My son is autistic (with pretty limited social skills), but academic enough to be doing 5 GCSEs and expecting decent grades in the STEM ones (5s not 9s!). We're making decisions now about post 16 choices, but I really feel in the dark about what might lie ahead beyond 18. It's possible he could do a degree although I think it's a stretch. I just don't know what kind of jobs will be open to him and I want to give him the best chance of independence. I worry that loading him up with academic qualifications will set him up for jobs that he can't do because of his lack of social skills, and maybe he would be better off doing something more vocational now. His main passion is politics but unfortunately he really doesn't cope well with extended writing so it's not an option for him to study this any further. I'd love to hear from anyone with an ASD child who has found work in a STEM type of area, with something like BTECs or possibly a degree. Or just any advice on what really worked for other kids in getting jobs/maximising independence. A big question I know!