Self-employment is the most flexible pathway to employment for people with autism and other significant disabilities. The common perception of a candidate for a small business is one who has a higher level of functioning and traditional academic skills. However, writing and reading is not a prerequisite to owning a successful small business. The traits shared by most successful small business owners are creativity and inventiveness.
Natural Business Supports for People with Autism
Business owners who do not have diagnosed disabilities frequently contract out services that are unappealing to them or beyond their capabilities. Many small business owners contract accountants, lawn care experts, cashiers, and janitorial services. The business owner with autism can make these same choices. The business owner can select the work he or she can and wishes to perform; then contract other business related services to others. Family support is another characteristic of the typical small business model that works well for small businesses owned by people with autism.
Self-Employment vs. Supported Employment for Adults with Autism
Self-employment options are strengths based natural choices many people who are passionate about an industry, hobby or skill pursue. Self-employment offers people an opportunity to work in an area, which they enjoy while earning a payday. The path to self-employment for a person with autism requires a support team and a plan to utilize the vocational service system in conjunction with mainstream business resources. This form of employment allows the person with autism the most control over his or her own life. These self-employment jobs are founded based on the persons interests and offer almost unlimited opportunities to advance or recreate further opportunities.
Supported employment options are deficit based and yield little success toward independence. Supported employment often demands a person remain part of the system and continue in a life of isolation and poverty. Those who emerge from supported employment with competitive jobs are usually people placed in minimum wage mundane jobs in which they may or may not be interested. These jobs offer little or no advancement opportunities.
Is the Self-Employment Option for Adults with Autism Too Risky?
Self-employment is the only substantial option for people who otherwise must rely on the Social Security and Medicare or Medicaid systems to accumulate assets and income. Most people with disabilities, including autism, in the United States receive Supplemental Security Income (SSI) or Social Security Disability Income (SSDI), Medicaid and/or Medicare benefits. Although an individual cannot amass more than $2,000 in cash resources, government programs do allow a small business owner to have appropriate revenue to operate his or her small business.
The employment rate for people with significant disabilities is less than 10 percent according to the United States Census Bureau in 2001. The U.S. Small Business Association reports 79 percent of small businesses are still operating five years after start-up. The chance at success for people with autism to open their own small business is much greater than their chance at success in the wage employment arena.
Careful planning with a business development team consisting of people inside and outside the traditional human services field, people close to the person with autism and at least one dedicated and supportive family member people with autism can be successful small business owners.
For those still concerned about the risk of a small business venture for a person with autism—embrace the risk. The alternative is poverty, isolation and dependence, which is the greatest risk to the human spirit.
Reference:
Griffin, Cary and Hammis, David; 2003; "Making Self-Employment Work for People with Disabilities;" Paul H. Books Publishing Co.
Jennifer Terry - Jennifer Terry has worked to promote self-determination and consumer education for 10 years. She has been writing since 2004 and has been ...
