Autism

[kill]

Good friend of mine is autistic isn’t good with people has a very abrupt manner

Autism is now known to run in families but the spectrum of the effects maybe different between generations. There was a very interesting interview on radio two one lunch time a few weeks ago with the author Holly Smale on late diagnosis autism and how she had been through forty years of life feeling different but not knowing why until being diagnosed with autism and her mother being diagnosed shortly afterwards.
I think a good many people in society are undiagnosed and are at the lower end of the autistic scale but they often have a abrupt attitude towards others and become exceptionally obsessed with certain aspects of life or other people similar to stalkers and sex offenders and just can’t stop the way they are or stop and leave others alone.
Often their IQ is above average and sometimes way beyond average but their ability to interact with others isn’t so great as often blinkered/ tunnel visioned that their ideas are the only ones that exist.

 

[kill]

My sister has a lad like this, hardest job is watching what they put in there mouth, can be anything and everything in his case, it may depend on how bady it effects them

That sounds similar to Ben Afflecks character ” Christian Wolf“ in the film the Accountant but that was “High functioning autism “

 

[Wisconsonian]

... took everything literally, jokes had to be very well considered or he took off the cuff remarks to be an exact instruction.

This is classic behavior. Along with not seeing the assumed steps that you think should be obvious in the directions you give. Start out simple tasks and complete instructions. Explain jokes. Avoid sarcasm, irony etc.

 

[GeorgeK]

This is a generalisation but people with autism tend to dislike loud noises and chaotic environments. They prefer calm, order and predictability. He might actually enjoy some very worthwhile jobs that no one else likes to do like cleaning and organising the tool box or parts shelves (subject to there being no dangerous items)?

 

[M-J-G]

I believe that the spectrum is much broader than the one that is used to describe autism and in reality it covers us all and that we are all autistic to a point.
Everyone I know has a quirk or that one thing that they can't allow to happen etc.
A bit like how dyslexia, everyone seems to have at least something that they find difficult to learn, be that tying knots, right or left

The lad could turn out to be the best asset you've ever had, like anyone could.
It will just depend on how his condition allows him to adapt to your situation.
Routine and continuity tend to be important.

 

[Filthyfarmer]

Maybe ask the school for a meeting with the parents or guardians?

 

[GeorgeK]

I believe that the spectrum is much broader than the one that is used to describe autism and in reality it covers us all and that we are all autistic to a point.
Everyone I know has a quirk or that one thing that they can't allow to happen etc.
A bit like how dyslexia, everyone seems to have at least something that they find difficult to learn, be that tying knots, right or left

The lad could turn out to be the best asset you've ever had, like anyone could.
It will just depend on how his condition allows him to adapt to your situation.
Routine and continuity tend to be important.

I find it all very interesting, it can help us understand ourselves as well. It can be argued the opposite end of the spectrum to autism may be schizophrenia which can be a terrible affliction. People with schizotypal personalities can be 'big picture' thinkers, thrive in unpredictable environments and can make connections between areas that are usually unrelated. They can be highly sociable, thrill seeking and bursting with new thoughts and ideas. Makes you realise it takes all sorts and there is (or ought to be) a place for everyone where they can enjoy a fulfilling life.

 

[Boysground]

I wouldn't rely too much on any help from the school. Go with your instincts once you have met the lad. If he is coming for work experience make sure you have in your mind some plans of stuff that can be done WITH him. Don't just give him a job to do and leave him. Always have a plan B as well in case things don't go to plan. Sometimes good to get a job planned that you've been putting off for a while but which you could use an extra pair of hands. Fencing, painting pressure washing always work well.
Our latest work experience came to us last September (1 day/week through term time) as a very shy and unstable vegan teenage girl who clearly has issues with self harming. School basically dumped her on us. However, the reward to us has been to see that we have made a difference to her life now. She smiles, she's happy and self confident. She engages in conversation and is no longer a vegan! One thing for sure, she has been better off with us than in 'the system'
Good luck!

One of Mrs Bgs best friends has a severely autistic son he’s in secondary school now and is extremely intelligent but very few social skills. His mum has a very difficult time with him.

The mum has been vegetarian almost all her life but when the son was first diagnosed she did a lot of playing with his diet. She found that meat based was better for him and it definitely helped control his temper. So he is a carnivore.

Only one case but I have always found it interesting

Bg

 

[Kiwi Pete]

I believe that the spectrum is much broader than the one that is used to describe autism and in reality it covers us all and that we are all autistic to a point.
Everyone I know has a quirk or that one thing that they can't allow to happen etc.
A bit like how dyslexia, everyone seems to have at least something that they find difficult to learn, be that tying knots, right or left

The lad could turn out to be the best asset you've ever had, like anyone could.
It will just depend on how his condition allows him to adapt to your situation.
Routine and continuity tend to be important.

