Applying for jobs as an autistic young person- Lived experience blog
Applying for a job role can be difficult due to company policies and whether they have the correct understanding of neurodivergent conditions, including my support needs. The long process of waiting to hear back from them, whether I got the interview or not, what sort of questions they may ask and whether I have the experience to answer the questions for the role can be challenging.
My experience of the workplace
In my early twenties, my first job was a support worker supporting adults with additional needs. I had a lot of support with the different tasks I was given, and the staff understood my needs and how to support me.
Then I had another job as an apprentice as an early years practitioner, the staff didn’t fully understand what sort of support I needed, and they didn’t support me the way I needed to succeed in my apprenticeship.
In my current role as a support worker supporting young people with additional needs, I have so much support and they allow me to ask questions if I have any. They understand if we go out to different places that sometimes I am unable to go due to the anxiety of going to a new place and they allow me to decide whether I can do it or not without pushing me to do something I know will cause me to be too anxious or burnout. With my current job I have gained so much confidence in my role. I am also looking for a second job with the support of a job coach.
My advice for parents and carers supporting their young person to enter the workplace
My practical advice is to look at the company and see if they have the correct policies on how they support people with additional needs and always check if they have the disability friendly symbol on their website, as this will tell you that they are willing to support your young person in their setting.
Ask for a job coach who specialises in supporting autistic people, as they can help your young person to improve their CV, practice job interview questions and they can contact the company and see if they are disability friendly.
Ask your young person what their interests are and what sort of role they are thinking of doing when they are looking for jobs. Some companies offer hybrid, remote, flexitime, part-time or full-time work.
Finding a job is very scary, especially finding the right one for your young person, but there is always a job that is best suited for them. It will take time, however, don’t give up.
Megan is a youth network member who’s taken on the role of Youth Advisor for the Autistic and OK programme. Megan enjoys practising Makaton for her workplace, participating in Youth Network opportunities and writing her blog on social media to advocate for autistic people.
