St. Paul schools' effort to streamline autism program has parents worried

[Geordie]

By LYNDSAY BUCKLAND
Published on Wednesday 30 January 2013 01:54

ANDREW Gray is an example of how people with autism can hold down jobs and be a positive force in the workplace. The 34-year-old from Dundee, who has Asperger?s, works as a waiter in a hotel and enjoys his job.

But this would not have been possible without support from a mentor. Mr Gray said: ?I love my job and I am absolutely dedicated to my hotel. When I started work I was given a mentor by the hotel. My mentor has stuck with me and I can honestly say she has saved me from walking out or being dismissed.

?By doing the best job I can, I feel I?m giving something back for the faith she had in me.?

Mr Gray said, like many people with autism, he had difficulty reading facial expressions and his understanding of conversations could be a bit literal. But he said his mentor had helped him to understand her expressions.

His father, Norman, said people with autism were often diligent and showed great attention to detail, but just needed the right support.

?Many people with autism want to work so they can be independent but sometimes they come up against a lack of understanding,? he said.

?Andrew has worked so hard throughout his life to overcome the challenges of his condition. As his dad, there have been so many proud moments. It was fantastic to see his first wage slip.?

Autism case study:

 

[Jacki Cucinotta]

This was a great read Geordie! Makes me feel good knowing that there are others who acknowledge that auties and aspies are capable of holding jobs and leading their own lives. I had a lot of similar experiences as Andrew, especially the fact that we both have had individuals who have served as mentors for us. For me that was in elementary school and middle school, when I often needed a student aide to help me get through the day (mostly due to the fact that I usually displayed unruly behavior such as panic attacks, temper tantrums, etc.; however, those did gradually decrease by the end of middle school and pretty much disappeared by the time I started high school). The bottom line is that he is extremely lucky to have someone who is so supportive in his life - it's always a good thing to have a support system of some sort based on what I've been through. This article is a true example of a success story and what all of us auties and aspies are capable of achieving. As I said before, support systems are great, and I would truly encourage them.