OPINION: It is sad and unfair that so many people with autism don’t have jobs
By Michael Isaacs, A Norwood services user
Michael Isaacs is 37 years old. He has a learning disability and mild Asperger’s syndrome, an autistic spectrum disorder, and is supported by Norwood. Autism affects around one in 100 people in the UK, which means that there are roughly 2,500 people with autism in the Jewish community.
Every year, World Autism Week – which was held last month – aims to shine a light on the condition, which is often misunderstood. Only 15 percent of adults with autism are currently employed, but most, like Michael, would love to work.
Here, he explains what people should know about autism:
In 2011 I was diagnosed with mild Asperger’s syndrome.
I wouldn’t have minded being told earlier!
Because of my Asperger’s syndrome, I like things to be in a certain order.
If I am in the middle of a task at work and someone messes up what I am doing, I might get cross. But if someone pushes in front of me in the queue for the bus, I will be relaxed about it – it’s not worth worrying about. Everyone will get on the bus eventually.
Some people with autism aren’t able to handle their emotions if there isn’t a routine.
I know someone who gets so upset if a member of support staff doesn’t arrive on time – a temper tantrum and biting of fingers ensues.
Before I was diagnosed, my behaviour wasn’t good. Sometimes I did things like swear or behave inappropriately.
I think it was probably to get attention. Since then I have come a long way.
I can travel independently and work. The job coaches at Norwood have helped me to respond to people in the right way and helped me with my work skills.
At the day centre that I attend, there are between 45 and 50 people. Everyone has autism or Asperger’s syndrome.
Some people don’t like noise and some people don’t like different routines and some people have one-to-one support. There are also people like me who have mild Asperger’s syndrome, such as my friend Sam, who is a very good cricketer, and Chris, who has autism and works at the day centre as an assistant.
I want people to treat me and other people with autism in the same way as they would treat anyone else, with respect. Most people are really nice. In shul, people explain things to me if I don’t understand them.
There are some things that will help you communicate with someone with autism. If you are talking to someone with autism then first of all you must introduce yourself loudly and clearly. I don’t like it when people speak fast. For me to understand them, they have to speak slowly and clearly.
If there is background noise in the room and I can’t understand what people are saying, I ignore it for a minute and hope it doesn’t carry on. But if I still can’t understand, I’ll say”Excuse me, I can’t hear myself think, can we go outside?”
I work three days a week in St Catherine’s School as a supervising meal assistant. It’s a voluntary role but my ambition is to find a paid job. I think it’s unfair and sad that so many people with autism don’t have jobs because even if you have Asperger’s syndrome you will still make a very good employee.
I have a lot to offer. In my volunteer job, I am reliable, honest, good with customers, have commitment and I show up on time. Getting paid work would make me feel very happy.
• If you are an employer and would like to find out how Norwood can support you to employ someone with a learning disability, contact the Norwood’s work skills and employment team on 020 8809 8809
Thank you for helping to make Jewish News the leading source of news and opinion for the UK Jewish community. Today we're asking for your invaluable help to continue putting our community first in everything we do.
For as little as £5 a month you can help sustain the vital work we do in celebrating and standing up for Jewish life in Britain.
Jewish News holds our community together and keeps us connected. Like a synagogue, it’s where people turn to feel part of something bigger. It also proudly shows the rest of Britain the vibrancy and rich culture of modern Jewish life.
You can make a quick and easy one-off or monthly contribution of £5, £10, £20 or any other sum you’re comfortable with.
100% of your donation will help us continue celebrating our community, in all its dynamic diversity...
Engaging
Being a community platform means so much more than producing a newspaper and website. One of our proudest roles is media partnering with our invaluable charities to amplify the outstanding work they do to help us all.
Celebrating
There’s no shortage of oys in the world but Jewish News takes every opportunity to celebrate the joys too, through projects like Night of Heroes, 40 Under 40 and other compelling countdowns that make the community kvell with pride.
Pioneering
In the first collaboration between media outlets from different faiths, Jewish News worked with British Muslim TV and Church Times to produce a list of young activists leading the way on interfaith understanding.
Campaigning
Royal Mail issued a stamp honouring Holocaust hero Sir Nicholas Winton after a Jewish News campaign attracted more than 100,000 backers. Jewish Newsalso produces special editions of the paper highlighting pressing issues including mental health and Holocaust remembrance.
Easy access
In an age when news is readily accessible, Jewish News provides high-quality content free online and offline, removing any financial barriers to connecting people.
Voice of our community to wider society
The Jewish News team regularly appears on TV, radio and on the pages of the national press to comment on stories about the Jewish community. Easy access to the paper on the streets of London also means Jewish News provides an invaluable window into the community for the country at large.
We hope you agree all this is worth preserving.