Spot on. There are literally dozens of different "twists" to this one, I have a wee touch of it myself, luckily quite manageable when we all know what I just can't do.

Here's how silly things can set a normally rational bloke into a terrified "wee boy": my "can't" is touching leftover food.
(I can wash dishes alright, just as long as there's no food stuck to the plates/cutlery.... if so, then I'm out).

Even peas stuck to a plate with butter has me in a fit! so in this house, we either finish the plate or scrape leftovers into the compost, and life goes on just fine

I'm no closer now than I ever was to getting over it, although some of the old "can'ts" like eating things with raisins in, have gone away

 

[traineefarmer]

Ignore the label and treat the person like any other human being. Autism can mean so many different things and offer both benefits and disadvantages to their potential.

If he had been born in a different era our stockman would probably have been placed on the spectrum - terrible with people, rude, inappropriate and sometimes incomprehensible jokes and gets surly and argumentative at any changes to his routine. But he is amazing with animals and will happily carry out hard, repetitive, mind numbing tasks every day without complaint, so long as you let him do it his way.

He wouldn't last five minutes in a big HR controlled corporation, but we put up with his difficulties because we know that we can trust and rely on him 100%.

On the other hand we had a lad for a couple of months one harvest with diagnosed autism. He was a lovely, friendly, quiet chap but had zero initiative. He had to be operated like a machine. You couldn't tell him to "go and stack the bales", he had to be told "pick up that bale and put it there. Now pick up the next bale and put it over there." and so on. He would complete the task and then stop and wait for the next instruction.

Mind you they are both golden compared to the 100s of "normal" people who we have had looking for work and spend all their time skiving on their phones or arsing about rather than doing the job.

 

[Jackov Altraids]

Autism covers such a wide range of ability/ disability that everyone could probably be assessed to be somewhere on the spectrum.
Many people are very successful due to their autistic tendency to be exact and obsessive but there are many 'average' people with autism as well.
My experience is with those for whom their autism has been disabling as their behaviours were such that they could not live without assistance and their inability to understand casual social interaction made public interaction hazardous. Even those who were most disadvantaged were wonderful people but it was fascinating how society can't cope with people that can't cope with society.

 

[chipchap]

What is ”normal” anyway.

I’ve yet to meet anybody completely normal, and know for sure I’m not.

 

[toquark]

I know a chap who's child is autistic and I suspect he is too. For him routine is everything, you can set your watch by him and he's excellent mechanically. However as soon as things go off script, or he's held up in any way there's a melt down.

In his case its fairly easy to manage in his work and he's found ways making it work to his advantage, in fact he puts most "normal" people to shame in that regard.

 

[wrenbird]

Not long after me and his ’Immense Tallness’ moved together, I came home to find that he had decided to surprise me by painting the kitchen. It was long overdue and a lovely thing to do, so he couldn’t understand why I burst into tears and had a near panic attack over it. It was just coming in and finding things were not where things should be. Even now, I have been known to get up in the night because I am not sure that the mugs in the cupboard have been put back in the right order, which Himself finds incomprehensible, because to him I am the world’s most untidy person, to me it’s not untidiness, just things where things should be.

 

[Bald n Grumpy]

Know a chap who has a young man working for him who he found a bit frustrating.
Mrs BnG explained that he had autism and gave a few pointers on how to cope/help with the situation, within a short time the lad was milking and could be left on his own and more reliable than most.
Give the lad a chance you might find he's the best reliable staff member you can have

 

[betweenthelines]

The only difference this lad has is that he has been diagnosed. Everyone has a different/odd/strange/weird personality-autism is just another label.

Just treat him like you would anyone else. As you get to know him, you'll learn how to handle him.

 

[Robt]

The school have been pretty rubbish so far, but I take your point.

sorry, but schools have so much resources at their feet for children with Autism. When you say school has been rubbish. Have you actually spoken to the school?

 

[Muddyroads]

sorry, but schools have so much resources at their feet for children with Autism. When you say school has been rubbish. Have you actually spoken to the school?

In fairness to them, no. But as the one who is helping out by offering to give him the work experience, is it not for them to come forward to me with help and information?

 

[farmerdan7618]

Mainstream school or special education? Will give an idea of severity of autism.

Little brother has classic autism, 25 years old, non verbal, has no sense of danger, eats all sorts if allowed, needs 24 hour care and supervision.

At the other end of the spectrum, Temple Grandin (the cattle behaviour expert) is diagnosed as autistic. She would be at the Asperger's end of the spectrum.

So much variation that the school and the parents will need to give you a steer as to what is needed. Most have routines that they need to stick to.

 

[Robt]

In fairness to them, no. But as the one who is helping out by offering to give him the work experience, is it not for them to come forward to me with help and information?

do they know? i doubt it. Teachers and schools offer so much support when they can. If they dont know, they cant help