It’s important to have mutual guidelines
and parameters you and your teen can
agree on upfront before diving into the
job search. For example, how many hours
is your teen willing and able to work,
given other commitments? Will they need
help with transportation? What kind of
environment will be most conducive to
success? Consider lighting, noise level,
potential for crowds, etc. that could be
sensory triggers. This will help focus your
search and ensure that you invest time in
finding a job that’s going to be a true fit for
your teen’s needs and your family’s needs.

Consider their strengths
— and interests
When people picture individuals with
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autism in the workplace, they may picture
jobs that are routine based and entry level.

While jobs like these may be an excellent
fit for some individuals with autism —
especially in the summer when the learning
curve can be steep and fast — individuals
with autism are a diverse group. Like all
teens looking for a job, individuals with
autism have a wide range of strengths that
can be valuable in a variety of settings,
whether that’s an excellent memory,
attention to detail, analytical abilities or
high-level math skills. The list goes on
and on. It’s important to emphasize and
encourage these strengths in your teen and
explore opportunities for them to leverage
and build on those skills.

At the same time, it’s important to
encourage your teen to think about their
interests and passions. Some teens with
autism may find themselves limited by
the box in which society has placed them.

But as with any young adult, taking a job
that they are excited about can be more
fulfilling, can encourage creativity and
can inspire them to dream big and take
ownership of their future.

Play out several mock
interview scenarios
In anticipation of the unpredictable nature
of interviews, run a few different scenarios
with a mix of questions so that you can
talk through potential responses with your
teen and prepare them for the uncertainty.

This allows them the opportunity to
work through those challenges in an
environment where they feel safe and
comfortable and with someone they
know and trust. It can even be helpful to
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Set clear expectations
for the job-hunt process