Got any good career suggestions for an autistic boy ?

[fastfredracing]

Little **** just turned 15 last week. He is high functioning autistic. He has no real hobbies in the world, except for gaming and guitar .
Over the years, I have tried to show him everything I know . He does not really seem interested in working in general all that much, but I have seen some sparks when he was helping me cut wood, and doing some simple construction work . , and concrete last summer . I could tell he was proud of what he accomplished at the end of the day . I always make him work at the rentals when we are in that mode. He hates it , but he is learning .
He is not going to college. Just not happening . Like his Dad, he is not cut out for it . So I have to give him a little help . I am basically going to shove him to go learn a trade. I have been plying him to see what he may have some interest in, but like any teenage boy, I get no answers, so I guess, it is my job to take notice of the areas where he is strong in, and give him a little push .
Of course, he hates the idea, but having a good skill to fall back on later in life, is never bad. Even if it is manual labor . My buddy is a union electrician . He makes bank to basically , change light bulbs at the hospital . Easy clean work .
With the way the world is, it seems like any guy with a skill, who is willing to get up every day and work at it , can make a good living .
Unfortunately , he has zero interest in the auto world. Funny that auto mechanics are on the lists online, that autistic people excel at .
Any of you been down this road ?

[LWJ]

Several.

My eldest is on the spectrum. She took a course in sterile processing and got certified just before the COVID craziness. It is a job in demand and has repeatable routine. Limited social interaction. 24 hour demand, which works well for my kid. And, pay can be pretty good. We have a friend in this industry that has a union gig. They have 7 weeks of vacation now!

My kid doesn't have a job as all the hospitals have had a hiring freeze for the last year.

Another. Video game tester.

Different topic. See if your son can get any support for develmentsl disabilities. We do, and this comes with a job developer and personal agent. We have not used any of this but we are trying to put a life of independence together for our child. Simply, I need to know my kid will be ok before I die.

Reach out if you want to chat. My wife is pretty conversant in this stuff now.

Best to you and your son.

[1990C4S]

I have nothing to offer other than my best wishes. My friend has the same situation, there are no easy solutions.

[fastfredracing]

He will probably get some sort of assistance , but Id rather not depend on that . Id love for this guy to find his way , and flourish.
I love seeing that feeling of satisfaction when he accomplishes something difficult . I know personally , my success in life, have always lifted me up, gave me self worth, and made me want to try harder .

[Ayles]

I would second the videogame tester role. Can be repetative but game studios can be a pretty fun place to work.

[craigster59]

Have you looked into Mike Rowe's foundation? They offer help and scholarships for technical trades if that is something your son might be into.

https://www.mikeroweworks.org/

The other avenue you should check out is I.T. Security. My son has some community college training but mostly self taught and also taking advantage of certifications through his employers. He gets 7-10 job offers per week, but likes where he works now.

He has his "ethical hacking" and Microsoft certifications which seem to keep him pretty much in demand. Good luck!

[PorscheGAL]

He's 15. I would say a lot of parents of 15 year olds would describe them much in the way you have your son. Be patient. I think you keep exposing him to things and something may stick.

[sugarwood]

He is 15. Keep exposing him to things. No pressure to pick a career just yet.

[devodave]

My son (he passed away in September, he would be 22 today) was on the spectrum as well. Smart as hell, but no desire to interact with others and preferred to spend his time on the computer, primarily gaming, but tended to be ones that were not team based. Tough call, he wanted to be a mechanical engineer, but could not handle going to college for the degree that was required. The local community college has programs in engineering, machine tool operation, welding, etc. but again, I think the required classroom structure was terrifying for him.

I think you are on the right track with finding that something that your son is passionate about and letting him run with it. My son and I had kicked around the idea of opening a small machine shop after I retire, primarily as a means to justify my growing collection of machinery. He was excited about that prospect, but was frustrated with me for not moving as fast as he thought it should have been. Lastly, if your son is like mine, he may not be as mature as his peers, so a structured time table may be too daunting for him as well. There should be no rush for him to complete something other than his own desire to see it through. Even he he only takes one class at a time, he would be working, making progress, and perhaps maturing in his ability to interact with others socially as well (If he already interacts socially with others, that's great!). I wish him (and you) lots of luck! It believe it is very doable.

