Son is 'stuck'

[fairlybalancedmum]

My son is 18 and has HFA. He has social anxiety/social communication difficulties although did go to mainstream school/ college. He is 'stuck' in that he is too anxious to have an interview or start a job. He is happy to try supermarket work but won't start without some kind of buddy or induction and will not be interviewed. Can anyone advice me of any support agencies? Does anyone know if Disability Employment Advisors still exist. We don't claim any benefits either and I wonder if we are entitled to anything. Thanks

I had one of these! He's high functioning, so he can learn enough to get through an interview. It will take a lot (months, possibly) of preparation though. We worked through books on interview skills and typical questions with ours, also on CV writing. Also What Colour is Your Parachute.

Ours was amazed. Once they realized that there was a limited core pool of main questions, and they could study them as for an exam, a lightbulb lit up Do you have a friend used to conducting job interviews? Would they do mock interviews for practice? Plan it like a campaign.

Thanks for your reply Spaceship, it makes me much more hopeful. I'll look at your recommendations. I need to be patient I guess.

Have you looked at Employ Autism's website? I receive emails about opportunities from them so perhaps they have advice.

Thanks VMJ1. I'll have a look.

Have you looked at the ‘Disability Confident Employer’ scheme the DWP Promote?
As much as I disagree that companies need to have a scheme for disabled people, for children like our’s it might be useful to check out.

We are having exactly the same difficulty with DS (almost 17). His special school have just told us he can’t stay into year 13, as they can’t provide anything else that’s academic enough for him. I’m not sure they’re allowed to do that but it now means he’s panicking about the future.

Like your son, mine is academically able but finds social communication very difficult.

Thanks Verbena, it's good to have somewhere to try to help my son. It is hard for our sons as they become adults but lack the interpersonal side to get them into a work situation. Best of luck to you both.

DS can apply for PIP and UC, if he cannot manage the claim himself you, or someone else, can become his appointee.

Have you considered applying for an EHCP? They can include supported internships or apprenticeships. They can also include therapies to help with anxiety, communication and independent living skills.