Employment adult aspergers

Hi there, 

Is your son using the job centre? If so make sure you ask for a DEA (disability employment advisor); mine was great. They never seem to make it obvious that they exist, though- I only knew about them because my mum worked at the DWP.

What are the problems he is having, specifically? Is it applications, interviews, getting experience? 

The NAS has support services aimed at autistic adults who wish to find work but are having difficulty. https://www.autism.org.uk/services/work/work-search.aspx Do any of these look useful?

Hi Emma, my name is Mina and I have a 23 year old son on the ASD spectrum who is unemployed.  He achieved Level 2 in Customer Support and is adamant that he wants to only work in Marks and Spencer.  He had a two week placement  through Remploy and did very well, lots of positives but needed to go away and work on his confidence.  He has done this but really don't know what to do next.  He is on ESA and still receives DLA so would it be best to go through the job centre?  I'm not sure he could cope with full time hours but, part-time, about 12 hours should be ok.   Also, I know he is putting all his eggs in one basket but I was wondering whether there are any apprenticeships in retail for those on the ASD spectrum.   I really am concerned about him as he suffers from severe stress and anxiety.  He has no friends although he is very sociable and likes to go out and has never had a girlfriend.   Anyway that's a short summary of his situation so any advice would be brilliant.  Thank you.   Mina

Hi Mina,

Apologies for the delayed response; I've been quite literally off the grid! (3 days wild camping)

If your son is already on ESA I would suggest not rocking the boat in that regard and doing some retail-related volunteering while he looks for a suitable job or apprenticeship. This would keep him in good practice re. working with the public in a retail setting, build further confidence and show potential employers/apprenticeship providers that he is capable and committed. 

Re. Apprenticeships, they do not have to be ASD specific. As long as your son is open about the accommodations he would need to access the apprenticeship as easily as a non-autistic person they should be happy to provide them (in fact they have to, as per the equality act). M&S even do their own apprenticeships, which may well be worth looking in to.

If you still want something tailored to ASD, the NAS have their own services dedicated to helping autistic adults in the workplace or seeking work.
https://www.autism.org.uk/services/work/work-search.aspx

Hope that helps,

Emma

Hi Mina,

Apologies for the delayed response; I've been quite literally off the grid! (3 days wild camping)

If your son is already on ESA I would suggest not rocking the boat in that regard and doing some retail-related volunteering while he looks for a suitable job or apprenticeship. This would keep him in good practice re. working with the public in a retail setting, build further confidence and show potential employers/apprenticeship providers that he is capable and committed. 

Re. Apprenticeships, they do not have to be ASD specific. As long as your son is open about the accommodations he would need to access the apprenticeship as easily as a non-autistic person they should be happy to provide them (in fact they have to, as per the equality act). M&S even do their own apprenticeships, which may well be worth looking in to.

If you still want something tailored to ASD, the NAS have their own services dedicated to helping autistic adults in the workplace or seeking work.
https://www.autism.org.uk/services/work/work-search.aspx

Hope that helps,

Emma

Thank you Emma!  I will look into M & S apprenticeships.  Didn't think of that one.  Also, it seems a general consensus of opinion that the ESA Employment Adivsor would be a good route to take for employment.  Everyone is so supportive here, I wish I'd known about this community sooner!!  Mina