tell the truth about things that might make you seem different so people don't jump to conclusions.

 

[kirstenb1]

Does he like gaming? What about something like Gamestop? A million years ago, when I was in college, dh loved to go to Radio Shack. Thinking back, I think some of the employees were "spectrumish". I'm just trying to think of things that maybe will play to his strengths.

 

[ORMom2Four]

DS16 has started looking for a job. (well, Dh and I are making him look) This is what we found on his Jack in the Box application

http://i261.photobucket.com/albums/ii68/ormom2four/ef99aec9.jpg

and this is where he decided the grammar in their application didn't make sense and he needed to correct them.....

http://i261.photobucket.com/albums/ii68/ormom2four/6c6cfbf8.jpg

Your DS sounds a lot like mine. Mine will spend his entire day in front of the computer if I don't make him do something else. My DS also never goes out and has no interest in a girlfriend.

For my DS, the "feeling" of a place is really important. Is there anyplace your DS likes to spend time for fun (pizza place/arcade/???) or to shop? That might be a good start. It's hard when they get angry. You just know they will blow the interview or the job if you get that far. We'll get through it