Teenagers With Autism: Want a Job?

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MAYBE IT DOES, BUT I DON'T KNOW ABOUT IT. YOU SEE, IT'S BEEN A LONG TIME SINCE I "LOST"THEY MY AUTISTIC SON. WELL THE GOVERNMENT SAYS YOU CANNOT LOSE WHAT IS NOT YOURS, BUT THEIRS TO DO AS THEY PLEASE WITH, SO THE LOSS WAS WORSE THAN DEATH WHERE GOD WOULD WATCH OVER HIM AS HE CONTINUED TO "GROW". HE WAS TAKEN FROM A LOVING ENVIRONMENT AS PART OF A FAMILY WHERE HE WAS SOCIALIZED FOR THE FIRST TIME AND WHERE HE ABSOLUTLEY THRIVED!JUST AS A WAY TO SHUT UP A STRONG ADVOCATE AND ADMIRABLE "FOSTER MOM". "WE" AREN'T SUPPOSE TO LOVE THEM OR BECOME ATTACHED , "YOU KNOW THEY AREN'T YOURS".
NOW THAT MY HUSBAND AND I ARE LIVING ON SSDI, (I NEVER EXPECTED TO BE ONE OF THE MANY DISBLED, MY PART WAS TO FIGHT FOR OTHERS!)WE WOULD WELCOME THE OPPORTUNITY TO OFFER A SMALL "PRIVATE LIVING AREA" WHICH WE CONVERTED WHEN MY DAUGHTER GREW UP, OUT, AND THEN CAME BACK SO WE COULD ASSIST WITH OUR GRANDSON WHO WAS A PREEMIE AND HAD MANY DIFFICULTIES IN HIS FIRST FEW BREATHS AND YEARS. HE HAS CP, BUT HE IS THE MOST INTELLIGENT AND COURAGEOUS LITTLE GUY YOU'S EVER MEET! MOST POPULAR KID IN HIS GRADE SCHOOL, NO LESS. YES HE HAS "DIFFERENT ABILITIES", BUT HE HAS THE ATTITUDE THAT THERE IS NOT SOMETHING WRONG WITH HIM...HE IS WHO GOD MEANT HIM TO BE AND HE IS SHOWING ALL HE MEETS WHAT A LITTLE BOY WHO MIGHT NOT HAVE WALKED, TALKED, OR DEVELOPED INTO THE BEAUTIFUL PERSON HE IS IF IT HAD NOT BEEN FOR THE "GRASS ROOTS" PHILOSOPHY HE WAS SURROUNDED WITH AND CONSTANTLY ENCOURAGED TO TRY ANYTHING HE COULD AND WOULD. HE IS 10 NOW.
BUT RECENTLY WE HAVE AN EMPTY NEST ABOVE OUR FIRST FLOOR AND I HAVE THOUGHT MORE AND MORE ABOUT BEING ABLE TO HELP YOUNG ADULTS WITH MENTAL DIFFICULTIES LEAD HAPPY AND PRODUCTIVE LIVES WHILE I THRIVE IN BEING ABLE TO HELP THEM SUCCEED.
I AM IN MY 50'S AND HAVE SECONDARY PROGRESSIVE MS, STILL WALK, RIDE MY HORSE AND FALL DOWN A LOT. MY BRAIN IS SCATTED AT TIMES(ALL THE TIME SOME WOULD SAY) BUT IS ASTUTE IN THE MEDICAL FIELDS I PARACTICED IN AS A PRIVATE CAREGIVER AND AS AN EMT AND ON RESCUE SQUAD.
MUST GO...TIME TO GET READY FOR CHURCH, BUT IF ANYONE KNOWS OF A PROGRAM OR INDIVIDUAL WHO NEEDS A CHANCE TO THRIVE IN A SUPPORTIVE ENVIRONMENT, I KNOW THAT IT WOULD BE WONDERFUL FOR US ALL.

