My son with Asperger's

[SheilaT]

has recently, as of three weeks ago, gotten a real job. He's 28, graduated last year in a CAD program at his junior college. Initially he could not seem to find a real CAD job, and went to work in his school's CAD lab. Once the spring semester ended, and he was getting no more hours at the lab, he started a new job search.

He did get help and prep in interviewing from his dad and step-mother, but he did the actual job search on his own. It's a very basic entry-level position, and it's actually a six-month contract, but this is such a huge step forward for him.

And even though I know that a person does not outgrow Asperger's, he seems to have matured in certain ways in this past year. He sounds more confident when I talk to him on the phone, and a whole lot happier, especially since starting work.

Just wanted to share this with all of you.

[elleng]

1. That's WONDERFUL news, SheilaT.

Congrats to him, and to YOU!

[SheilaT]

2. Thanks.

We all here know the challenges of Asperger's, and so I think it's important to share success stories.

[elleng]

3. Yes, indeed.

Have you watched Doc Martin, on PBS? (Saturdays.) Sometimes think he's an Aspie.

P.S, check DU 'divorce' group, please.

:hi:

[SheilaT]

4. No, I have not watched that. I don't have a TV, but

I do watch a lot on the internet. Let's see, it looks as though I can watch it on Hulu, so I'll have to check it out some time soon. Thanks for the suggestion.

(look for a PM)

[Odin2005]

5. Congrats!

[SheilaT]

6. I thought I would post an update

on my son's job situation.

It's going extremely well. They give him an assignment, he does it, turns it in, and says, Now what can I do? I gather that more than once he's completed all the work they have for him and don't immediately have another task.

His contract is up next month, and he tells me that the engineering firm is trying to decide whether to renew the contract or simply hire him on as a permanent employee.

I know that many people with Asperger's have trouble getting or keeping jobs, so I do want to know that it's possible to be successful. It's a matter of finding the right kind of work or the right kind of company. In my son's case, he's a natural in the engineering field, and would like to work on getting back to school and completing an engineering degree. He's about halfway there. Meanwhile, he has a decent job and is independent.

[Sienna86]

7. That's great news.

He sounds like a valuable employee - wouldn't it be great if they hired him as a permanent employee!