jaalka
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Posts posted by jaalka
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does anyone know about options for where to live other than with parents?i need a fair level of care to cope with everyday things, but living with my parents isn't ideal. they have two younger kids to cope with and it just isn't working out. now i'm out of university i really need to start looking at other options. so far i haven't been able to hold down a job as i become very anxious as soon as i'm tied to a particular location or duty, so there's no way i can afford to buy my own place, even if i could cope with living on my own. and as the product of a nice middle class family there's absolutely no way i can see to get a council house!
anyone got any ideas?
Hello NobbyNobbs....i've just read your question, with interest, as I have a 19yr old son with Aspbergers who is in the same situation as yourself. I wonder if you would reconsider the option of "council accommodation" as local authority housing isn't all "council houses in socially deprived areas". Some local authorities have properties (one bedroomed flats) with "assisted living/supported living". May I suggest that you phone your local authority housing department and make enquiries or ask someone to do it on your behalf.
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just an update on the Work Prep Course that the RBLI have set up for my 18yr old son with AS....Basically it has collapsed. J attended for the first two days of the first week, missed the third day saying it wasn't worth going. Complained that they were all mentally retarded and that he didn't feel comfortable and they were working at a really slow pace. By the first day of the second week he had left. He has since applied for two jobs from the job centre, been offered interviews for both (awaiting outcome) and has registered at an employment agency in London for temp to perm positions.
Hoping that something will come of THIS!
Jaalka.
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Hi jaalka, hope you had a good time, this thread has gone off into all kinds of highways & byways in your absence but its been interesting.Wishing J loads of good luck on his work prep course. Whats RBLI?
Hello Pearl. Thanks for the good luck wishes. RBLI= Royal British Legion Industries (www.rbli.co.uk "EMPLOYMENT SOLUTIONS), based at Aylesford in Maidstone. Wondering whether Mr P aware of such work prep courses for people on DLA/IB??? Not feeling too positive about it as when J and I visited to meet them, there was a noticeboard showing where other clients had been placed for work experience and it listed: Sainburys and a Sports Centre locally... not areas in which J wld even want to consider, especially as he's wanting to wrk in London. However I will do my utmost to motivate J in attending. Will keep you informed.
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hello all... have been away on annual hols .... great reading about your daughter, Pixie. It does give hope. And Pearl and Canopus, it was interesting reading your thoughts and views on psychometric testing. J is about to start a work prep course at the RBLI next week. It's been a distressing six months. I'm hoping there's light at the end of the tunnel. I appreciate all your comments. I will be in touch again with, hopefully, some positive news on the work prep course. Jaalka x]
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I shall ask him, jaalka. As for the english gcse, JP got a D which again is less than ideal, but at college did key skills communications level 2 which raised his grade to a C. We had no idea this was possible so was a nice surprise.J has the details from Learn Direct for the key skills level 2 but is not interested in persuing this, despite realising it would be in his interest. I will endeavour to encourage.
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An electronic engineering apprenticeship is being offered by a certain university. I will PM the details if you are interested.That would be appreciated.Thanks.
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I have just asked for the forms, after phoning about 30 times too get through
We are hoping to get a computer, multi sensory equiment and money for riding lessons. Does the child have to be on High rate care? My daughter is, but my son is on middle rate. Does anyone know a similar fund that helps disabled adults? I am on high rate for both care and mobility and hubby had to take very early retirement to help with the family care needs. Been a shock to the system losing a regular wage
Keep smilin
Elly
Hello Elly. Thought this might be helpful to you... Once my son reached 16 he was no longer eligible for help from Family Fund Trust but I was put in touch with Contact-a-Family phone: 0808 808 3555. If you ask for details of charities who will help over 16's who have a disability, they will send you a long list of charities. I was sent these but have since mislaid them. It's definitely worth thinking about doing. Good Luck.
Jaalka.
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Sorry to bang on about apprenticeships jaalka (its kind of where we're at at the mo) dovetails with what Canopus is saying though, your lad could do an IT apprenticeship. JP went for one but didnt get it, then got a business admin one instead & he's hoping to segue into IT work from it. What attracts us is theres plenty of supervision, they recognise that many apprentices are quite young & need shepherding, which is ideal for someone on the spectrum.Please don't apologise Pearl! Any advice is much appreciated. Apprenticeships have not been thought of previously but, as mentioned to Canopus, J's now been referred to the RBLI and an apprenticeship is an area that will be mentioned. Start date is end of August for the work prep programme. Wondering if Mr Pearl is aware of this Government run scheme with the DEA?
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I'm wondering if that English GCSE grade could hinder him. If it does then I suggest taking an English Language IGCSE. This is all examination with no coursework, and no heavyweight literature.
Learn Direct has offered an english GCSE equivalent but J has yet to take it up. Still pursuing this area. Have been referred to RBLI (Royal British Legion Industries) via DEA who have 9/52 work prep scheme including work experience with 'forward thinking' employers. Sounds promising. Thanks for your advice Canopus.
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This was one of the reasons why Asperger Technical was established. So far there have been people with AS contacting the organisation from as far afield as Canada and Norway asking for advice. The traffic statistics include people from Estonia, New Zealand, Italy, and Turkey. Unfortunately no industrial partners have been found yet but it's only early days. I think once a few organisations come forward it will trigger a chain reaction.These are not the career choices you would expect to find someone with AS interested in.
