Parents of toddlers and adolescents may not be thinking about the next step on this developmental roller coaster called autism. It is a career in and of itself to find placement for children who are learning every skill from speech to social appropriateness.
The question is, what happens when children do make progress and are still different, or a bit quirky? The bottom line is that they are entitled to a future, as everyone else.
It is important to register your child with the Bureau of Rehabilitative Services. This process should begin during a high school age time frame. Your child will be assigned a counselor. Be an advocate. Ask questions, and if you do not receive a response, continue to pursue one.
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Our Story I urge parents to start the Bureau of Rehab process as soon as possible. It is a segue into the system. We were so lucky to meet a counselor named Carly. She was particularly kind to Paul, and the combined efforts of her interest and Paul's motivation created a winning scenario. Carly applied for a summer Youth Works Program for Paul. I had no idea what it meant or if he was eligible. We signed the forms and had no response for 6 weeks. One day a letter arrived requesting an interview. We arrived without the proper paperwork and were compelled to return the next day. We waited another few weeks. I relegated Paul to searching for volunteer work. Then one day he received a letter indicating that he had been accepted into the program and would begin training and receive an hourly wage to "earn and learn". The opportunity for our son was huge. He qualified for a data entry position at Norwalk Community College in Norwalk,Connecticut. It was a brilliant placement and mutually beneficial for all. David Chase, the director of Extended Studies & Workforce Education welcomed Paul without question. David simply took a chance, based on keen instinct and sense of fairness. His generosity of spirit is a gift that is an exemplar for employers to follow. What is most stunning to me is that the general conception of autism cannot be translated in a global public understanding. The staff was not certain as to what autism was and how Paul would react to them. The most thrilling moment for me was when an administrator's eyes filled when describing how Paul brightened everyone's days. His final week culminated in a celebration with gifts and a cake for his birthday. There was genuine camaraderie and fondness for our son, who started the summer with nothing. The Workplace, supported by a special grant funded this opportunity for several hundred young adults in Connecticut. It provided an opportunity for at risk youth, including those with disabilities This initiative should foster a role model for subsequent states to follow. Advancing Futures for Adults with Autism is a group pursuing initiatives for our children. Autism Speaks has highlighted success stories and testimonials. Advocacy and tenacity are partners in this arena.
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