According to estimates, there are around 100 million people with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) worldwide, with varying degrees of severity. In Vietnam, there are over one million individuals diagnosed with ASD. The number of people with autism is on the rise globally. However, up to 80-90% of individuals with autism in the working age population struggle to find employment. In reality, many individuals with autism possess strengths in keen observation, artistic talents, and high levels of concentration. Providing career guidance, vocational training, and job opportunities for individuals with autism not only holds significant humanitarian value, enabling them to lead fulfilling lives and find meaningful work, but also contributes significantly to alleviating burdens on families and society.
Career guidance and vocational training needs of autistic people
When autism is mentioned, most people tend to think of it as something that only affects children. However, it actually exists across various age groups and can persist throughout life. Children with autism often experience delayed development, decreased communication abilities, behavioral and emotional irregularities, and various sensory disorders. Only about 20% of children with autism can communicate and learn, but still face difficulties in social interactions. The remaining 80% continue to grow into adults with autism.
Autism can be seen both as a strength and a weakness for individuals. In fact, it has been proven that people with autism possess certain skills that are suitable for specific job positions, enabling them to perform well and deliver high-quality work. Many individuals with autism have notable strengths, some even excel. For instance, individuals with autism often exhibit excellent attention to detail, making them suitable for tasks that require sequential execution, clear procedural formulas, and minimal time constraints. Another characteristic is their punctuality and reliability. Many excel in fields such as music, mathematics, technology, art, and engineering — although those with a truly “savant” brain are relatively rare. Researchers suggest that individuals with autism are often sincere and trustworthy, partly because they struggle with recognizing and using sarcastic, flattering, or deceptive speech.
Autistic adolescents also need career guidance and vocational training (illustration)
Depending on the talents of each adult with autism, many individuals with autism can still pursue suitable careers. Those with analytical thinking abilities can excel in professions such as design (graphic design, web design), crafts, fine arts, baking, and pet care. Those with artistic talents may focus on photography, painting, or music. Some children with autism show early aptitude in photography and painting, receiving early career guidance from their families and achieving certain accomplishments.
Despite their ability to work and even excel in such jobs, individuals with autism still face many challenges in vocational education and job seeking. Where can they receive vocational training and certification? Where are they recruited? These are still questions with rare answers. Some institutions that cater to children with autism have independently researched and tested vocational programs for older individuals with autism. Community projects are contributing to the mission of guiding career paths for individuals with autism. This raises the issue of the need for appropriate attention from the government and society towards individuals with autism.
Gold Time Education and the employment project aim to change the perception of individuals with autism.
With the hope that individuals with autism can also contribute to and be recognized in society, the Gold Time Education project (Economic model project for individuals with autism in Vietnam) was launched. It is considered a pioneering initiative in providing training and employment for individuals with autism, ensuring stable income.
According to Mr. Nguyen Duc Trung, CEO of VAPs, there is currently no separate education program in Vietnam, a lack of teachers with specialized skills, and a lack of coordination among relevant agencies to serve the education and training of skills for individuals with autism. The most valuable factor for the project is people, including instructors with proper knowledge, understanding of the autistic world, and the support from the families of individuals with autism. Besides understanding, these guides must have material and spiritual stability to become companions for individuals with autism.
The project is a long-term and challenging strategy, but Mr. Trung and his team have found the peace of mind to be determined to implement the project, building a professional labor model for individuals with autism in Vietnam.
Autistic students learn to bake cakes
Currently, Gold Time Education is implementing several projects including restaurants, libraries, and job training programs in the IT field. Recently, the pizza restaurant model where individuals with autism handle all tasks from start to finish has proven to be highly effective. Here, each individual with autism can complete their tasks proficiently, such as baking, serving, greeting guests, and cleaning, all with a professional demeanor. In 2020, Gold Time Education plans to expand additional models for individuals with autism, including office supply stores, supermarkets, etc. Additionally, they aim to intensify research and collaboration activities both domestically and internationally to ensure that these economic models operate efficiently and expand further.
Phong Châu
