People with neuropsychiatric disabilities, such as ADHD or autism, in many cases have greater difficulties in getting into working life.
In Helsingborg, since two years ago, the municipality has been running a special initiative, called Code-x, to help people with a NPF diagnosis into working life.
– I am almost 40 years old, but I see the future very brightly, says Peter Gustafsson, who is studying to become a system developer.
With a chaotic school year behind him, Peter Gustafsson received his ADHD diagnosis as an adult. Even in working life, it has often been difficult to fit in.
– I react very quickly, so there have been quite a few fights with managers and colleagues. For example, they have said something that was meant as a joke, but I have not understood it and reacted strongly. Something that has led to unnecessary conflicts and that I have not always been able to keep my job, says Peter Gustafsson.
But with diagnosis and medication, life has been simplified and now he is studying to become a system developer.
Special investment – helps people with an NPF diagnosis
In Helsingborg, since two years ago, the municipality has made a special effort to help people like Peter, with neuropsychiatric disabilities, NPF, to get out into working life. Among other things, they organize a fair for jobs in the tech industry, where the first hour is dedicated to job seekers with NPF diagnoses, who may need a calmer environment and sometimes even help with starting conversations.
Peter Gustafsson thinks he receives good treatment when he visits the fair.
– Those I have met here have understood that they have to come forward and talk to someone and not vice versa. There are actually very nice employers here, he says, looking around the premises.
Recruiter: It’s sad to see
Ikea is one of the employers at the fair. There, it has been seen that people who are qualified for the positions advertised, may not even dare to respond to the job advertisements.
– There is so much competence and it is a bit sad to see that not everyone dares to venture out and does not believe in themselves, says Kristofer Rönlund, who works to find talent to recruit to Ikea.
When the education is finished, Peter Gustafsson hopes that he will find a wise employer – and he has hope of succeeding.
– This didn’t exist before, so it’s progress. It can lead to us getting good jobs and educations. I am almost 40 years old, but I see the future very brightly, he says.