Working and having a child with asd

[runikka]

Good morning

I think I have asked this question before but wondered how many of you with children on the autistic spectrum manage to work.

I work doing accounts, part time from home and part time from the office so effectively full time. Daniel is moderate on the autistic spectrum and at the moment we are early doing the earlybird course and planning to move house in November.

My concern is mainly over the house as it relies on me working full time (plus overtime) to keep us afloat. It is a big step up and would hopefully be our home til our retirement. We are planning to move now before Daniel starts any real schooling (coming up to three). However, today, I am at home with both children and Daniel has been particularly hard work this morning (refusing and throwing breakfast, screaming). I sometimes wonder whether I should be cutting back on my workload and concentrating more on him.

He attends nursery three times a week and has the first team there so we feel that is a positive influence. However, we have had no real guidance ( until now from the earlybird course) as to how to help Daniel along at home. I am stressing because I just dont know what help Daniel will need in the future and dont want to overcommit myself to things outside the family.

Do you work and how does it affect your family?

Regards
Kirsty

Hi Runikka
My ds2 has just started school & I am pleased that I managed to keep working as it's starting to get a little easier to juggle everything & I still have a secure job & pension etc.

I was always the main earner, reduced my hrs after ds1 was born & then took extended maternity leave & reduced them further after ds2's birth.

Although I have managed to keep with the same company etc I have had to take a demotion as my previous job meant my hours varied & sometimes needed to spend the odd night away - just not possible with ds2.
I also have to be firm about the hours I am able to work as ds2 struggles so much if we vary the routine too much.
I think its also helped to keep my sanity at times.
I hope it works out for you.

I temped from when son1 was 9 months and then retrained as a teacher when he was a year. I worked full time until I was preganant with son 2 when son1 was five. Then I have worked mainly part time but teaching is as full on as you want it to be and I do have a lot of prep and marking to do. I found it OK when son 1 was at nursery because they just coped. The problems came when he started infants and frankly they had never had a child like him before and it was a learning curve for us all. Reception was hell. It was all a bit knackering but we have managed and I also think it gives you something else to focus on as ASD can be a bit all consuming. He's 12 now and is pretty self-sufficient and absolutely lovely. My house, however, does look like the pit of the universe - my excuse is that it builds resistance to disease

I do manage to do some work from home for a Print Finishing firm but they understand that I can only do it in term-time. I've tried doing it with ds in the house but it really is impossible. It's not regular money but at least I don't have to spend my wages on childcare or worry how I'm going to manage hospital appointments etc which would be a problem if I did 'set' hours somewhere.

Oh yes have to agree with flyingmum, something has to give & its the housework here too.
I pretend to be neat & organised but never let visitors venture upstairs

I was a childminder until 3 weeks ago. Although i was working from home whilst DS was at school (DS is 7) i found not being able to drop things to be there for him very difficult. I had alot of problems at school with DS and found it almost impossible to commit to him and my childminding. That and along with appointments with peadiatricians and other agencies childminding became a nightmare! Now im home without the pressure of working and i feel less stressed and am able to commit to DS more.

I've just started a full time funded PhD. It was either that or look for a part time job. The PhD works well for me as it's flexible and I'm kind of in charge so I can do lots from home in the evening. My main problem with combingin work and ds1 is working round the school bus (pick up at 8.40, drop back at 3.40- no after school care available).

I work on a voluntary basis in the SEN education sector. dh has been very supportive so if a meeting has to be arranged at school run time he has looked after the children - he worked locally.

Right now is all change as he is on notice of redundancy. I have seen a full time job I would love, SN but adult services, and dh is looking to set up his own business and offer consultancy. If I don't get the position I will probably become a self employed independent trainer. We will have to juggle around the children as child care is not available for my son either (although I would have no problem arranging it for my daughter- inclusion hey!)

Message withdrawn

I work 30 hours per week, but it is extremely flexible.I generally do 9.30-3pm 5 days a week, with occasional late nights/saturdays when dh is around to cover me. DD is 5,has ASD and is in a SN school. Her brother is in mainstream, so I have 2 different school runs am and pm. I use the after school club for ds, and his school runs a holiday club that they both go to in the school hols. I cover inset days with DH and help from their old playgroup leader. It is a constant juggle but needs must!