ask another friend or family member to
conduct one of the mock scenarios so that
they can practice with different interview
styles and generalize their skills.

Provide a toolkit for
self-advocacy As your teen explores job opportunities,
it’s important to be both realistic and
supportive. We know all too well the
harsh realities of this world and how cruel
people can be. There’s a possibility your
teen will face disrespect, discrimination
and rejection along the way. Consider
how you can equip your teen to face
those circumstances when they arise,
whether it’s during the hiring process
or once they’ve landed the job. This can
include educating them about the types of
interview questions that employers legally
should or shouldn’t be asking as well as
sharing ideas for how they can message
their strengths and skills.

Look for community
education opportunities
See the process as an opportunity to
advocate for your son or daughter
while you educate your community in
the process. Take time throughout the
year to reach out to a few businesses in
your community to see if they would
be interested in inclusion training or
a workshop. This can be a unique way
to raise awareness and create more
opportunities not only for your teen, but
also for other individuals with autism.

Remember that while individuals with
autism certainly face a unique set of
challenges, rejection is a universal feeling.

You can remind your teen that they are
not alone by sharing stories of individuals
with all different types of backgrounds who
faced rejection before they found success.

As parents, though we want to protect
our kids from facing hurt and rejection,
we need to give them the opportunity
to explore their independence. And as a
community, it’s important that we continue
to advocate for inclusive hiring practices
and workplace policies for our children and
future generations. n
Dana Reinhardt is the education director of HASA,
a Baltimore nonprofit that provides health, speech-
language, education, language access and inclusion
programs to people of all ages, and oversees
Gateway School, a nonpublic school for children
with autism and other communication-related
disorders. WashingtonFAMILY.com 33