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Is there anyone who is self-employed?

Leona26

I’ve been thinking a lot lately about self-employment in the autistic community. We often hear about barriers to employment, but not as much about autistic people starting their own businesses or being self-employed. 

  • Do you know some programs that can offer entrepreneurial training for autistic people?

  • Is it that the stories just aren’t being shared enough?

  • How can we get funds?
Parents

  • I was self employed for 8 years - way before my diagnosis.  My local council sponsored a "setting up your own business" courses which covered all the necessary details.  I think most Banks will have similar information - but the council run course was good - spread over a number a weeks (think was 1/2 day a week) for say 8 to 10 weeks.

    I think you really have to think if the idea is something that given the time and effort you need to put in , then what payment and income you can expect to get from that - vs missed income + employee benefits from being employed or even what impact it may have on any support benefits.

    There is usually start-up funding available (google start-up loans) but most of these you'll need to put some money in yourself and then starting paying back or delay (but get hit with growing interest)

Reply

  • I was self employed for 8 years - way before my diagnosis.  My local council sponsored a "setting up your own business" courses which covered all the necessary details.  I think most Banks will have similar information - but the council run course was good - spread over a number a weeks (think was 1/2 day a week) for say 8 to 10 weeks.

    I think you really have to think if the idea is something that given the time and effort you need to put in , then what payment and income you can expect to get from that - vs missed income + employee benefits from being employed or even what impact it may have on any support benefits.

    There is usually start-up funding available (google start-up loans) but most of these you'll need to put some money in yourself and then starting paying back or delay (but get hit with growing interest)

Children
  • in reply to Jalapeno

    Thanks for sharing your experience. I didn’t know councils sometimes offer business courses — that actually sounds like a great way to learn without getting too overwhelmed. 

    I’ve been thinking about trying self-employment too, maybe starting small by selling handmade items like jewelry. I don’t have a proper business plan yet, though. I think part of what’s holding me back is feeling like I haven’t had any real training, and I’m also not sure how I’d handle the funding side of things.