AUTISM: How Will My Child Ever Get A Job?
Well, this can be easier than most parent realise. Let's start by giving our child tasks when they are young and then rewarding them when they do it.
7 years old: Cleaning a bedroom, making sure the bookshelves are tidy… ($5/week).
12 years old: Vacuuming the house, washing the car… ($12/week + heaps of bonus tech-time).
15 years old: Lawnmowing the neighbours’ lawn or washing your best friend's car or doing basic housework for them. ($30 + a sense of personal achievement).
18 years old: Running their own ebay store – Feeling successful because Mum and child go to garage sales on Saturday, then mum helps her child list stuff on the eBay on Sunday.
21 years old: Designing graphics as a freelancer.
Tweak these to suit your child. It’s just a matter of working out what is achievable for your child.
Small steps turned into a routine that happens regularly leads to confidence and more skills.
Also, if it’s helpful, we run a “Job Skills” course. It’s here: www.amazingskills.com.au/employment-skills
Good luck with your day. You can do this.
Michael Clark (Course leader for children & teens with Autism)
