Getting The Job

Second day on the job

Who knew that a young, 20 year old woman with no college or special training could get my 19 year old, autistic son employed faster than a professional expert with college degrees and years of experience?

I am amazed and stumped that this is the reality for my son.  I have had several positive experiences with government agencies, but I've had just as many negative experiences. I find private enterprise wins again.

Here is an example:

Vocational Rehabilitation is a part of our state's department of economic security.  We have been working for two and half years with our local voc/rehab office to help Ryan get a job. Well, not even a job.  Just ideas for a job.  Our first goal was to acquire opportunities to job shadow.  The experts evaluated and questioned Ryan at length.  To no avail.  Unless you count that their conclusion was for Ryan to work at a facility that was obviously for lower functioning adults.  

I protested, but I agreed to visit this place.  I went alone.  I had an idea of what I was to encounter because I had done some research on the internet.  However, I still was not prepared for the reality.  This facility probably was a blessing to the disabled employees who worked there, to provide meaningful work and a sense of independence.  However, this was not an appropriate place for Ryan.

I was appalled that the "experts" confidently recommended this place to my son.  I put experts in quotes because Ryan's voc/rehab counselor used that word.  The exact phrase was, "We are experts who work with special needs adults to get them jobs."  

I responded, "You may be an expert with special needs and employment, but you are not an expert in my son.  I am."  I then added, "I thought we were a team."  The counselor agreed, but it didn't matter.  The job coach and the counselor were convinced that Ryan belonged at this facility.

My husband took Ryan to visit the facility.  The visit lasted less than ten minutes.  Ryan said that he didn't belong there because he wouldn't fit in.

I won't go into the history of just getting to this point of having a job coach through the counselor.   I really thought that the professionals could help steer Ryan in finding a career.  I was happy that doors would finally open for Ryan to explore.  My sources were limited in getting Ryan to observe and experience various jobs.  Anyone knows that first hand experience is the best way to learn.  That is acutely needed for young adults with autism.  We had hoped that Ryan would be able to job shadow several jobs, ask employees questions, and experience Corporate America at some level.

But no doors were opened for Ryan.  Not until this young lady approached me and asked if Ryan liked working with kids.  Ryan and I both told the voc/rehab counselor this fact early on, but that didn't yield any path.  So private enterprise found my son a job.  Correction:  my sons...

This experience illustrates that answers can lurk in the most unexpected places with the most inexperienced people.  An open mind and a willing spirit often provide the best opportunities.