pearl Report post Posted March 15, 2007 He's applied for an IT apprenticeship at our local university (where I also work) he did his work experience there 2 years ago as IT technician & loved it so much he didnt want to leave. So next week he has an assessment, if he passes that he goes on to interview but the impression I get is that the interview is just to discuss his placement not something he also has to pass. I'm arranging for him to have extra time to complete the assessment (he gets 25% extra for exams) & possibly his support assistant to accompany him. He's worried about standing out as different but needs all the help he can get. Hes very bright but very slow! I've found the tests he has to do online so we're busy mugging up on them, if he doesnt get this job it wont be for want of trying. He has to dress formally so got him suited & booted at Debenhams for �38 (thank the lord for blue x sales) So next wednesday morning, 8:45 onwards send lots of positive vibes his way please - I'll keep you posted. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
bid Report post Posted March 15, 2007 Will keep everything crossed, Pearl! Bid Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Bambi Report post Posted March 16, 2007 Wishing him all the best and crossing everything for him Bambi x Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Flora Report post Posted March 16, 2007 Fingers and toes crossed.... Good luck and best wishes Flora Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
bikergal Report post Posted March 16, 2007 Keeping everything crossed! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
dolly Report post Posted March 16, 2007 All the best hope everything goes well Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ellisisamazing Report post Posted March 16, 2007 All the best hope everything goes well Brill Pearl!! Lots of luck and love to JP!! Will be thinking of him!! See you over in C4!!! Lisa xxx Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
curra Report post Posted March 16, 2007 All the best!! Keeping everything crossed for him!! C. XX Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
LittleRae Report post Posted March 16, 2007 Hope everything goes well for him. It would be fab to get something he's interested in. Everything crossed here for him! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
marshmallow Report post Posted March 16, 2007 Good luck to him, I hope it goes well! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
hev Report post Posted March 16, 2007 fantastic news pearl <'> <'> <'> Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Clare63 Report post Posted March 16, 2007 Sending you loads of positive vibes and crossing all I have. Wishing you son the very best of luck. Clare x <'> <'> <'> Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Paula Report post Posted March 16, 2007 GOOD LUCK Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
pearl Report post Posted March 16, 2007 Thanks for all the luck & love coming our way However it seems to be going pear shaped already. Just spent the entire day on the phone trying to sort out some help for J, the college doing the assessment were singularly unhelpful. When I asked for 25% extra time I was told, no can do, its on a computer & you cant alter the time. So I said, well can his results be adjusted accordingly? No can do, they are marked electronically I pointed out that if he was in a wheelchair they would be providing a ramp & that the tests seemed inherently discriminatory for someone with processing problems but they just fobbed me off. I've now got his own college involved, they have talked to Connexions who run these tests, & they say that extra time is "built in" to the programme so he should be fine. Hmm, scuse my cynicism but I'd like to know how much. I'm ringing the Connexions guy on monday to talk to him. What gets me is, we are not asking for him to be given an unfair advantage, all we are asking is that adjustments are made so he has the same chance as everyone else. He's clearly good enough to do the job else why test him, but the tests seem designed to make him fail He knows nothing about all this furore & would be mortified to know I have been making a fuss, I have just told him that extra time is built in so he should be fine. Only good thing is that he wont feel any different from the others which he's sensitive about. We are practising like mad on the tests between now & wed which should increase his speed. I rang work today & said, I'm claiming special leave on wednesday so I can be there for him. (You are allowed to do this if you have a disabled child under 18) I've only ever used it once before. He looks heart breakingly young & vulnerable in his smart new suit, oh I hope he'll be ok Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
David Matthew Baker Report post Posted March 16, 2007 Hope things go well for both of you. Good luck. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
dooday24 Report post Posted March 16, 2007 hope all goes well goodluck both of you keeping everything crossed 4 u both love donnaxxxxx Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Kathryn Report post Posted March 17, 2007 I hope it goes well, pearl. K x Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
pearl Report post Posted March 19, 2007 Ok its monday, heres the latest Spent most of day on phone (at work) trying to sort out help for assessment. The twonk at the college lied to me. Connexions confirmed that he was allowed a reader for the non timed stuff & a separate room. Called twonkman back & told him this. He put his hand over the phone & said to his colleage "I've got a forceful mother here" I really really wanted to tell him it was 17 years of dealing with ***heads like him that has honed that trait but discretion the better part of valour. He has agreed to the reader, lovely Dave is doing the job, & he's to be in the quietest part of the room as the pooters are networked so he cant be separate. So, partial success but I'm furious I've had to fight for what should be his right, & worried it will go against him. But whaddya goina do? He's practised & practised the tests, we cant do any more for him. This is so potentiall life changing it scares me - once he's successfully employed as an apprentice its the uni's policy to provide them with a permanent job at the end of it. With only 12% (is it) of autistic people in full employment you can see why we want this so much. & all the time J knows nothing of whats going on behind the scenes & we're just saying, do your best etc.... I've aged 10 years this week & cant wait for wednesday to be over. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
