Junior in HS with low IQ - what happens after HS?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My oldest has a lower IQ. College really isn’t a realistic plan for lots of kids, mine included. We recognized this by the beginning of HS so I helped him figure out what he might like to study in our public vo tech.

He was able to graduate from HS with lots of support. Then through a National trade association, he got a full scholarship to a community college trade program - no tests required, just all hands on training and it was over a two year period instead of some of the more well known one year programs. The slower pace was definitely a great decision because the faster pace would have been too hard and frustrating.

He’s worked full time since HS but the biggest issue I’ve found is that he got taken advantage of and treated unfairly to the point of wage and hour type violations and unauthorized payroll deductions. So I helped him get a county union job. Now he earns a living wage, has health insurance and has paid leave and a pension.

It’s been a tough road but he’s highly successful and he grew up to be a great person. I think the key for us was recognizing his deficits and helping him find a direction that would work for him.

Being in public school there is also a lot of transitional support and post HS assistance. My son didn’t use them - his vo tech provided similar services for their kids.

Anyway, good luck. The trades are a great alternative if your goal is independence and earning a living wage. But, unlike a PP’s plumber relative, my son won’t be rich. His disabilities will always limit his outcome.

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What do girls with low iqs do? Yes, I know they can do apprenticeship programs and go into the trades as well. But let’s be honest, these jobs do not appeal to many girls. Are there any jobs outside the blue collar trades, that provide a liveable wage, and can be performed by someone with a low iq?

I know of two girls who fit this profile, and one works in childcare and the other is a hair stylist. Other options they considered were retail and food service (specifically working in a small wholesale bakery - not particularly fast paced, other staff around to provide direction as needed).

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My oldest has a lower IQ. College really isn’t a realistic plan for lots of kids, mine included. We recognized this by the beginning of HS so I helped him figure out what he might like to study in our public vo tech.

He was able to graduate from HS with lots of support. Then through a National trade association, he got a full scholarship to a community college trade program - no tests required, just all hands on training and it was over a two year period instead of some of the more well known one year programs. The slower pace was definitely a great decision because the faster pace would have been too hard and frustrating.

He’s worked full time since HS but the biggest issue I’ve found is that he got taken advantage of and treated unfairly to the point of wage and hour type violations and unauthorized payroll deductions. So I helped him get a county union job. Now he earns a living wage, has health insurance and has paid leave and a pension.

It’s been a tough road but he’s highly successful and he grew up to be a great person. I think the key for us was recognizing his deficits and helping him find a direction that would work for him.

Being in public school there is also a lot of transitional support and post HS assistance. My son didn’t use them - his vo tech provided similar services for their kids.

Anyway, good luck. The trades are a great alternative if your goal is independence and earning a living wage. But, unlike a PP’s plumber relative, my son won’t be rich. His disabilities will always limit his outcome.

Before I got to the end of your bolded sentence that was my thought. A union job whether independent or some kind of government is absolutely a wonderful choice, especially for lower IQ people. They are protected all around and have benefits and something to take care of them in old age. Not to be scoffed at.

[Anonymous]

One of my cousins was assessed as having a low IQ and ADHD. High school was a huge struggle for him; post high school life has actually been much easier in a lot of ways. He got a job working construction and has been very successful - he's personable, a hard worker, and takes direction well, all characteristics that make him in demand in the construction world. He was able to buy a condo (note - not DC metro - much lower cost of living area) in his early 20's with help sorting out the logistics from his parents and is quite happy.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Help him to get an apprenticeship. Traditional school is not his thing, stop forcing it. Make sure he had real life skills to support himself. Tradesmen can make lots of money and you don't need an MBA to own your own business. He needs to learn where to go for information rather than having or processing the information himself- just like Henry Ford. He doesn't need to be smart to surround himself with smart people.

Agreed. We have many lawyers and doctors in my family, but my plumber uncle is the richest of us all. Happiest too, and retired the earliest.

An apprenticeship in a trade is great. Electrician might be beyond him, but HVAC or something. It can’t be outsourced and it’s a long way from AI stealing it, so it’s fairly future proof too.

+1
This is good advice.

[Anonymous]

G&A jobs in companies and government. Customer Support rep / Sales assistant.
Lots of jobs where all you do is move papers between folders and tell someone that someone else called. Especially if you look nice for facing clients.

Retail. Janitorial.