• Topic
• Autism >> Parents of children on the Autism Spectrum >> Employment and finances >> Employment and finances

Employment and finances

• >> Parents of children on the Autism Spectrum >> Employment and finances >> Employment and finances

Employment and finances

• Clip
• Autism >> Parents of children on the Autism Spectrum >> Age 12-17 >> Karen - Interview 23 >> Karen feels judged to be the worlds worst parent and talks about the effect of her experiences on her life.

Karen’s old daughter was diagnosed with Asperger syndrome when she was 10 years old. She has since been diagnosed with Oppositional Defiance Disorder and her mother has removed her from school because appropriate support was not provided.

• Autism >> Parents of children on the Autism Spectrum >> Age 12-17 >> Karen - Interview 23 >> Karen describes the situation leading up to her daughter’s formal exclusion from school.

Karen’s old daughter was diagnosed with Asperger syndrome when she was 10 years old. She has since been diagnosed with Oppositional Defiance Disorder and her mother has removed her from school because appropriate support was not provided.

• Autism >> Parents of children on the Autism Spectrum >> Age 6-11 >> Rachel - Interview 8 >> Rachel felt too tense to carry on working. Not working is “a bit odd” because she has always worked.

Rachel’s sons, Thomas and Matthew, have both been diagnosed with Asperger syndrome. They both attend a mainstream primary school with support.

• Autism >> Parents of children on the Autism Spectrum >> Age 18+ >> Tracy - Interview 13 >> Tracy says it is scary that there is no structure in place to support her daughter.

Tracy’s daughter, Nicola, was diagnosed with autism when she was six years old. Nicola is currently at a college for further education and will start working at the local hospital radio station when she finishes her course.

• Autism >> Parents of children on the Autism Spectrum >> Age under 6 >> Nicki and Mark - Interview 14 >> Nicki describes how difficult it is for Mark, the main carer of their children, to get a job because there is no holiday provision.

Nicki and Mark’s son, Tyler, was diagnosed with autism when he was four years old. He attends a special school and they are delighted with his progress.

• Autism >> Parents of children on the Autism Spectrum >> Age under 6 >> Clare - Interview 40 >> Clare's underlying stress and negative feelings make it important for her to work part time.

Clare’s younger son, Joshua, was diagnosed with autism just before his second birthday. Clare has used various interventions and therapies and Joshua attends a combination of special and mainstream nursery provision.

• Autism >> Parents of children on the Autism Spectrum >> Age 18+ >> Jacqui - Interview 31 >> Jacqui says “it doesn’t stop when you get to 16; they go into adult services of which there are very few and it carries on just the same”.

Five of Jacqui’s children are on the autistic spectrum and, as they have grown older, Jacqui has found that adult services have few resources and there is no support to help ease her children into employment.

• Autism >> Parents of children on the Autism Spectrum >> Age 18+ >> Carolann - Interview 36 >> Carolann talks about how she has developed purpose, meaning and confidence because Nita has Asperger syndrome.

Carolann’s daughter, Nita, was diagnosed with Asperger syndrome when she was 14. Nita has written a book about her experiences, had some unsuccessful experiences at university and is currently teaching herself Russian, Japanese, Spanish and Chinese.

• Autism >> Parents of children on the Autism Spectrum >> Age under 6 >> Jane and Dan - Interview 57 >> Jane gave up work ten months ago because attending appointments and caring for her son was getting more difficult.

Jane and Dan’s son was diagnosed with autism six months ago. He has a sleep disorder and has some difficulties eating food.

• Autism >> Parents of children on the Autism Spectrum >> Age 6-11 >> Jeanine - Interview 46 >> Jeanine has to take her flexi-time or annual leave to attend appointments and assessments and describes how difficult it is to juggle work and childca

Jeanine’s son was diagnosed with autism when he was five years old. He attends a mainstream primary school with support and has made good progress at school.

• Autism >> Parents of children on the Autism Spectrum >> Age 6-11 >> Jeanine - Interview 46 >> Jeanine describes how support groups are not helpful to lone parents who work full time.

Jeanine’s son was diagnosed with autism when he was five years old. He attends a mainstream primary school with support and has made good progress at school.