• Replies 4 replies
  • Subscribers 65 subscribers
  • Views 1066 views
  • Users 0 members are here
Options
Related
Hints and tips
  • To quote someone's message, first select/highlight the relevant text, and then use the Quote button that appears
  • To "mention" someone, type @ followed by the start of the forum name, and choose from the list; that person will get a notification of being mentioned

My Son is finding life difficult

sunset

Has said above my Son if finding life difficult. He's 21, unemployed and being encouraged to seek jobs almost the same as an indivdual would, without autism.  He hasn't got the skills to gain a job through the normal channels, but this falls on deaf ears. 

You have to fight for everything, people just see a person with no physical disablilites and assume able even though you have autism, you have no difficulties.  The unemployment say they understand, but don't really accommadate his needs.

I could go on, but I know many must have experience this.

Thank you. 

  • Hi, yes we may be about to go through this, my son is 20. He has been in education 6th form and college since leaving school, College is due to finish this year and he is just starting to claim ESA. There is no way he could cope with a job, even if he had to sign on i would have to go with him. I feel that we get a lot of help with children, but when they are adults there is nothing.

  • hi my son too is unemployed and finding it difficult but he's being helped by scope and there supporting him and helping him towards work experience job interview techniques and getting around. Ask at the job centre if theres schemes available in your area or look around and try yourself for him. feel for you its a difficult transition for them as it is and even worse if not getting the support they really need x

     

  • It is also important to bear in mind that a lot of young people are not finding work in the current recession, though it varies regionally and locally. It might be useful to find out what the local unemployment situation is for 21 year olds, or 18-25, or a similar category. There are websites that tell you this.

    I raise this because it is important in terms of how many people are looking for how few jobs. If you are in an area where uptake of 21 year olds is high, then you have good grounds to challenge this. 

    Is there a careers adviser available locally (school, local college, employment office) who would work with an autism specialist to assess your son's abilities and give good advice? Is there a local programme through your local parents group to get young people work experience?

    If there is an Further Education College near you, sometimes they will help even if your son is not attending, or if you approach them from the point of view of advice on whether he could take on a course. They tend to have reasonable cooperation between careers advisory staff and disability support staff and knowledge of autistic students.

  • Sunset, is your son on ESA?

    I have seen previously on this community forum someone who was put on jobseekers, not ESA. Also, the NAS has a helpline which specifically deals with welfare issues, the number is on this website.

    It is very important that you son's needs and abilities are properly assessed, and that he is then put in the right group within ESA. Don't just accept what you are told, as the system is cracking and the people at jobcentre plus are not experts. You really need to discuss this with someone who knows autism and can support you and your son.

    Do you think your son could cope with a job? If not, you have to get him in the support group. If he can only cope with a limited range of jobs, this must be taken into account. Everyone who has an ASD has a different range of difficulties (and strengths) and this has to be realised and understood.

    It is also helpful if the people who have dealt with your son (GP, psychologist, speech therapist, psychiatrist, etc.) are involved in the assessment process. Don't let ATOS have the only say in the assessment as the system isn't geared up for anything but temporary physical ailments.

    Please call the NAS helpline.

    Best wishes.