Autism & Careers

   
    I know my son with autism, Caleb, is only 9 years old and he doesn't need to find his life's calling anytime soon, but as a parent (in general) you hope that your kids can grow up and find work, and  even more, work that is fulfilling. But for a child with autism (or any special need), the question of "what will he be when he grows up" is a little more looming. The statistics on adults with autism being un-employed is higher than the regular disabled un-employment rate.    
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Caleb getting to know our bird, Sunny

   
   I honestly believe that anyone (typical or special needs) can find a job that they might be well suited for by examining what that person naturally goes to. This isn't always the case obviously, but for a child with special needs, it could be a good indication of what they might be good at because they are already interested in it. The trick (I think) is to find out what their strengths and weaknesses are, and base a potential job on these facts.
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Wouldn't you love to see this enthusiastic face handing you food at a drive-thru window!

   For Caleb, some jobs we have joked about that he could have, based on what he currently is into/good at are:

• Toy durability tester: Aka-he can break a toy faster than anyone!
• Barista at a coffee shop: he is usually in the back of the van shouting out my order for coffee at the drive threw. And if I set my coffee down at home, he will bring it to me and say, "here's your coffee, have a good day!"
• Fast food worker (specifically "Fast Eddies"): he LOVES their pickle fries, and talks endlessly about "Fast Eddies has hamburgers, Fast Eddies has chicken burgers! Large pickle fry from Fast Eddies...." Fast Eddie is a member of our family!
• News reporter: we generally leave the radio on in the kitchen during the day, and every time he hears the music that intros the news, he runs to the radio and turns it up. He even does his own mumbly, no real words report, and ends it with, "From the Canadian Press, this is Caleb Van Londersele" 
• Animal researcher: Caleb has been obsessed about these animals since January-lemers, owls, flamingos, ducks, & swans.
• Chicken catcher: for real, he is good at this! 
• And (this may offend some, though it's not intended to) a Priest: Caleb loves the prayers he learns at school, he loves the structure of a traditional Catholic Mass, and confession is ideal for a person on the spectrum as they get to sit without having to look at the other person. He could also be very single minded in the pursuit of knowing God, and following him (using an obsession for some good).

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I think I've used this photo before, but it just cracks me up every time.

   Obviously we haven't found anything that really suits Caleb that could lead to a proper career. I would honestly be happy with any job he had, as long as it was something that was using his gifts, and he found satisfying.
 
   As he gets older we will continue to prepare him for working by helping him learn to work as a team, follow instructions, having a good attitude, being honest, being organized, using his communication skills (be it verbal, written, typed, etc.), and being flexible. We will teach him the value of hard work, and of being willing to work.  Autism could keep Caleb from getting a job, but I really don't think it needs to. He is a sweet, bright, and eager kid, and if he maintains those traits, I think any employer would be happy to have him!   
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