Blog #103~Vocations for a Person with Special Needs
Some 20 years ago when my son was born with Down syndrome, I wondered what kind of job Nick could do when he became an adult. I found myself gravitating to the checkout lines with the baggers who had Down syndrome. Like a stalker I watched them work and interact with customers. I’d ask for a carry out so I could chat more and offer up a huge tip. I found a lot of hope in such moments.
Those dreams were crushed when autism ravaged my son’s mind and body. His speech would not come as it should have. His behaviors were strange with all the stimming and worst yet, they became unpredictable. Autism robbed his chance of being the best that he could have been with just Down syndrome.
Hope came back while Nick was in high school. In Blog #57~Community Jobs and Nick, I wrote about what jobs he held out in the community. The link is @https://nickspecialneeds.wordpress.com/2012/04/17/blog-3-getting-your-goat/
Nick working at Re-Store (Habitat for Humanity)…..
Nick takes a lot of pride in his work. Okay so, he might have pulled a fire alarm at his vacuuming job at a nursing home (woopsie).But for the most part he participated well in all his jobs.
Nick working at Tabor Hills 🙂 ………..
Fast forward to the present, Nick finished high school and attends a post-secondary transition program. In this program the students work in house on job skills, are employed in the community, and some take college classes. While Nick participates in production and vocational work in the school building, he no longer works out in the community. His unpredictable behavior, especially the fire alarm pulls (30 since third grade) put him at too much risk to hold a job. Reality has sunk in. 😦
I’m not going to lie. It’s a kick in the gut. The daunting task now is to come up with a plan. How will Nick occupy his days once the bus stops coming to the door (at age 22)? I reached out to some of his teachers from high school awhile back. (Originally I planned to make Blog #100 to be “100 Cool Things About Nick” That was way too ambitious and long.) But here are a few things they sent to me that fit nicely here:
From Mrs. Hunt (his primary teacher and case worker):
“Nick has great functional skills! I’ve seen him help with a variety of chores and complete personal care routines better than some typical teens! Nick is a hard worker and loves to vacuum. Nick has a hilarious sense of humor! His laugh and smile are contagious, even when he’s being a stinker- which makes behavior management even tougher. Nick is clever and perseveres. When he’s determined, he’s going to have his way. Elbow bumps- this is how I know who has a good relationship with Nick. His elbow bumps make a person feel awesome. I love that the last time I saw him, he still gave me one. I love that Nick is a typical young man at heart- burps and fart jokes so funny.”
Being silly with Ms. R, his aide in high school 🙂
His vocational teacher, Ms. Stoodley offered up some ideas for possible jobs for Nick:
- Dancer
- Happiness Creator
- Adult Education Educator (all of us that he has taught and made better)
- Vacuuming expert
- Fire alarm Coordinator
- Siren Director
- Professor of Dumping
- Screw Sorter Assistant
I am slowly digesting the fact that Nick may not be able to work in the community. We need to look at his strengths, then create a meaningful day for him where he is productive and happy. He is a “happiness creator” even in the midst of creating chaos. So yes, there is uncertainty regarding his future. We have 17 month to figure things out. Stay tuned……
That’s what is in my noggin’ this week,
~Teresa
Down Syndrome with a Slice of Autism 