Can an autistic adult be employed as a carer of other autistic people?

is there anything to stop autistic people caring for other autistic people?

to date I have found the accepted cultural view is that non autistic NVQ carers care for autistic people and that care by parents and siblings, loving partners and/or other autistic people is somewhat frowned upon, which is quite frankly bizarre

I have for many years provided respite care for parents who are friends who have autistic children. I have basic childcare qualifications, plus required clearances and in addition provide a sort of NT to AT transulation service having an understanding of NT like perhaps someone would of a foreign language or culture. I allow parents a break and calm situations down, while tutoring life skills from life long experience. 

I am yet to charge, while I was just able to cover my needs from my employment (though now slipping into debt) I felt that charging parents was unfair- they have enough issues with regard to their child, let alone financial

that said I am coming to an employment crossroads and will need a new path. So is there anything to stop me being an independent carer, in order to remain independent myself? and can I apply for funding so I am not making life more difficult for families?

Parents
  • hi otter - haven't got any detail for you.  I presume that if you have the necessary certificates/clearance(s) to help/work with children then that's a good starting point.  As you want to be independent it may be an idea to check out how you could become a small business + whether you would qualify for any grants to set it up??  Googling should point you in the right direction for that, if you think it might be a way forward.  

Reply
  • hi otter - haven't got any detail for you.  I presume that if you have the necessary certificates/clearance(s) to help/work with children then that's a good starting point.  As you want to be independent it may be an idea to check out how you could become a small business + whether you would qualify for any grants to set it up??  Googling should point you in the right direction for that, if you think it might be a way forward.  

Children
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