The Job: Is This My Son Ryan?

Ryan guiding a new student

Last week Ryan moved up from intern to employee. What a change in him!!

When Ryan started these photo shop classes last year, he needed time to absorb the environment, people, schedule, let alone the content--typical of any young adult with autism.  I had hoped, that given time, Ryan would become comfortable and adapt.  What has occurred is beyond any expectation. 

When Ryan Johnson first came to RMG Imaging Artists, he spoke little and kept himself isolated from others, preferring to spend his breaks and conversational efforts completely immersed in the world of the novels he writes on his laptop. However, something happened over the past year; something akin to the astonishing metamorphosis of a caterpillar into a butterfly. Conversation has become a normal part of Ryan's day, smiles spread across his face regularly, and he exhibits great pride in the work he performs. He has applied himself to achieve, and in so doing, he has earned a sense of accomplishment, self-assurance, and position of respect among his peers. Ryan now talks to staff and his fellow artists with confidence—an extraordinary and heartwarming transformation! 

-Denise Gary, RMG Imaging Artists LLC

This is beyond any hope I've had.  My eyes get misty...

Photo Credit:  RMG Imaging Artists 

Ryan Has A Job (but he didn't tell us)

This conversation is quite indicative of Ryan.  He likes to keep to himself, or as we call it, he likes to stay in his world.  The owner of the photo shop classes and I have had several, small conversations on the side.  In this case, I knew a job for Ryan was very likely, but I didn't know when.  It is imperative that parents of autistic adults stay in close contact with people who are around their young, autistic adult.

Wednesday evening:

Ryan

Mom:  How was class?
Ryan;  Fine.

Mom waits for elaboration, but knows none will come.

Thursday morning:

Mom:  How was class?
Ryan:  You asked me that yesterday.
Mom:  Yes, but all you said was fine. So how was class?
Ryan:  Fine.
Mom:  Did you do as well as you did last time?
Ryan:  Yes.
Mom:  Did they say anything about getting hired officially?
Ryan:  Yes.
Mom:  So??

Ryan says nothing.

Mom:  So you have a job?
Ryan:  Yes.

Mom's eyes widen, and Dad turns around to face Ryan.

Dad:  Why didn't you say this yesterday?
Ryan:  Um.
Mom:  Now you see why I asked you again?  You didn't tell us this. This is great news!
Dad:  Yeah, this is a big deal.
Ryan:  Yeah (trying not to smile).
Mom:  SMILE.
Ryan:  Ok (with a silly grin).

We went out to dinner to celebrate to illustrate that it is important to share news with us.  How else could we mark the occasion??

 

No Job? No College? Why?

Ryan assisting new student

School is back in session for my youngest three boys. The younger two are in high school, and Ryan is going to which college?  He isn't sure how to answer. Then they ask, "Well, where do you work?" Awkward silence follows.

In the typical world, a person graduates from high school, and then he attends college or gets a job. Friends and family are curious and wish to share in what's going on, and they ask, "What college...?" In the life of an adult with autism, that can be a frustrating conversation.

Why?  The set expectation does not apply to the autistic world.

I have listened to these conversations from a distance. Ryan usually does muster enough information to answer questions.  Nonetheless, the other person is still perplexed because Ryan isn't following the "expected" format. He's not going to college.  He's not working.  However, he's on the road to both.

We have developed a description of what Ryan's status is.  Ryan attends a private trade school.  He is learning skills to be an imaging artist.  Currently, he is interning to assist new students.  This can lead to a paid position as a PIT (photoshop imaging tech) crew member.

Life is hard enough when it doesn't fit into a preconceived idea.  It's even more difficult to try to explain the "what I'm doing" let alone the "why I'm doing" this.  Now add the lack of communication that is symptomatic of autism.  Double whammy!  Yet, Ryan perseveres!

Photo credit: RMG Imaging Artists