Triveni Goswami Vernal
Registered Special Educator (A64010)

Continuing with the series on Self-Employment Opportunities for the Neurodiverse, today’s blog will look at Data Entry and Handicrafts, as possible vocational options.
Learning to type is not only an important vocational skill, but also a very important means of communication. Although traditionally, writing has always been paid much more importance, but in this day and age and especially for the non-speaking neurodiverse population, typing is a skill worth teaching them.

1) DATA ENTRY: Typing as a vocational skill can be put to use in jobs that require Data Entry. Data Entry involves the process of entering information or updating records in a database, via a computer. Some of the pre-requisite skills are good eye-hand coordination, fine motor and gross motor skills, visual processing, visual tracking, familiarity with operating a computer system, the ability to type, navigate the keyboard etc. The data to be entered could be just words, or numbers or both. So, familiarity with sequencing, order, basic literacy and basic numeracy may also be required.

Source of image: https://www.freepik.com/free-photos-vectors/data-entry

ONLINE COURSES AND RESOURCES ON DATA ENTRY WORK:

https://www.udemy.com/course/data-entry-course-for-beginners-become-virtual-assistant/
https://alison.com/tag/data-entry
https://iisdt.in/product/data-entry-operatordeo/
https://www.flexjobs.com/blog/post/how-data-entry-certifications-and-training-programs-work/
https://www.omdataentryindia.com/blog/what-is-data-entry-types-of-data-entry-in-india.html


2) CREATING HANDMADE CRAFTS: Creating handmade crafts and artefacts for home and office can also be a vocational option for many. Most crafts require good eye-hand coordination, good finger grip, fine motor skills like picking things with fingers, sorting things, sequencing them in a pattern etc and gross motor skills, such as using the arm to place things together or pull them apart etc. Examples of some crafts that can be made at home are:

a) Paper Crafts: Making handmade greeting cards, wrapping paper, envelopes, folders, pen stands etc.

Source of image: https://community.glowforge.com/t/paper-envelopes-with-custom-dimensions/102779

b) Glass Mirror Art: This technique involves pasting glass mirrors of various shapes on a wooden/ MDF base and then covering it with a layer of cement/grout mix and then cleaning off the excess. It can be used to embellish various décor and utility items for home and office (trays, coasters, mirrors, photo frames etc)

Source of image: https://www.amazon.in/Craftingbees-Triangle-Shape-Glass-Mirror/dp/B0BTC5XV15?th=1

c) Decoupage Art: Decoupage is a technique of French origin. It involves pasting layers of thin paper napkins with a decoupage glue on various surfaces, like wood/metal/ fabric and then painting the background, in such a way that it seamlessly blends in.

Source of Image: https://coorgbasket.com/product/flowers-decoupage-art-bottle/

d) Weaving: Weaving on a small loom with wool, is another option that can be explored. Lots of smaller items can be made on a small sized loom, like bookmarks, coasters etc.

Source of Image: https://www.muezart.in/products/tapestry-weaving-loom

ONLINE RESOURCES FOR HANDMADE CRAFTS:

https://www.wikihow.com/Make-an-Envelope
https://www.kendrajohn.com/diy-envelope/
https://www.wikihow.com/Make-a-Paper-Folder
https://www.instructables.com/Colourful-Hexagonal-Pen-Holder-From-Paper/
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qKMZSoQKBrA
https://hobbyindia.store/collections/best-selling-craft-mirror-for-lippan-art-and-diy
https://www.instructables.com/Mud-Mirror-Art/
https://growingcraft.com/blogs/decoupage-art-tutorial-learning/how-to-do-decoupage-art
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLH4QlvLvT_BMA2W2yPflWjGG5VFs0Enlu
https://itsybitsy.in/collections/decoupage
https://www.muezart.in/products/tapestry-weaving-loom


Thus, we see that there are several avenues for self-employment, that can be explored by the neurodiverse population, depending on their skills, level of interest and ability.

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Author Triveni Goswami Vernal

Triveni Goswami Vernal is an Autism advocate, registered Special Educator (CRR A64010) and an Independent Researcher. Her areas of interest include Autism, Disability Rights, Gender, Art and Northeast studies. She is a mum to an 12 year old on the Autism Spectrum.