Suitable (or not) jobs

[MiladyDeSummer]

Was talking to my hairdresser earlier, his wife works for Connexions helping young people with ASD / AS.

I got to thinking about how DS would make an absolutely ace supermarket shelf-stacker. I mean, he'd be so meticulous that he'd win prizes for his creations if such things existed.

However he'd have to work during non-shopping hours or WOE BETIDE any poor customer wanting to take a can of beans from his display

The other lad he mentioned was a boy who had some work-experience helping out at a petting zoo. DS would love that so much. And I was very heartened and wanted to share that there seems to be a fair amount of support for young people in today's awful job market.

Obviously jobs aren't ever going to be an option for many of our children and I don't even know how it will pan out in that respect with DS. Could be he will never gain any independence, he's too young for me to be able to say.

Just wondered if you had any thoughts or experience

I work in careers and would hope that you will be offered lots of help around transitions (unless g'ment cuts get rid of careers/connexions services completely!).

There are employers who are excellent at taking on young people with SN for work exp and also organisations to help and support with finding appropriate work.

Ds2 has said he would like to drive Metros (NE tube system), but I secretly suspect he just wants to press the buttons to open and close the doors.

I'd like to think he would be able to get some sort of job to give him a little bit of independance and I suppose it would have to be something that would hold his interest long enough. He is only 5 though, so plenty of time to think about that.

Sometimes it does worry me about his future, but I try not to dwell on it too long otherwise I get upset by it.

When I worked for a large bank I can remember a schem they had for disabled adults and there was a couple of people with ASD that worked there. They were some of the best workers there.

LOL at doors and buttons but I can also see that the logical 2D maps would appeal. My DS has had more enjoyment from the map of Chessington than the day itself

mintyfresh that is really good to know, thanks