I have realised that the areas my son is looking at are areas in which involve a great deal of social interaction and this is a difficult area for him. What areas of employment would you suggest he looks to? He is gadget minded with a technical interest. IT was he forte at school (GCSE one point below an A!) with Science Maths and Media GCSE B. English his weakest subject at an E.
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Hi jaalka,This is something which concerns me too as the parent of an 18 year old who is still working towards GCSE level qualifications. She has many talents and interests and I think will find it hard to settle on one thing and apply herself to it for a long period of time.
We're looking around for opportunities which will give her some kind of work experience. At her own request, the college have arranged for her to get some work experience in a school library, but that won't start till next year. She keeps changing her mind about what she wants to do in the long term. Whatever she does she will need a lot of support, not just because of AS but physical difficulties which mean that she tires easily and it's unlikely that she'd be able to do a full week's work or study - at the moment anyway. People will need to make allowances for this and understand that she is not just being lazy. I think some kind of voluntary work would be a good way for her to find out what she's capable of.
We've found the Connexions advisor and college tutor very helpful - so, as pearl said, the Connexions service might be a useful starting point.
K x
Hi again Kathryn. There seems to be a huge void in the expertise of organisations who have indepth knowledge of AS. My son is currently with the Disability Employment Adviser at the Job Centre who has referred him to the Work Psychologist who then referred him to the Royal British Legion Industry ...and is awaiting an appointment.
I'm in the process of enquiring with the RBLI as to what level of expertise they have of AS and Aspbergs in particular, although they hv already confirmed they do not have indepth understanding of individual disorders, just a general understanding. Prospects in London seemed the ideal place as the're level of knowledge on AS is high but my son is not eligible as he lives just on the boundary of Kent/London.
The WPsy basically asked him: Have you thought about what you'd like to do? He replied: Be a Police Officer. That was it. The WPsy immediately referred him back to the DEA with a recommendation that he be referred on the RBLI. My son omitted to tell the WPsy that he also "wouldn't mind being ... cabin crew attendant..car insurance salesman...air traffic controller"...and a host others. As a professional WPsy,I thought that she may have pressed him further with questions on what/where he'd like to work??? Perhaps that may have rang alarm bells and and she may hv carried out some form of pychometric testing to ascertain just where his strengths/weaknesses were!
I find it frustrating to say the least. I will certainly keep an open mind with the RBLI and will let you know how he gets on.
In your daughter's case, I do feel that voluntary work is a sensible option but only if the person in question is not money oriented! My son wouldn't even contemplate working for nothing!
J.
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Hello jaalka & welcome to the forum.My son JP secured an apprenticeship a few months ago - he doesnt start till August so early days yet but so far the signs are good, we feel the close supervision & further study is an ideal transition from college to the world of work. And the induction pack we have just received makes it clear that they want to work in partnership with parents, which is a huge relief to us.
There are all sorts of apprenticeships from all sorts of providers - Connexions might be a good place to start if you think it might suit your lad.
Good luck.
Thank you Pearl. Have not been impressed with Connexions so far - it could well have been that we were just unlucky with that particular member of staff. I may well revisit them.
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I think a police officer is one of the worst careers for somebody with AS.The police force employ thousands of people in support roles who usually work in an office environment. Many of these should be suitable for people with AS. Vacancies are advertised on the websites of individual forces. There is also the possibility of forensics but high level qualifications are required.
Thank you for your reply. I read with interest your Asperger Technical site. I'm hoping that my son will realise his forte within the technical/gadget area and look within this for employment, rather than the police. It is more the controlling aspect of the police he is interested in than the community aspect. I will refer to your site. If you can suggest anything I would be grateful.
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Hello there.
As a new member, I am hoping to be able to share ideas with parents or others who have experienced the difficulties in securing suitable employment for their off-spring with Asperger's Syndrome. I have an 18 yr old who's ambition is to be a Police Officer in the Met. He has already had difficulty in sustaining long-term employment in the retail trade and I have concerns that a profession as a Police Officer may be unsustainable. I am hoping that within the police force there may well be a niche where he will fit in. I would be grateful for any ideas anyone may have.
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anyone have any ideas on what areas of employment could be suggested for an 18yr old ?his hobbies include anything related to technical gadgets, of which he is a huge fan, but i have concerns of his ambition of becoming a police officer where he lacks certain social skills/team player skills.
18+ moving out of home
in Beyond Adolescence
Posted · Edited by jaalka · Report reply
My 19 year old son is wanting/needing to move from Kent to London to live independently. Enquiries with the Benefit Enquiry Line has confirmed that he is eligible for housing benefit from the local authority (he's in receipt of IB/IS and DLA middle rate care, lower rate mobility) with an extra allowance to allow him to rent privately self-contained accommodation. The housing benefit can only be applied for once he is living in his accommodation. The problem he is faced with is "how does he get together the deposit/month's rent in advance"?(possibly totally �1k) There isn't the option of bank loans or parental assistance.
Is there anyone who could shed light on this dilemma? Is there any financial assistance available from the state or charities?
I would be grateful for any help and advice.