Transition to P/T work for Aspie/OCD/Rare Disease kiddo (my son)...

[tex-mex]

Hi,
Just wondering if there are others out there who has begun the transition for teens (with special needs) into things like a p/t job and driver's ed? My guy is 14 -- wonderful kid -- but omg are we nervous about this chapter in his life! Any advice or tips for kiddos like mine who find it hard to navigate the waters socially would be appreciated. Thanks!

[KarenAnne]

My Aspie daughter, who just turned fourteen, has been working for two years at the riding stables where she takes lessons. It has been a fantastic experience for her in so many ways. Socially it has been a boon because she is working with and around people whose conversations revolve around horses, their common passion -- not typical teenage things which she cannot enter into. There are a lot of adults, a lot of young kids, not too many kids her own age. This is both good and bad; she is comfortable with the adults and while she misses kids her own age, she is beginning to warm up toward younger children. She has been given a lot of responsibility and earns free lessons and/or extra riding time. She's been asked to make a video about how to groom a horse and how to tack up (put on saddle and bridle) for new riders.

I hope Jennifer sees your post and writes about her son, who was working doing lighting for theater productions during his high school years. Jobs, mentorships, or any kind of work-study opportunity are great for any kid, but especially for Aspies, I think, because they are valued for their special interests and passions, or simply for the rule-following nature they often have, that typically does not have any kind of value for neurotypical kids their own age. It also gives them a structured realm for a different kind of social exchange.

My daughter is already absolutely sure she isn't going to drive. If she does, I think it will be a number of years later than most other kids. She certainly isn't going to get her license at sixteen. I worry about this a lot, as a naive Aspie girl doesn't need to be taking buses around a major city in the evenings. I'm curious what other kids have been able to achieve or how parents have been able to work around continuing challenges in these areas.

[tex-mex]

My Aspie daughter, who just turned fourteen, has been working for two years at the riding stables where she takes lessons. It has been a fantastic experience for her in so many ways. Socially it has been a boon because she is working with and around people whose conversations revolve around horses, their common passion -- not typical teenage things which she cannot enter into. There are a lot of adults, a lot of young kids, not too many kids her own age. This is both good and bad; she is comfortable with the adults and while she misses kids her own age, she is beginning to warm up toward younger children. She has been given a lot of responsibility and earns free lessons and/or extra riding time. She's been asked to make a video about how to groom a horse and how to tack up (put on saddle and bridle) for new riders.

I hope Jennifer sees your post and writes about her son, who was working doing lighting for theater productions during his high school years. Jobs, mentorships, or any kind of work-study opportunity are great for any kid, but especially for Aspies, I think, because they are valued for their special interests and passions, or simply for the rule-following nature they often have, that typically does not have any kind of value for neurotypical kids their own age. It also gives them a structured realm for a different kind of social exchange.

My daughter is already absolutely sure she isn't going to drive. If she does, I think it will be a number of years later than most other kids. She certainly isn't going to get her license at sixteen. I worry about this a lot, as a naive Aspie girl doesn't need to be taking buses around a major city in the evenings. I'm curious what other kids have been able to achieve or how parents have been able to work around continuing challenges in these areas.

Thank you for your reply! :)
The Driver's Ed part we will try -- our son admits he is very nervous to drive. But we reassure him that although he will earn his license... he does not have to drive in areas that make him nervous (i.e. busy traffic or tollroads). We prefer to have him learn how to drive locally. But we'll see. His anxiety may flare up. He may do well?

I love what your ds is doing for p/t work! I'd love for my son to do a mentorship. We are thinking of getting him working as a bag boy with a local market -- but worried if he can handle the fast pace of busy days. I think he can do it. The idea of an apprenticeship sounds wonderful and not that stressful!

[tex-mex]

Anyone else with tips or advice? :)

[8FillTheHeart]

Hi,
Just wondering if there are others out there who has begun the transition for teens (with special needs) into things like a p/t job and driver's ed? My guy is 14 -- wonderful kid -- but omg are we nervous about this chapter in his life! Any advice or tips for kiddos like mine who find it hard to navigate the waters socially would be appreciated. Thanks!

Unfortunately, I can beat your nervousness and concerns hands down b/c my ds is 18.

We are completely lost at sea, so I am NO help whatsoever. After being on a waiting list for well over 1/2 a yr, we finally have an appt in May with a psychologist who specializes in helping SN teens transition to adulthood. I am praying that he can help give us some direction.

It is EXTREMELY frustrating that it is void when it comes to finding sources to help these kids as young adults.

[Ottakee]

Well, I am there in more ways than 1.

Ds is 22--fetal alcohol, mentally impaired
Dd is 14--rare mito issues, mentally impaired
dd is 13--rare mito issues, cognitvely impaired

In our area the schools and community mental health have a lot of resources for these kids. My son is in a program where he goes 5 days a week (takes the school bus) to a job training program where he goes to different job sites and learns the skills he needs to get a job. This summer he should be working at Papa Murphy's pizza. Jobs though are SO tough to find right now as we have about a 25% unemployment rate in our area right now. He likely will never drive but they do have programs to teach special needs kids how to drive and evaluate them for safety, etc.

I know that some people like to avoid the public schools and public services but there are some really good programs out there that are free to these kids that can be very helpful.

[

[tex-mex]

Unfortunately, I can beat your nervousness and concerns hands down b/c my ds is 18.

We are completely lost at sea, so I am NO help whatsoever. After being on a waiting list for well over 1/2 a yr, we finally have an appt in May with a psychologist who specializes in helping SN teens transition to adulthood. I am praying that he can help give us some direction.

It is EXTREMELY frustrating that it is void when it comes to finding sources to help these kids as young adults.


I completely agree with you! :grouphug::grouphug:

[tex-mex]

Well, I am there in more ways than 1.

Ds is 22--fetal alcohol, mentally impaired
Dd is 14--rare mito issues, mentally impaired
dd is 13--rare mito issues, cognitvely impaired

In our area the schools and community mental health have a lot of resources for these kids. My son is in a program where he goes 5 days a week (takes the school bus) to a job training program where he goes to different job sites and learns the skills he needs to get a job. This summer he should be working at Papa Murphy's pizza. Jobs though are SO tough to find right now as we have about a 25% unemployment rate in our area right now. He likely will never drive but they do have programs to teach special needs kids how to drive and evaluate them for safety, etc.

I know that some people like to avoid the public schools and public services but there are some really good programs out there that are free to these kids that can be very helpful.

[

My husband used to teach special ed for High Schoolers and he recalls this program for life skills. It is a great resource! Most kids are in the program 'til age 21. And there are IEP on file for transition to adulthood or halfway house for independence.

[Ottakee]

In our state it can go up to 26. My son got a call today that he might get the part time job at Papa Murphy's pizza. He would then work 2-3 days a week and go to school/job training the other days. He will get a job coach to help him learn the job, etc.

I know that not all special ed. programs are good but there can be some VERY good programs out there and they are mostly free or very low cost.