[Pedro '84 Coupe]

There was an article a few months back in Panorama about a young man with autism who has gotten into photography. He sets up scenes with toy cars that look pretty realistic. Not sure if it could be made into a career but it could pique his interest in art or design. Here's a link: https://www.pca.org/news/2020-12-15/speedlines-and-back-story-anthony-schmidt-photography

[unclebilly]

The best partsman I know is autistic. I recognize that this trade is going the way of Blockbuster and Kodak but it could be a fit.

Another thing is stock trader. These decisions need to be emotionless and depending where on the spectrum your boy site, this could be an amazing fit.

[Seahawk]

Originally Posted by LWJ

Another. Video game tester.

One of my son's friends, not on the spectrum, leads a group in video game testing. They do indeed hire people on the spectrum to test and he says they work very well if given the proper structure to flourish.

Lot's of remote work.

Originally Posted by PorscheGAL

He's 15. I would say a lot of parents of 15 year olds would describe them much in the way you have your son. Be patient. I think you keep exposing him to things and something may stick.

I agree.

My son always got excellent grades and lettered in track all four years in HS but he was a bit (ok, more than a bit) of knucklehead at 15.

I'd get concerned in a year or so.

Best FF.

[Bob Kontak]

Originally Posted by fastfredracing

He does not really seem interested in working in general all that much, but I have seen some sparks when he was helping me cut wood, and doing some simple construction work . , and concrete last summer . I could tell he was proud of what he accomplished at the end of the day .

That's a good sign.

Having ADD and a son with ADHD, I can at least appreciate what you are experiencing. Different condition but many of the same symptoms as autism.

I say something in IT as mentioned. More than one here has spoken of IT security as a wise choice. Guessing lots of smaller entities would not require a four year degree to get in the door? Maybe a certification program with help desk as a start?

[1990C4S]

Originally Posted by PorscheGAL

He's 15. I would say a lot of parents of 15 year olds would describe them much in the way you have your son. Be patient. I think you keep exposing him to things and something may stick.

I know LOTS of 'kids' who are 25 and still wondering about what career is best for them...be patient but guide him along.

[rfuerst911sc]

Are there any local organization's that specializes in autism ? They might be a good resource for knowledge/expertise on available programs . You might be surprised what is available . Trying to get ANY teen motivated/involved can be like herding cats 😁 . Take advantage of any expertise that may be available in your area . Good for you to look out for your son . Good luck

[Groesbeck Hurricane]

Just my $.02

Many trades are very well suited. Electrician, plumbing, welding (if he grasps the safety portions well), mechanics, woodworking/cabinetry, stonework. Cousin does specialized welding making custom gates, fences, and other items in californy.

If your Son grasps the mathematical concepts then accounting (actuarial or forensic), stock trading, time and motion studies.

Does he do well mapping shapes? There are areas of art and film that may be a fit?

He is lucky to have you around!

[steveo12345]

I have a friend with an autistic child. He showed some interest in art and turned out to be a pretty good painter. It's really difficult to make a living at it though. He still lives at home but he is clearly passionate about his art.

[berettafan]

With the move to telecommuting i hope we'll see more jobs become available to autistic people.

David i'm sorry for your loss.

[fastfredracing]

Yes David, really sorry about your son. Heartbreaking . I had no idea . Been there .
Thanks for all the replies .
The thing is, they are starting to talk about it at his school . He would have started this year, except for covid.
I sort of hope he tries a bunch of things, and finds his spot . There is a place for all of us .
He has failed at a lot things as a young kid, and I think he is gun shy to try new stuff sometimes . I will never stop trying .
You should see the fights we have when I try to make him help me work , but it always works out in the end

[Bob Kontak]

Originally Posted by fastfredracing

Yes David, really sorry about your son.

Tough day for him. My sympathies.