butterfingersbimbo Report post Posted March 20, 2007 aw chic what a nightmare you are having trying to sort it out for him!!! am sending you a really big hug and loads of positive vibes, you have done your best, i hope that it goes well tomoro! well done for not ripping that bloke's head off i think i wouldnt have been so discreet.... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
pearl Report post Posted March 20, 2007 Awwww thanks BFB, I couldnt say what I really felt as it might have gone against J but I shall be making a complaint afterwards, if only to prevent someone else being treated like this. Its been a shock as J's college is so forward thinking, this is a completely different college & its like going back 10 years. I've now finished work for the week, have special leave tomorrow so I can be there for him, so all I can do now is bite my nails & feel sick I'll post here as soon as theres any news Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
David Matthew Baker Report post Posted March 20, 2007 (edited) Once again best of luck hope it goes well for you both. I hope they are more receptive in person than they seem to have been towards you on the phone. (EDIT: I wish there was a four leaf clover or something we could add for wishing people luck. Perhaps something like this: http://www.luckom.com/img/4-good-luck.gif) Heres an image for you: http://www.crystal-reflections.com/greeting/luck.gif Edited March 20, 2007 by David Matthew Baker Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
pearl Report post Posted March 21, 2007 Thanks David, you're a sweetie. He's doing the test as we write & hopefully we've had all our bad luck for one day. Mr pearl defrosted the car for me this morning .... and went to work with the keys in his pocket My mouth went dry & my legs went to jelly. I could have killed him. Ransacked the house & found the spare set, prayed battery not dead, worked fine. Sat here like I'll post as soon as I hear, probably start a fresh one. Thanks again xx Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
marshmallow Report post Posted March 21, 2007 Thinking of J (and you!) Hope it goes well! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
pearl Report post Posted March 21, 2007 Thanks Marshmallow. Just had a txt from his ESW to say tests over, lunch now then results & feedback Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
hev Report post Posted March 21, 2007 im waiting for the results,let us know as soon as poss <'> <'> Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Flora Report post Posted March 21, 2007 Hoping.... Makes it worse when you have so much hope pinned on it... Flora X Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
aawmum Report post Posted March 21, 2007 Best wishes. <'> Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
pearl Report post Posted March 21, 2007 im waiting for the results,let us know as soon as poss <'> <'> Thanks Hev - hows things with you, saw your post Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
pearl Report post Posted March 21, 2007 WOOOOOHOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! *Streaks nekkid thru forum in celebration* He was ONLY the highest scorer in the test today!!!!!!!!! I'm so proud I could burst. He now goes forward to the next stage, which is shortlisting. I'd be quite surprised if he didnt get an interview. I thought he'd know today but I think this college needs lessons in communication skills Either way, he's on the apprenticeship programme now, so if he doesnt get shortlisted for this one he'll be put forward for others. The GeneSys Assessment lasts for 12 months so if he goes for an apprenticeship from a different provider he wont have to take it again. My lovely lovely boy took it all in his stride. All he needs in life is a decent chance to prove himself & it looks like for once he's been given a break. Thankyou for all your support, I think I shall get ver ver drunk now Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
bid Report post Posted March 21, 2007 Oh wow!! What absolutely fantastic news!! Well done that lad, and well done Pearl! <'> Bid Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
pearl Report post Posted March 21, 2007 Thanks Bid A team effort - mother from hell, clever lad & fantastic Dave the ESW We're unstoppable at the moment! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
marshmallow Report post Posted March 21, 2007 Well done J and well done you! enjoy your evening Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
KarenT Report post Posted March 21, 2007 What a boy! No wonder you're proud, he's done extremely well. A huge pat on the back from me to both of you. Karen x Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
LittleRae Report post Posted March 21, 2007 Well done to you both! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
annie Report post Posted March 21, 2007 I am so so so so pleased for your both . Annie xx <'> Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Noetic Report post Posted March 21, 2007 Fingers crossed, sounds like a good opportunity! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
pearl Report post Posted March 21, 2007 Thanks all, I stopped after 3 drinks so still coherent Been so strung up this week I'm just like a jelly now J is taking a well earned break & watching Lemur Island followed by Seaside Rescue, tv heaven for him NOW just have to keep everything crossed he actually gets the job...... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
stressedmumto2 Report post Posted March 21, 2007 Well done to your son that is fantastic news, way to gooooooo Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
David Matthew Baker Report post Posted March 21, 2007 Congratulations. Glad to hear it went so well. You both deserve it. Not lets hope the next stage goes as well. It shows the time you both put in paid off though. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ellisisamazing Report post Posted March 21, 2007 Thanks all, I stopped after 3 drinks so still coherent Been so strung up this week I'm just like a jelly now J is taking a well earned break & watching Lemur Island followed by Seaside Rescue, tv heaven for him NOW just have to keep everything crossed he actually gets the job...... Yaaaaaaaaaaaaaaayyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy!!!!!!!!! Excellent P!! Give JP a big high five from me and Ellis!! Three drinks? Is that all? I at least want to see a repeat performance of THE FIFTEENTH OF DECEMBER 2006!!! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites