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Mentoring

Coogybear

Hi Folks,

  My son is considering working for himself following a disasterous stint in FE and a series of prejudicial rejections from the work market.

Does anyone have a clue who I could approach for tailored Mentoring for him and/or Grants available to give him access to work?

He's under 18, so doesn't meet the criteria for most of the government Schemes, but doesn't feel he should be prohibited from working just because he doesn't fit into their remit.

Any suggestions gratefully recieved

Thanks

Coogybear.

  • My son struggles with IT. He's also severely dyslexic. He's a manual worker. Outdoors mainly and alone for the most part which suits him. He already has a client base, but only works part-time because this helps him manage his stress levels better. He's happy, but needs support hence the mentoring. I believe he's chosen well. He knows what he wants and i support him in that, but mentoring would be really useful with the communication and confidence. Finding tailored support is difficult though as I've only just found.

    One of my boys did SULP (Social use of Language) and ASDAN (life Skills.) which was great. My other did manual skills. He could really do with SULP and ASDAN also, but they are not really available in an adult non- educational environment from what I can see.

    Many Aspies work at part-time self-employment as do I. It's what an indidvidual feels comfortable with. I hate the social interaction part, but I think I hide that quite well. Thankfully, their is not too much of it for my situation.

    Would still welcome some pointers.

    Coogy

  • Former Member
    Former Member

    Hi Coogy,

    For some people on the spectrum, self employment can be really good as you are your own boss and you avoid some of the political/social issues that arise in many work situations. I would be cautious with advising your son to go down this route. I've been self employed as an IT contractor and I found this harder than working as a permanent staff member. I had to repeatedly go into new (social) environments and work out who was who and what was what. This always took time and stress. Secondly it needs good organisational skills and motivation to keep records e.g. to pick up the phone and speak to new people, to go out and find new work. I think one of the key things is to pick a suitable career and then work out how to get a foothold in a suitable firm. IT is a popular choice but there are other avenues to consider. What does your son want to do? What are his strengths? What are his interests?

  • NAS Can you help?

    I've searched your website looking for self-employmet support. I found this page which seems to infer you have a section about self-employment. (In work or self-employed.)

    On pressing the self-employment section it mentions nothing about it on the opening page.

    www.autism.org.uk/.../finding-work-or-in-employment.aspx

    In fact it reads 'NAS employment support for employees.' (support for employees in the workplace.)

    Can you tell me, do you offer mentoring for those on the spectrum looking at Self-employment?

    Coogybear