“I’m out here earning respect. I have confidence and motivation to do a good job at work and in my own personal life every day. And I just get the job done.”

That’s Tyler now. He’s 27, has a job he cares about and feels much more confident in what he can do.

Before coming to Key Community Group, things weren’t going so well. Tyler had been looking for work without much success. He has autism, ADD and associated mental health conditions, and often found that people rushed instructions or explained things in ways that were hard for him to follow.

“My life was pretty aimless and wasted potential. I struggled significantly with my mental health.”

“I believe I can operate effectively like everyone else, but I struggle with how instructions are given to me. My brain doesn’t function the same as everyone else and they don’t have the ability to give me the time I need.”

At Key, Tyler’s Employment Consultant, Tracey, worked with him to search for jobs and prepare his resume and applications. After Tyler found work, the support continued as he settled into the job. Key helped with clothes for work, renewing his First Aid and CPR qualifications, and getting innersoles and an anti-fatigue mat to make his shifts more comfortable. Tracey has also been someone Tyler can talk to when things have felt tricky with colleagues, helping him work through any issues and keep moving forward.

“Key and my support workers allowed me to get a job and really helped me understand and realise the things that really matter in the world.”

Tyler now works at Bellbowrie in Coffs Harbour, where his bosses and colleagues are clear, patient and respectful. The work challenges him, but people take the time to explain what needs to be done and allow him to complete it at his own pace.

“I don’t feel like I’m being treated like someone with a disability because my support workers, bosses and colleagues communicate so well, outlining my objectives without talking down to me or treating me like I’m less.”

Some days are harder than others, but Tyler keeps turning up and doing a job he can feel good about.

“Some days are more difficult than others and I have my challenges with my disability. But I’m out here earning respect.”

Outside work, Tyler volunteers at the Coffs Snappers Rugby Union Club. He goes along independently and helps out in different ways on match days.

Tyler isn’t thinking too far ahead. For now, he’s happy taking each day as it comes and focusing on what’s in front of him.

“I don’t like thinking about the future. I like taking things one day at a time and staying present in the moment.”

Or, as Tyler puts it: “Take what you can get and roll with it.”