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How do you juggle working and teenage autistic child?

Ch3rrie

Hi everyone,

At the moment, I am in university and when I graduate, my son will be 14.

I am a single mother and finding childcare for him now he is in secondary school has been an impossible task and I just don't know if I am even going to be able to even get a full time job when I do graduate due to the lack of support out there for teenagers.

My son might by then be able to independently travel to and from his school, but then what?  He will be 14, he surely won't be able to come home on his own and stay there until I am home.  His school do not do any after school clubs and I had no luck looking for a childminder or after school club.  I contacted my local council and they couldn't find any help either.

I looked into a personal assistant, but they are around £14 an hour and the only help i'd get would be about £550 from direct payments.  I can't rely on anyone in my life to be there to help out either.

My marriage has recently broken down and I feel like I am going to have no choice but to stay at home and be his carer full time and not be able to earn enough money to support my children, buy a house for them and give them financial stability because I can't find any way for him to be guaranteed safe if I am working.

There is absolutely no problem with me staying at home and being his carer, I did that for a long time before University.  I just want to be able to buy a house, give myself a life, show my children that even with mountains, I was able to overcome them and it was worth it.  I want to be able to own a house and be able to leave them something for when I am gone so I know they will at least have a home and never have to worry about it.

My degree will be in Law so I know, it's going to be a lot of work already.

Am I trying to work an impossible thing out here?  If it's not impossible, how is it done?

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  • Former Member
    Former Member

    What are the support needs that he can't get himself ready in the morning or stay at home on his own for a few hours in the evening? If he can't be left on his own now how will things change when he leaves school? I'm asking to help me understand your situation better. I looked after myself and my younger brother for a few hours whilst my mum worked on a regular basis from being younger than your son. As I'd been taught how to cook we had something to eat and watched tv for a few hours.

    If you're going to rely on personal care, it sounds like working pt might be the best option. The Entitled To calculator will be able to let you know how any jobs you might want to apply for would affect your benefits.

    I'm due to give birth in a few weeks and am not planning on returning to work. I'm a teacher but also ran national events as part of my job. Instead of working a fixed routine and having to pay for childcare I am going to apply for grant funding to create educational resources for autistics, plus I plan on running regular training events to make a living from the participants fee. 

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  • Former Member
    Former Member

    What are the support needs that he can't get himself ready in the morning or stay at home on his own for a few hours in the evening? If he can't be left on his own now how will things change when he leaves school? I'm asking to help me understand your situation better. I looked after myself and my younger brother for a few hours whilst my mum worked on a regular basis from being younger than your son. As I'd been taught how to cook we had something to eat and watched tv for a few hours.

    If you're going to rely on personal care, it sounds like working pt might be the best option. The Entitled To calculator will be able to let you know how any jobs you might want to apply for would affect your benefits.

    I'm due to give birth in a few weeks and am not planning on returning to work. I'm a teacher but also ran national events as part of my job. Instead of working a fixed routine and having to pay for childcare I am going to apply for grant funding to create educational resources for autistics, plus I plan on running regular training events to make a living from the participants fee. 

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