Autism Job Story: Small Business Office Support

“Trey started working 2 afternoons/week at a small business downtown the summer after his first year at the GO Project in AISD (a 19-22 program based at St. Ed’s University). A former aide at Austin High took a job there and had Trey apply for a summer internship. He scans, shreds, does some data entry on the computer, helps set up for meetings, folds mailers and puts them in envelopes. A few months after starting the job, the guy who knew Trey left the job. We didn’t know how it would go, but he didn’t miss a beat. His coworkers stepped in with any needed support. They are great and we have been to Christmas parties. He makes a little more than minimum  wage for 6 hours/week, which gives him some spending money and doesn’t impact his SSI much. This job has been great in every way. He really likes his coworkers and they are all very nice. He is learning good skills that could transfer to many other settings.

He also did a few volunteer hours during school the last 2 years- HEB, Opal Devine’s and a thrift store on South Congress.”