Shop

Currently selling Printable Valentine’s day cards https://www.etsy.com/shop/thepajamagang/

About 1 billion people (roughly 15% of the world’s population) possess a form of impairment that affects their daily lives. Currently, 1% of the world’s population has been diagnosed with Autistic Spectrum Disorder (ASD).

Unfortunately, people with these impairments are almost twice as likely to be unemployed compared to the general population. According to Claire Barnett (of the Frist Center for Autism and Innovation at Vanderbilt University), the un- and under-employment rate among college educated autistic adults is around the 80% mark.

There are major barriers to entry into employment for autistic people. These barriers include a lack of understanding from employers, the various social and communication difficulties that autistic people can experience on a daily basis, anxiety issues, difficulties in applying for jobs or handling interview situations effectively, difficulties associated with multi-tasking or time management, and obsessional behaviors.

By the time my son is of employment age I hope that there is acceptance, understanding and a more flexible workplace that supports all differences.

But as a back-up plan, I want to open an online shop alongside my blog. I will be selling items based around things my son loves and will be starting (hopefully) with selling pajamas. I hope to build this business for him, in order to give him a fallback option in case the workplace is still not autistic-friendly. I want to be able to offer him a sense of worth in an environment that will support him, and- hopefully as the business grows- I may be able to offer employment to others.

I have sometimes been asked how other people can help. To that end, we are accepting donations to help buy the first line of stock for the shop. Any donations given will all go to building the business.

Thank you for all your support. It means the world to us.