By LACHLAN MOORHEAD
YOUNG adults with Asperger syndrome are being encouraged to join the workforce through the help of a new foundation.
The Blue Jay Foundation, which started in June, aims to provide paid work experience to young people with Asperger syndrome who are currently seeking employment.
Tracey Gottliebsen, a Berwick resident and co-director of the foundation, has a 15-year-old son with Asperger’s and has written extensively on the topic, including in her 2011 novel Tremendaspie.
Ms Gottliebsen said those who have Asperger’s often need assistance adjusting to the workplace environment.
“They get a lot of support in school and university and can be highly skilled in their field but often find it difficult to work,” she said.
“We wanted to set up a program that caters for them.”
The Blue Jay Foundation work experience programs will take place in Asperger friendly environments, with each person employed for a four week stint, four days a week.
The foundation also wants to make sure employers are informed about Asperger syndrome.
“We plan to give employers a presentation on Asperger’s,” Ms Gottliebsen said.
“We’ve had a lot of interest from candidates.”
Each employee will be paid hourly rates for the full four-week duration, with the foundation and the employer contributing equally towards the wages.
The Blue Jay Foundation will be holding its first fundraising trivia night on Saturday 26 October and Ms Gottliebsen is encouraging people to attend and support the initiative.
The foundation is also looking for people to volunteer as case managers, to assist the workers during their work experience.
And while the Blue Jay Foundation is barely a month old, there has already been feedback from young people who are very interested in undertaking work experience.
“There has been a big response from young adults, they have emailed me asking when they can get started with work experience,” Ms Gottliebsen said.
“We’re hoping that in the long term the work experience leads to employers offering the workers a permanent job.”
As outlined on autismspeaks.org, Asperger syndrome is an autism spectrum disorder (ASD) considered to be on the “high functioning” end of the spectrum. Affected children and adults have difficulty with social interactions and exhibit a restricted range of interests and repetitive behaviours.
For more information, visit www.facebook.com/bluejayfundraising.
