Published on 12, July, 2020
Hi …my son is 21 and wants to stay on at college but in September we will have to pay for his course ….we were late to the party and only have just applied for universal credit for him but they will only pay it until August…..unless he leaves college and he can still get it but must find a job…..I don’t think my son is able to find work …he has Aspergers and is the least confident person I know with strangers !!!!!!!!
You could see if he is eligible for 'limited capacity to work' which would take the pressure of looking for work away and give him the opportunity to study / train in a desired field
If this may be an option that hasn't been explored you can contact Citizen Advice for more information
make sure you dont let him know you have little confidence of him finding work. always believe in him and make out to him that you know he can do it.belief and words are a strong thing. if you think he cant get a job, then he will think he cant get a job and find it hopeless, then the words will be a self fulfilling prophecy. you must always remain positive to him and make out you believe he can do anything he sets his mind to. belief fuels confidence in oneself and can lead to success.but yeah it was hard for me too, only got stuck into a job for real in my 30s lol but motivation and self belief and confidence can go a long way. and when he gets into work and sees how rubbish everyone else is then hes set for life.
What makes you say he is unable to find work? The job centre will help him find work if he receives UC himself. And where the employers are concerned, they will have ti take into account any requirements he needs in order to do the job.
He’s autistic, so will have issues with strangers. It doesn’t mean that he is also not confident. He might benefit from a social anxiety CBT course, to help him navigate certain situations, and be more prepared for social encounters.
it might be worth looking around for free courses. There are some. It really depends on what he wishes to do, and how he wishes to study. At this age, I think a part time job might do him some good. Obviously I don’t know what limitations he has, but even stock replenishment is a start. He would be left to his own devices, and there is minimal customer contact. None if he worked an early or night shift. It might get him used to a working environment and small interactions.
One option, if he can stomach the thought of a student loan, is skip collage and do a 4 year access course at uni. The first year is basically a stand in for a levels.
Make sure that your son tells the Job Centre knows that he is autistic, and asks them for support. Don't assume that he will not find work. Autism can be a strength in some jobs ... look for employers that are neurodiversity friendly.