If you have a "special needs" child, who is the age where pe

How about, he's still choosing his path.

We aren't at that point yet - DS is 14. I have anxiety about his post school age because of what you are dealing with right now. He will be 19 1/2 when he finishes high school. I will be interested in the suggestions you get.

This question comes up SO often, doesn't it?

The thing is, for various reasons, not all high school graduates are going to college. Or even thinking of going to college. I went to lunch last week with a group of women who all have "going to college age kids" and some are going away, some are going to the local community college, some are going to work, some are going into the military, and some are still trying to figure out what they are going to do and some aren't ready to go to college. There are a ton of reasons why a kid is doing what they are doing. One thing that was common to all of us was how we almost felt ... embarrassed? to admit that are kids are doing something beyond the traditional path.

What I learned is that we all have all kinds of experiences and different kind of kids and no one, not even those that appear to have the perfect family/kids are immune from kids flunking out of college or working where ever they can. They just don't talk about it.  I guess I say this so you don't think that what ever you chose to respond with is going to get judged in any kind of way (except by that random old biddy that judges everyone for everything.) We shouldn't have to feel like we have to justify our children's paths to anyone, and once you start opening up, I bet you will find that there are others just like you.

Since he is working for his grandfather I'd just say that for now he is working in the family business.

My dd finishes traditional school in 2016 and when people ask I just tell them that she will be doing an extended schooling focusing on vocational training.

Focus on his job and don't worry about your answers to their questions, it doesn't really matter anyway. If they become close friends they will figure it all out on their own and if they don't then no harm no foul.

Congrats on your sons job, my dd wants to work so badly but its just not time yet. Thankfully her social worker talked to her so I didn't have to be the one to say no this time!