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<blockquote data-quote="Marguerite" data-source="post: 85544" data-attributes="member: 1991"><p>With difficult child 1's first job, it was a volunteer position at the local zoo. However, it was a highly competitive one and they nearly let him go on the first day. I asked them how he went, they shook their heads. I then explained, "Would his having Asperger's Syndrome help you understand him a bit better?"</p><p>"Crikey, that explains a lot," the head keeper said. (No it wasn't Steve Irwin - 'crikey' is a generic Aussie word). The head keeper had some understanding and now realised that difficult child 1's apparent lack of emotion and odd responses were not insolence and apathy, they were something completely different. He made some useful suggestions (more suitable clothing ie not black, it scares the customers; carry notebook and pencil to write down orders for the day; carry plenty of bottled water in the heat; etc)</p><p></p><p>And from the expectation that even with this level of consideration he would only last a few months before they'd need to let him go and put the next volunteer on the list to work, they kept difficult child 1 for two years until HE chose to leave to look for paid employment. And they said they'd love to have him back, any time.</p><p></p><p>The situation now - he still hasn't got a job. The Australian government is desperately trying to cut costs by getting disabled people into the workforce (and off disability pensions). They've set up a number of employment agencies all round, plus a few which specialise in people with disabilities. Some deal with short-term disabilities and also include some physical rehabilitation as well as initial support with employers in terms of setting up working conditions. The support tapers off as you adapt to the workplace (and vice versa). Others, like the one difficult child 1 is currently with, will provide support indefinitely, for years if necessary, and since his disability is permanent he opted for that one. However, the word is out among people I've talked to that while this agency is great for teaching people the skills in how to apply for a job, their record of placement is very low. So difficult child 1 has also enrolled in another new government initiative - apprenticeship scheme. This is designed to take older apprenticeship applicants and find them a position. Tradesmen who want apprentices register, and the agency sends them applicants. difficult child 1 went for two interviews this afternoon, the second one seems hopeful.</p><p>If he gets a position, the disability employment agency will still be involved in supporting him, for as long as he wants it. And all of this is free to him - the government is footing the bill.</p><p></p><p>Now, this is in Australia, so surely there should be something in the US you could access? But if you can't find anything, I do feel it is important to explain upfront, before he starts, the extent of the problems he has and how you get around them. For example, difficult child 1 and his notebook. If an employer makes sure any instructions are written down, then difficult child 1 can follow them. As we found, to let the kid begin a job without informing them means they will judge the kid by 'normal' standards and will probably not keep them on. But kids like ours - they can be good workers. It's a matter of using their abilities. difficult child 1 is honest and loyal, once an employer realises this they value it. I know the zoo did.</p><p></p><p>Marg</p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="Marguerite, post: 85544, member: 1991"] With difficult child 1's first job, it was a volunteer position at the local zoo. However, it was a highly competitive one and they nearly let him go on the first day. I asked them how he went, they shook their heads. I then explained, "Would his having Asperger's Syndrome help you understand him a bit better?" "Crikey, that explains a lot," the head keeper said. (No it wasn't Steve Irwin - 'crikey' is a generic Aussie word). The head keeper had some understanding and now realised that difficult child 1's apparent lack of emotion and odd responses were not insolence and apathy, they were something completely different. He made some useful suggestions (more suitable clothing ie not black, it scares the customers; carry notebook and pencil to write down orders for the day; carry plenty of bottled water in the heat; etc) And from the expectation that even with this level of consideration he would only last a few months before they'd need to let him go and put the next volunteer on the list to work, they kept difficult child 1 for two years until HE chose to leave to look for paid employment. And they said they'd love to have him back, any time. The situation now - he still hasn't got a job. The Australian government is desperately trying to cut costs by getting disabled people into the workforce (and off disability pensions). They've set up a number of employment agencies all round, plus a few which specialise in people with disabilities. Some deal with short-term disabilities and also include some physical rehabilitation as well as initial support with employers in terms of setting up working conditions. The support tapers off as you adapt to the workplace (and vice versa). Others, like the one difficult child 1 is currently with, will provide support indefinitely, for years if necessary, and since his disability is permanent he opted for that one. However, the word is out among people I've talked to that while this agency is great for teaching people the skills in how to apply for a job, their record of placement is very low. So difficult child 1 has also enrolled in another new government initiative - apprenticeship scheme. This is designed to take older apprenticeship applicants and find them a position. Tradesmen who want apprentices register, and the agency sends them applicants. difficult child 1 went for two interviews this afternoon, the second one seems hopeful. If he gets a position, the disability employment agency will still be involved in supporting him, for as long as he wants it. And all of this is free to him - the government is footing the bill. Now, this is in Australia, so surely there should be something in the US you could access? But if you can't find anything, I do feel it is important to explain upfront, before he starts, the extent of the problems he has and how you get around them. For example, difficult child 1 and his notebook. If an employer makes sure any instructions are written down, then difficult child 1 can follow them. As we found, to let the kid begin a job without informing them means they will judge the kid by 'normal' standards and will probably not keep them on. But kids like ours - they can be good workers. It's a matter of using their abilities. difficult child 1 is honest and loyal, once an employer realises this they value it. I know the zoo did. Marg [/QUOTE]
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