Key Points
- Lei Wang's two sons are among 205,000 Australians living with autism.
- Data shows the unemployment rate for people with autism is more than three times the rate for people with other disabilities.
- Wang is helping her boys to prepare for a self-supporting future including through the medium of art.
For many parents, the sight of their children donning Year 12 graduation gowns heralds a moment of pride and anticipation.
Yet, for Lei Wang, a Chinese Australian mother of two residing in Melbourne, the occasion is tinged with a profound sense of apprehension and uncertainty.
Her sons, Jason Liu (17) and Jeno Liu (13), were diagnosed with autism at ages two and 10, respectively.
As Jason stands on the threshold of high school graduation, Wang said she found herself grappling with the weighty question of what lay ahead for her eldest son in terms of employment and independent living.
"I know of some autistic people in their 30s and 40s still at home [without a job]," she said.
Being a full-time single mother, Wang has spent most of her time taking care of her children since 2019, especially as Jason also has diabetes and epilepsy.
If I were not around one day, I would want my children to be able to support themselves.Lei Wang
Both born in Australia, Jason Liu (R) and Jeno Liu (C), were diagnosed with autism at ages two and 10 respectively. Credit: Supplied
Employment obstacles for people with autism
Wang's worries are not unfounded.
Latest Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) data shows that over 205,000 Australians are living with autism, and many of them are facing challenges in securing employment when they reach working age.
for people on the spectrum (people with autism) is 34 per cent – more than three times the rate for people with other disabilities (10.3 per cent) and almost eight times the rate for people without any disabilities (4.6 per cent).
Sandra Thom-Jones is a researcher with autism and an Honorary Professor at the University of Wollongong. She is also the author of "Growing in to Autism".
She said one of the reasons why there might be a higher rate of unemployment among people with autism was the lack of genuine understanding of the disorder in the workplace and community.
"There are stereotypes about autism, what autism looks like, and what autistic people are capable of," she told SBS Chinese.
Employers focus on the limitations of autistic people rather than our strengths.Professor Sandra Thom-Jones
Professor Sandra Thom-Jones is an academic with autism and the author of "Growing in to Autism". Credit: Supplied
"There is often an expectation that for an autistic person to be accepted in the workplace, they have to communicate and act in ways that are consistent with non-autistic norms, but very unnatural for them," she said.
Painting: a beacon of hope
To nurture her sons' potential, Wang has enrolled them in a variety of courses such as piano, painting and violin.
Jason (L) and Jeno (R) have been taking private painting lessons for over two years. Credit: Supplied
Earlier this month, Wang did just this with 76 paintings created by her sons on display in the Museum of Chinese Australian History in Melbourne.
A lot of people came and asked if the paintings were for sale and how much. I was surprised and felt proud.Lei Wang
"We're steering him towards art. Even if he sells just one or two paintings a month, it would provide him with some income," Wang said.
Thom-Jones said that her research showed that the wider public identified artists or musicians, supermarket shelf-stackers and computer programmers as the most common jobs that people with autism, "were expected to do".
Jason and Jeno at their painting exhibition at the Museum of Chinese Australian History in Melbourne. Source: SBS / Supplied
"I know many autistic people who are employed across a vast range of careers including teaching, health care, retail, academia, law, creative industries and many others," she said.
Many autistic people excel in these roles, due to their attention to detail, hyperfocus, pattern recognition and other known strengths of autism.Professor Sandra Thom-Jones
'Not a good fit'
To help Jason improve his chances of finding employment opportunities after graduation, Wang said she had enrolled him in gardening classes at a specialist school in Melbourne's south-east.
However, Wang said she soon noticed that the class "wasn't a good fit" for Jason.
He doesn't speak much and English is very challenging for him because we stayed in China for a couple of years.Lei Wang
"The class covered theoretical topics like photosynthesis and the structure of a flower. It was very challenging for my son to absorb, especially the English terms," she said.
Jason attending horticulture training at a specialist school in Melbourne's south-east. Credit: Supplied
However, she said she believed that while the programs provided essential care, it was difficult for some attendees to pick up skills needed to secure employment.
"It's like a kindergarten and the cost is covered by NDIS ... but my goal for (my) children to be self-supporting doesn't work out there," she said.
One of Jason's paintings. Credit: Supplied
NDIS program
Wang said she was pinning her hopes on an NDIS-run program aimed at helping Australian Year 12 students transition from school to work.
It offers individualised support for up to two years after finishing school to equip people with essential skills for employment, including money handling, time management and communication skills.
"Ideally, I'd like Jason to learn some skills through this program and get a government-funded job," Wang said.
However, applicants are required to demonstrate their ability to work through an assessment to join the program, Wang explained.
"I had an initial conversation with the teacher and Jason should be equipped for this. He can follow instructions to complete repetitive tasks with practice," she said.
"But for some children with more severe conditions, they might not be eligible for this program."
Lei Wang (C) migrated to Australia in 1999 and now lives in Melbourne with her two sons, Jeno (R) and Jason (L). Source: SBS / Shan Kou
Further, only seven per cent of the total number were from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds.
National Autism Strategy
The current educational system failed to prepare autistic children for sustainable employment, Thom-Jones said.
"In my experience, far too many autistic children find the school experience so distressing that just surviving it is an achievement," she said.
In addition, many autistic people found change distressing and challenging and transitions from school into employment could be extremely difficult, she added.
The 'cliff' is a well-recognised phenomenon where children finish school and are no longer eligible for many supports and services right when they need them the most.Professor Sandra Thom-Jones
"I hope that all autistic people will find a career that they love, but for some of them, this may be a part-time or even unpaid role."
Jason (centre) celebrates his 11th birthday with his mother and brother. Credit: Supplied
The Strategy will be "a whole-of-life plan for all Autistic Australians – not just those eligible for the National Disability Insurance Scheme," a Department of Social Services spokesperson told SBS Chinese.
The discussion paper highlights that greater awareness and acceptance of Autism is needed in the community.Department of Social Services spokesperson
"It also considers the timeliness of diagnosis and access to justice and health services for Autistic people, among other key issues."
The draft has been released for public comment until May 31, 2024.
