A YOUNG chef is being denied the chance to show what he can do in the kitchen because he suffers with a speech disorder, his mother has claimed.

Carrie Young, of Plains Field, Braintree, says son Connor, 21, has already been rejected by numerous employers because of his verbal dyspraxia and is being unfairly ignored because of his condition.

The disorder, which develops in children, affects how a person uses their muscles to talk and makes it difficult for them to communicate with others.

Despite suffering with learning disabilities during his time at school, Connor, a former Colchester Institute student, is now a qualified chef after getting a level three diploma in hospitality.

However, his job hunt is proving far less successful and with employers continually shunning him, his mother has hit at attitudes towards people with disabilities in the work place.

Carrie said: "The whole process is difficult. He applies for a job and then they phone him up which he finds really hard. He has been given a couple of interviews but no one is giving him a chance. He went to one the other day just to be turned away and not even interviewed for a job that was advertised.

"My son didn’t even get a chance to show all paperwork they just insisted that the job wouldn’t be suitable for him because he’s too quiet.

"There's lots said about helping people with disabilities but not enough is done to help them in the work place.

"They are important too in this world and should not be ignored or fobbed off.

"My son is a good chef but he’s not taken seriously when he’s applying for chef jobs."

Carrie says she always had concerns about Connor's ability to communicate, long before he was diagnosed with verbal dyspraxia at the age of 14.

Despite her concerns about how disabilities are perceived in the workplace, she insists her son encountered no such problems throughout his education, and he even received specialist support when attending Braintree College and Notley High.

Carrie remains hopeful Connor will eventually fulfill his life-long ambition and become a chef.

But as he continues to valiantly send out applications with very little success, she admits it is becoming harder to convince her son that he will one day secure a job in the kitchen.

She added: "His confidence has taken quite a hit and he was quite upset after his last interview.

"It's been quite hard its put a lot of pressure and strain on the family, as well as Connor. He gets frustrated because no one understands him.

"Not many people know about verbal dyspraxia but it can be so hard for anyone suffering with it to communicate.

"I just want someone to give him a chance because he has worked so hard and deserves it. It would mean so much to him to get a job."