Kathleen Casey of MA 9:13AM April 19, 2009

As a working adult with autism who started my own business and has helped my husband start and maintain his (he's not autistic), we have the possibilities that everyone else has. We just opperate differently. Sometimes our differences are big plusses to the "normal" people we work with because we can do many things they can't. Obsesive compulsive secretaries make sure everything is done right the first time and that you stay on time and all of your paperwork is accurate. We also may be slow to learn, but once we do look out because while you have cerebral flatus we never forget. (Just be prepared to have difficulty changing the rules on us.)Just because we're different doesn't mean we can't do things or that you should feel sorry for us, it simply means we have to work harder. My theory is you appreciate more what you work for most.

Tammy of TX 12:22PM April 09, 2009

Thanks for bringing attention to the importance of autism, adulthood and employment. Given proper services and supports individuals with autism can be successfully employed. Individuals with autism, families and social service providers have stories to share of individuals with autism who have succeeded. Individuals with autism, who have gained, maintained and advanced their careers. These stories need to be heard so society can raise their expectations of individuals with autism. Given effective support adults with autism contribute to their communities and lead meaningful lives.

Patricia Wright of IL 10:08PM April 07, 2009

I have my own experience as a working autistic. My company was established to hire those with mental difficulties like autism. It's not a sheltered workshop. it's a real screen printing business with the mentally disabled doing real jobs to run this business with no help from any government agency for training or any other preparation or help. Unfortunately, I know of only two such businesses, both on Staten Island, NY, and I've worked at both. They're much better than any institution.

David Rubin of NY 8:59PM April 07, 2009

The Douglass Developmental Disabilities Center in New Brunswick, NJ has an excellent adult program. I created a charity compilation CD of local bands whose proceeds benefit the DDDC's adult program. Check it out at artforautism.net !
The DDDC's adult program offers support for employment opportunities, in-home supports, adult day service, and residential services. These are services which help adults with autism develop and preserve meaningful lives as productive members of society, promoting employment opportunities, social ties in the community, as well as independence.
Specifically, the adult program works to help adults with autism live and work in the community successfully. The ratio of staff to adult with autism is 1:1. All supervisors have an advanced degree and are a Board Certified Behavioral Analyst. Through this environment, individuals with autism learn vocational skills, which lead to job placement. Adults with autism leave the DDDC once per week for a learning experience. Community integration is the goal of the staff of the DDDC.

Amanda of NJ 2:33PM April 06, 2009

Hello Uncle Joe!!!! Niece Amber here.. Just wanted to tell you that IM sooo proud of you, and how far you have come.. you will amaze ppl.. I love how you push for things, and dont let anything get in your way.. I think you are showing a terrific example, and showing others that they can actually do something in the world.. I love you soo much, and am proud of what ur doing.. love and miss ya..

Amber of IA 8:21AM April 06, 2009

I have Autistic Twin Sons (7yrs. Old). One is verbal and one is non-verbal. I will NEVER sell them short. I hope the young people today (Ages 12-30 years old) realize that in this day and age if they want to have a career that WILL BE IN DEMAND in the future...they should check out the idea of becoming a BEHAVIORAL,PHYSICAL, SPEECH, or OCCUPATIONAL Therapist.
THERAPY Places are NOT ALL THE SAME...I know of only a few that actually "Make House Calls"....THis is a goldmine waiting to be tapped....
Insurance Companies need to come around and help out the PARENTS of Autistic Children and ADULTS and start covering some of the therapies so that everyone, and I mean EVERYONE benefits.

A Devoted Father of Autistic Twin Sons of FL 5:30PM April 05, 2009

I have a son that is a little slower than other young people his age ,But He is my stepson but I am always telling him that He can do anything He wants to,,It only took him a little longer to catch on>><<He had his own father telling him that He would never be able to do the things that other people his age do<< I am a very proud Father to him and the way He has developed into a responsible human being He is a wiz on a computer and has taught me what I know that makes me feel I have created a monster,He now stands up to his own father and tells him like it is but with respect of course.He wants to create games for video games and I am going to back him all I can and if possible finance his training. To me He is my son and I love him just like my own son . Way to go JOE and congradulations You have ausome parents Joe very special people>.

Ernie Wymer Jr of MI 3:01PM April 05, 2009