The Yi Theory Salon "Star Youth Workplace Breakthrough" sponsored by Shenzhen International Philanthropy College explores the workplace dilemma and breakthrough path of the elderly autistic group. Courtesy of Shenzhen International Philanthropy College
Beijing, April 1 (China News Network) -- In the Beijing Foreign Research Bookstore, there is a special employee, autism painter Kang Rui. Every Thursday, it is the day when Kang Rui goes to work at the bookstore, and this day has become his most fulfilling and happy day.
But at present, there are not many young people with autism like Kang Rui who can find a job. How to solve the employment problem of the elderly autistic group has also become a problem that all sectors of society are committed to exploring and solving.
2 April is World Autism (Autism) Day. On the occasion of the 15th World Autism Day, Shenzhen International Philanthropy Institute joined hands with a number of EMP alumni, corporate representatives and relevant media to discuss the workplace dilemmas and breakthrough paths of the elderly autistic group.
Less than 5% of autistic groups are employed in integrated employment
According to relevant experts, according to the 1% incidence rate, the mainland currently has at least more than 10 million autistic people, and is growing at a rate of nearly 200,000 per year. In a recent survey conducted by the shenzhen Institute of International Philanthropy research groups, respondents aged 41-50 paid significant attention to the employment of adults in autistic groups.
However, at present, the rehabilitation assistance policy in various places covers up to 18 years old, and benefits or services are available to autistic people aged 17-40, and there is a cliff-like decline in category and number. Especially in the field of employment, although many children with autism can grow up in integrated education, once they go out of school, they can only rely on their parents to raise them at home due to problems such as no work income and lack of welfare security, and the results of rehabilitation training in the early stage gradually decline.
Kang Rui, who works at the Beijing Foreign Research Bookstore, is a student at the Beijing Golden Wings Disabled Children's Art Rehabilitation Service Center. Although Golden Wings has been established for 12 years and had paintings of students on display at the closing ceremony of the Beijing Winter Paralympic Games, only 4 trainees have been truly successful in the center.
Zeng Weiling, senior director of the Social Policy Research Center of Shenzhen International Philanthropy College, revealed that in China, the proportion of elderly people with autism in social integration is less than 5%.
According to data from the Fourth International Forum on Supportive Employment for People with Mental Disabilities in 2014, the global inclusive employment rate of people with mental disabilities is about 27% in developed countries (regions), and the remaining 50% to 60% are sheltered employment. Based on the combing of the whole life cycle, employment has become a serious shortcoming in the needs of autistic groups in China at this stage.
Kang Rui, an autism painter at the Beijing Foreign Research Bookstore, at work. Courtesy of Shenzhen International Philanthropy College
The career of young people with autism is difficult
Wen Hong, president of the China Association of Mentally Disabled Persons and Relatives and Friends, said that from the perspective of supporting the whole life of autism, one of the most successful signs of rehabilitation is that young people with autism can be employed.
But achieving this goal will not be easy. A 2019 survey by the China Association of Mentally Disabled Persons, Relatives and Friends in Guangdong found that in a long-term vocational skills training program, the higher the proportion of autism, the lower the employment rate. "Behavioral problems in children with autism can be the first barrier to employment, and even worse if early intervention is inadequate." Wen Hong said.
Wen Hong believes that the biggest difficulty in the employment of autistic groups at this stage lies in four aspects:
First, the pre-preparation skills are insufficient. In addition to the lack of parental awareness, vocational skills training for autism is also very lacking at this stage, especially in public schools, where there is a serious shortage of professionals.
The second is the single development of posts, mainly focusing on skills such as hotels and baking. In fact, autism is a generalized disorder, the patient's IQ ranges from 30 to 130, and there are many high-functioning children whose dominant potential is underdeveloped.
The third is to develop ordinary jobs, and it is necessary to match employment counselors in competitive positions to support his employment, and sheltered or auxiliary employment is still needed at this stage.
The fourth is the need for more systematic policy environment construction to study the guarantee of the whole life of autism.
Beijing Golden Wings' autism cadets appeared at the closing ceremony of the Beijing Winter Paralympic Games. Courtesy of Shenzhen International Philanthropy College
Explore employment paths for young people with autism
Relevant experts believe that the employment of autistic groups is a complex system, including multiple factors such as the policy orientation of employment with disabilities, the support of enterprises for the employment of disabled groups, the long-term training and preparation of families, the counseling support of social service agencies, and the acceptance of the public.
As the father of a mentally handicapped youth, Li Junfeng is also an entrepreneur and public welfare person. Since 2014, his Family Support Center for the Mentally Handicapped has had nearly 90 children, some of whom are autistic, successfully employed in the Beijing area.
"People with mental disabilities do face many difficulties in employment, but they are not without paths. One of these important professional roles is the Careers Counselor. Then establish a natural support system with the help of an employment counselor, but also with the care of the employer and the environmental support of the executive team. He said.
According to Li Junfeng, in the past eight years, the employment counselors who have been in love and harmony have not only continued to support the internship and induction of young people with mental disabilities, but also have to communicate with enterprises continuously, and even redesign jobs and processes for young people with autism. It takes about 3 to 6 months for a young man with autism to take up employment, most of which is spent building his natural support system. Because companies usually have a limited understanding of the behavior habits and communication methods of autistic youth, employment counselors need to provide employee training and provide targeted guidance in specific situations to build a suitable working environment and allow him to integrate into the work process of the enterprise.
How to achieve not only does not increase the burden on enterprises, but also allows young people with autism to be successfully employed? Li Junfeng believes that this requires a supportive system jointly built by enterprises, families and professional institutions. Business leaders, in particular, should realize that the employment of young people with autism is not only a welfare solution, nor is it just to improve their treatment, but also to provide them with an environment of social integration.
Wen Hong said that there is no cure for autism at present, and patients need to understand, accompany and support for life, but they can return to normal life. "Autistic people generally have the characteristics of perfection, super memory, and stereotyped behavior, which may become an advantage for the development of their professional potential."
Li Junfeng stressed that in this process, parents must have confidence. It is not that children must be able to live independently after employment, but that children can have a higher quality of life. This growth is based on himself, so that he can be a better version of himself. (End)