2018: Joey at work
by Cindy Wolski
When my son, Joey, was in high school he had very challenging behavior. He has autism; diagnosed at age two with classic infantile autism (now referred to as Level 3 – the most severe form of autism). At age 11 he acquired the additional diagnosis of Bi-Polar Disorder (rapid cycler). This dual diagnosis, along with the frustrations of being non-verbal and fluctuating hormones resulted in destructive and self-injurious (headbanging) behavior. In fact, he never attended school for longer than 3 hours a day. It was just too hard to keep him focused and interested. And the behaviors that resulted from pushing him longer were not in anyone’s best interest. Although he was able to participate in some building-based job experience at school, he was not able to participate in the transition program or community work experience. It was believed by the IEP team (myself included) that his behavior would prevent him from being employed.
Fast forward eight years. Joey is now 30 years old. He is a participant in Goodwill’s Group Supported Employment program. Although he was hired at sub-minimum wage (wage based on productivity) when he started in 2016; in less than two years his productivity was 100%! He has learned so many things: using a time clock (which now requires him to enter his employee number from memory), greeting co-workers by name, moving independently from one task to another, asking for help. He likes wearing his uniform (which now includes a vest) and he recently received a 5-year pin from Goodwill! I believe he truly feels valued and needed. He is always happy to go to work – it is his place – no mom, no caregiver. He makes his own money ($13.69 an hour!) and chooses how to spend it in his community. I am so incredibly proud of him.
All people grow, mature, develop at their own pace. Somewhere around age 23-24, Joey calmed down. He adjusted to post school life. In addition to working two mornings a week, he participates in social activities: Whitman Buddy Program, Valley Residential Service’s (VRS) Cooking and Craft classes, Sensory Friendly Movies, and a few of the WWVDN/P2P social club events. He has a full and happy life. I may not have imagined it when he was in high school – but here it is!
My message to parents is to hang on to your dreams! Advocate for opportunity for your child to learn work skills and continue to cycle back periodically if it isn’t successful in the beginning. Don’t give up. Know that the work environment is different from the school environment. Learning skills in a group or classroom is more difficult with the distractions of many classmates and everyone having to learn the same skill at one time. Employment is individualized, one-on-one and in the work environment. So, even if your child isn’t receptive in school, there will be more opportunities post-graduation.
