Over 18. What happens next?

[Batteryhuman]

My DS1 is 18 and ASD. He is at Further Ed College doing an entry level 3 course in art which was sold on the basis that there would be work experience and suggestions for what a kid who is good at drawing but not much else could do next. The work experience has translated to a bit of helping in the college library once a week and the only suggestions for employment was working in an art shop. He's autistic FFS!

So where do we go after July. I would love him to continue with his art but don't want him sitting at home (he has no social life at all, his choice). Emploability could proably fix him up with shelf stacking or washing up but is that it?

Any suggestions? We are in Surrey.

have you thought about approaching local business, ie local shops, garden centres, local library, rspca/rescue centre to see if he could do some voluntary work for, say, two or three hours on a Saturday to see how he copes with a possibility of getting along those lines?

is he good at art? what about as a hobby/little money earner selling his artwork, i am sure if you askedfriends and family would buy little items to start off to boost his confidence and spread the word and then he could progress from there.

have you tried speaking to your local council to see if they have any apprenticeships or anywhere they could refer you to?

have you tried Connexions?
Was he at a special school before? It doesn't sound like the college are really catering for him, does he have a statement?
I have no specialist knowledge but DP works in a special school, some students attend till 19 and there is a lot of guidance and support for moving on. Not in Surrey, unfortunately. I know that Scope run FE colleges that cater for a wide variety of special needs.

Some FE Coleges also run HE courses and also the Foundation Certificate in Art and Design which is a pre-requisite if he ever fels like taking an Art degre.

You might find one near you that has an HE Art course or one of those new Foundation 2 year degree courses that can be converted to a full degree with a further one year at a Uni eventually.

If he does try an HE course he will be entitled to Disbaled Students Allowance which woudl pay for any additional help/support he may need. Mine has someone with him fulltime in He lectures paid for by his DSA.

Best wishes

Sorry - meant to ad.

If he had a Statement during his time at school then Connexions should assume responsibility for helping him find work/study post FE College.

If he wants to go to a residential FE college for Aspergers students where he could do further voctaional or academic courses then Connexions should be able to advise.

Thanks. a few things to follow up.