Words of wisdom to help autistic Erin
THE PHOTOGRAPHER SHARES ADVICE TO HELP TEENAGER SUCCEED IN WORK
AN AUTISTIC photographer has given his support and offered advice to a Swadlincote teenager who has the disability and is struggling to find a job.
Lamar Francois started his own photography company after finishing his course at university and says he was moved by the plight of Erin Gibbins, who, as we reported in the Burton Mail on Monday, suspects she never gets an interview for jobs because her CV says she has autism.
The Nottingham-born photographer, became interested in photography shortly before he was diagnosed with autism in 2012 and went on to set up his firm Pictured by Lamar, has offered advice to Erin, 17, saying that she should “play into her strengths” and focus on what she is good at.
He also said he was helped to set up his firm by the Prince’s Trust and Erin could do the same.
The Prince’s Trust focuses on helping young people who are struggling or are vulnerable, including with disabilities like autism. For him being self-employed was perfect and it is one of the things Erin can also consider.
Erin is studying performing arts at Burton and South Derbyshire College in Burton and wants to work in the theatre industry. But her mum Li Douglas-gibbins says she fears Erin could struggle getting into full-time work as she suspects employers see she is autistic from her CV and don’t call back.
So far she had applied to 15 firms in the East Staffordshire and South Derbyshire area and felt she had the right skills to make it to the interview stage but heard nothing back.
Lamar said: “I saw the article about Erin and it interested me. As I was coming out of graduation I was facing a lot of difficulties. I was diagnosed with autism in 2012. Unfortunately, a lot of jobs have an environment that is not good for neurodivergent people. Take hospitality for example. There is a lot of pressure and a lot of things you have to focus on. It can be quite difficult.
“My advice for Erin is to try to stay positive. It can be very difficult and there will be different levels that people understand. It is very difficult to give precise advice as I don’t know Erin personally but I’d tell her to sell herself on her strengths.”
Lamar said he got into photography as he focused on it after his graduation. He said that there are a lot of similarities between his current job and his degree in maths and physics.
He added: “For me, photography is both an art and a science. It was very interesting to look at the art from that perspective. With physics, you look at how a camera works and all these different ways of doing things. In maths, you are taking conventional ideas and applying them to new ideas. You have a model of how to do something to solve a problem. That’s how I approach photography.
“My favourite subject to photograph are cityscapes, especially at night. There is that sensory environment and you can do a lot of work. I really enjoy capturing candid moments, too.”
He said that it was often difficult to run the business. He thanked The Prince’s Trust for supporting him during his business. He added: “Over Covid, it was a tough year. I have been very fortunate as new opportunities have come through after that. I really want to thank The Prince’s Trust. They have been instrumental in helping me organise the business. They helped meet my confidence up and showed me how to promote myself “I don’t really know Burton and Swadlincote all that well but I have done a little work in the Brewhouse before. I have done some stage photography for them a few years ago.”
The National Autistic society says just 29 per cent of autistic people were in any type of work and this was a “huge and unacceptable waste of talent.” One in 100 people in the UK are on the autistic spectrum, according to the society. The extent of the disability can vary greatly and many with the condition go on to lead normal lives, including finding employment.
It is very difficult to give precise advice as I don’t know Erin personally but I’d tell her to sell herself on her strengths. Lamar