Finding the right career path can be a bit scary for a teen with autism (or any teen for that matter!) They might ask you where to begin, and you might not be sure how to point them in the right direction. After all, sometimes even adults second-guess their decisions… Shocking, right!
Being a parent is a challenging adventure. When your kid reaches their teenage years, they start to ask questions… You might dodge them for a while, or tell them… when it hits you, you’ll just know.
But let’s get down to it. They want answers! How can you really help them figure out what they want to be when they grow up? How can you help them plan for their future during these critical teenage years when they develop into the person they will be for the rest of their lives?
Alright, we will take the drama down a notch. This might seem like a daunting task, but it really doesn’t have to be. Helping your student figure out what happens after high school can be a fun process. The key is to enjoy the journey.
You can help them identify things that match their passions, skills and interests. We’ll tell you how.
First, it’s important to consider realistic workplaces for your teen with autism. Here, we will explore some career fields where we have seen other people with autism thrive.
Bear in mind that each job we mention below may or may not be suitable for your child. It really depends on their level of independence, their personality, and their skill set. Certain teens with autism who have a hard time sitting in one place for long periods of time might not be the best fit for a desk job. Kids who love to be active might be better suited for jobs outside. Other teens who can get hyper-focused on a single task might be perfect for a desk job. The takeaway here is that the career path depends highly on the individual, just like with anyone! The important thing is to remember that your teen is unique. What makes them that way? What job would embrace what makes them different?
Start with the Strengths
Before figuring out what the right environment is, we have to help them identify their strengths, giving us a better idea of where they will feel motivated, empowered, and valued.
Some teens on the autism spectrum are known to be creative, innovative, and visually oriented thinkers. Those particular qualities open many doors to jobs in graphic design, retail sales or greeter, movie ticket taker, and more.
Other teens with ASDs tend to be very good with facts and have an excellent memory, are great problem solvers, or love tech-related subjects. These people might lean more towards a job in working as a cashier, to managing inventory, doing accounting, or learning programming.
With these general strengths, here are a few possible careers to help your student explore.
Researcher and Fact Checker
Many people on the spectrum are excellent at focusing their attention on a range of different topics. They can spend hours researching a detailed case and memorizing hundreds of facts based on their interests. These skills are highly desirable in the workplace.
Positions allowing them to channel their inner investigator are often an excellent option. Some suitable positions include researchers, fact-checkers, or data analysts. All these allow employees to work in an environment away from potential clients or the more stressful side of some workplaces.
Gardening or Florist
Working in gardening can be particularly good for people on the spectrum who may not be comfortable with many social interactions. Such a career also gives a chance to be closer to nature, which can benefit the overall well-being and balance of people with autism. You don’t necessarily have to “get your hands dirty” either. Other positions like florists offer similar opportunities that require creativity, and attention to detail.
Did you know we have gardening and camping clubs here at PS Academy Arizona? Both can spark the joy of being in nature in kids. Such club activities can build a lifelong interest in nature and motivate your kid to spend more time outside.
Art And Design
Some students with autism often show great potential in the artistic field. They are very visually oriented and can create 2D and 3D images out of the figments of their wonderful imaginations. These teens’ ability to see the world through a different lens is essential in art. Kids may also be creative, hard-working and can concentrate for hours on creating something beautiful.
Students can use their visual talents to build a career in graphic design, CAD design, illustration, animation, etc. For those who are not too excited about working in an overwhelming, busy environment, many of these positions have employees working alone or in a small team, which can make the workplace more inviting for someone on the spectrum.
Test it: Have them design a birthday or Christmas card in a simple design tool like Canva. Did they enjoy it?
Is your child’s current public school valuing their artistic mind? PS Academy Arizona’s Art Class is designed to teach students to become creative thinkers and visual problem solvers. Contact us to learn more about how art can benefit a student’s development.
Information Technology
Students with autism are often good at analytical thinking and problem-solving. They can also often concentrate for an extended period on challenging tasks. These skills are especially beneficial for a career in the informational technology sector.
The best thing is that positions in this field allow people to perform “behind the scenes” if they want to. You can find roles with options to work entirely remotely or with flexible office hours. Some suitable roles in the field include network engineering, coding, web development, database administration, and others.
Did you know that PS Academy Arizona has STEM classes Students who love math and can quickly solve complex equations really enjoy trying their hand at STEM activities. Just check out some of our testimonials.
Test it: Have them sign up for a free, beginner level course in IT on a site like Udemy. If they can’t peel their eyes off the screen, it might be a good fit!
Accounting
Some students with autism tend to perform well in math and other analytical thinking subjects, which is an excellent proposition to develop in accounting and finance. People on the spectrum tend to have an eye for recognizing patterns and noticing mistakes. They are also good with numbers and can also focus for a long time on solving complex problems. All those qualities can lead to a successful career as an accountant, billing specialist, bookkeeper, or any other job related to regulating accounts.
All these positions allow a person to work "behind the scenes," contributing immensely to a company's success. This factor can boost a person's confidence with autism and make them feel valued and appreciated. Additionally, many companies allow professionals in the accounting field to work remotely or hire freelancing professionals to do billing or bookkeeping.
Test it: do you have any old checkbooks laying around? Have them balance your checkbook for a week and see if they are drawn to the numbers or not!
How To Discover Student’s Strengths and Skills?
Finding the right career path depends on your student’s skill set, passions, and interests. How do they discover those interests and skills? A transition program is key to helping people with ASD find these answers.
In our transition program, we use a hands-on approach, where teachers become ‘’employers’’ and students are ‘’employees’’. We assess student’s competitive work potential and interest level, while simultaneously exploring various jobs, using real tools, and developing proper work behaviors in the following five areas:
Construction
Industrial, Consumer
Service, Computer Technology, Processing
Production
Business/ Marketing
Students also go on weekly community outings, encouraging them to explore a variety of businesses in person with the goal of internship or future employment.
These outings also allow students to hone many daily living skills, including accessing public transportation, retail shopping at a big box or grocery store, and finding entertainment spots.
Last but not least, they participate in classes such as “Lyfe 101” and Personal Finance to further increase their knowledge and independence.
If you want to learn about the program, get in touch today to learn more and schedule a tour.