My son...
My son is about to turn 16. He has Aspergers syndrome. Lately I have been thinking he should find a job. Not because he has to have one, but because I think if he is ever going to be able to make it on his own he is going to need to start now to work out any issues he has before he is on his own. The problem is this. I don't know what kind of job he would be able to hold. There is no way he would ever be able to work as something like a cashier. He doesn't talk to people. I also don't know how to go about finding him the kind of job he needs. I mean when I need a job, I just go apply at anywhere and get a job, but i pretty much have no special requirements. I don't know how he would ever get past the interview. I am a huge believer in being self-employed, but for him at the moment I think he needs to have a "regular" job for a while. I think he needs to be around people..even if it is forced.:-) I don't know, this is stressing me out. The fear that he is never going to be able to function and have a normal life has just suddenly started creeping up on me the closer he gets to 16. I guess because I see other people his age and think of what I was like and see the huge gap with where he is at now. I guess denial is easier when they are younger. Now he is getting close to being an adult and being on his own. I have a fear he will never be able to make it on his own...
Comments
I don't know where you are located but I know here in Oregon there are places like Senior and Disability Services or even you're local Social Services/Welfare office that can help you find someone who can coordinate a job for him. These services may even be able to employ him themselves through an outreach program they have. I know we have a program here that employs the developmentally disabled to help pick up and process recycled items. It may sound "beneath" someone, but in their eyes they are able to do something that makes them feel good and productive. I hope there is something like that where you are and I encourage you to get a hold of the other services to see what's out there. He may not be able to make it on his own, but he may be able to make it with a little help from a few organizations out there. Good luck!