Aspergers/ASD support thread

kabie

This may be of interest to you, (although I don't think he's old enough they should be able to offer sme advice?)
http://www.nas.org.uk/nas/jsp/polopoly.jsp?d=474
I still remember my work experience and it was pretty grim, but I got through it.
You find (or rather don't because they're "hidden") autistic people in all areas of employment. I know that the theory is that the work experience is more to do with the experience of work ie turning up and doing a job rather than what the job is but that's a pretty hard concept to understand for the person doing it. I hope your son finds something suitable that he can enjoy.
I noticed that the prospects that's just opened where I am isn't listed on the above link so maybe there may be something in your area even if it isn't listed?

TediousPhoenix

My brother has mild Asperger's Syndrome. He went to a special needs schools from the age of 3-and-a-half until he was about seven. I had already spent a year helping out at a special needs school once a week when I was in the sixth form because I wanted to give something back. I loved it.

So when my brother had to decide where he went for work experience he spent two weeks at a special needs school across the road from us (the one he went to, I helped out at and he did work experience at were all different schools). He absolutely loved it and formed bonds with some of the children and they really, really seemed to bond to him - they had both physical and learning disabilities.

He even whet back a few months later during one of his non-pupil days because he wanted to see how the children were doing. What more could you ask from an Asperger's boy!?!

I'm sure the teachers were sympathetic to my brother's needs and communication skills and some-what understood. And the children don't care either - just saw him as a lad to play football with, paint with...

He had much more fun than I had watching someone type on a computer for three weeks.


He is currently at university doing IT stuff so isn't in employment yet. Asperger's people tend to do well in IT - you don't have to be the out-going, communicating type, just good at the job.



I went to a school where about a quarter to a third of people went on to do medicine/veterinary or dentistry - all are very difficult to get into. All medics were strongly advised to do much additional work experience to aid their personal statement - the bit where you write about yourself on the application form. Helping in a care home for the elderly was one of many things many did at some point. During the sixth form some got to spend a few days on a hospital ward, some became auxiliary nurses and some even helped their parents who were themselves doctors or surgeons.

Coupon-mad

What about enquiring at your local British Red Cross Branch (should be in the phone book under 'British', not 'Red Cross' BTW, but don't ring their local Charity Shop by mistake, lol!).

A relative used to work there in disability service provision. They take on volunteers as well as employees, and have a strong diversity ethos. Other charities to contact may also spring to mind when you start thinking about all the other services connected to medicine/hospitals.

The BRC are involved in various services depending on the County you are in, but could possibly give your DS experience in First Aid courses, Rapid Response for emergencies and First Aid provision for events, Patient Transport, Patient advocacy, Wheelchair & Equipment hire, Skin Camouflage for birthmarks/burns, to name a few.

HTH, the school idea is a good one too, as in the above post. I would phone all these possible places if I were you rather than write, due to time constraints.

DebtphobicDeirdre

I just wanted to thank you all, this discussion has been very encouraging to me. My prayer is that my DS will be happy, feel useful and have meaningful relationships that make him happy. He has such a lot to cope with-

not good at sport despite the fact that he is obsessed with it

very poor achievements at school despite not having low IQ

not yet at puberty despite being 15 and being small

having lots of phobias and being seen as "sensitive"

being looked down on by his peers

You all are showing me that these things can be coped with

SallyUK

Morning TP and coupon-mad,

Thank you so much for your replies too, you've both given me another couple of ideas to try.

I really appreciate all of them.

Sal
x

Savvy_Sue

seven-day-weekend wrote: »

By the way OP, the people I know with AS are good people who are truthful, loyal and wouldn't do you a bad turn. NICE people. So don't you worry - there are plenty of people around who admire those qualities.

Actually, the friend who said "I'm one of those" would HATE to be described as 'nice' - he would say he doesn't do 'nice'.

But he does, as you say, do truthful (which isn't always 'nice' but I'd rather have that than be misled!), loyal, and never do you a bad turn.

Plus, if he says he'll do something, he does it. If he says he won't, you know where you stand. What he won't do is anything just because someone else thinks he should ...

Deirdre, I presume your son's been checked out medically re: the late onset of puberty? And with the sport, could he be encouraged into referee-ing / scoring? Maybe that wouldn't help, but it's worth a thought.

DebtphobicDeirdre

Thanks for your concern Sue. Unfortunately DS has a phobia of Doctors-mostly due to insensitive ones from the past who just expected him to immediately spill the beans about very private and sensitive stuff such as bedwetting and then were pretty useless at actually helping. Not that it was really their fault-dyspraxia,ADD(without the H) and possible semantic-pragmatic difficulties (which are the Aspergers-like bit) are all hard to help from a medical point of view.Thanks for your input though- its so nice to know that people care.

Savvy_Sue

Ooh, now that is a problem, isn't it? Any mileage in doing a bit of your own research (eg Pituitary Foundation) first, going to see a GP you find approachable, explaining the problem and seeing how far you can get that way? Might an approachable GP do a home visit, and would that help?

Ellie2758

My daughter has asperger's - she is now 19 and was diagnosed at age 4. Over the years we realised that my husband probably has it as well, but getting a GP to help him get a diagnosis has proved impossible. Well, ok we didnt force the issue but frankly we've had plenty of other stuff to deal with. If you DO go down the route of diagnosis PN be aware that if you are a driver you should report your diagnosis to the DVLA. This was one of the things that put us off to be honest.

Savvy_Sue

Ellie2758 wrote: »

If you DO go down the route of diagnosis PN be aware that if you are a driver you should report your diagnosis to the DVLA.

Why's that, Ellie? Genuinely curious ... don't remember the application form asking any question which caused DS1 to declare it, and it's not that long since I stood over DS2 while he applied for his provisional?

Not sure why AS would affect your driving - if anything it would have a beneficial effect because you'd probably concentrate better!