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Transition to Adulthood

Let’s face it… most kids with autism will grow into adults who need at least some, if not significant help. An institutionalized home seems like an extraordinarily cruel and hopeless long term place for an adult, and thankfully more and more adults are getting assistance and contributing in our everyday world. 

What opportunites are out there?  More companies are reserving employtment opportunities for disabled and mentally impaired people.  Local MRDD boards have job placement programs and assist people in landing those jobs, usually with a occupational aide to assist. Many of these jobs are away from customers, but allow the person to interact with other employees and learn responsibility.

Many autism adults remain in their parent’s home, and some take on volunteer work to promote physical activity and social skills. 

Among the companies famous for promoting their special needs job program is Walmart.  Which other companies do you know which assist adults with autism in job skills training?  And who do you reccommend for more information on transitioning to adulthood?

Thanks

JEROD

Hi, Jerod,

I think it is critical that two things be done to help those of us with AS transition into adulthood.

One is supporting us find and keep appropriate jobs, understanding our strengths and limitations.

The second is much greater awareness by the mental health profession that we desperately need services which at present are nowhere to be found.

As to (1) I know you understand that autism is a spectrum, from the severely affected to the very high functioning.  Having said this, I have seen so many of us on the spectrum with tremendous talents that have difficulty finding or keeping a job.  Almost all of this difficulty stems from our social impairments both getting a job, and in the “social” duties that can be expected when we land a job.

I’m fortunate to have a job programming computers.  I have a good work ethic, and good programming skills, and have completed many projects on time and on budget for clients who are thrilled with my work.  But even in this job, I’ve told my manager, who is aware of my AS, that he should not put me in charge of projects, because typically those of us with AS do not do well when we are placed in charge of other people.

Accommodations can be as simple as this.  He really appreciated my letting him know this.  It’s a win for everyone.  He could see and understand my limitation, it was easy to work around, and he could see I was thinking about the good of the organization in telling him this.

We often have special interests.  I’m fortunate mine is computers.  I think we really can do great work, with our attention to detail, perserveration (which can help us work long and hard at something), and our desire for accuracy.  If we can find a job that suits our special interest, I really think we can be a great asset requiring minimal supports.

As to (2), AS is a neurological disorder.  But don’t think for a second that it doesn’t have psychological implications.  We can be very aware of our differences and their implications.  This can get us very depressed.  Although counselling will never cure our AS, it can be essential in helping us, and our families, and our children, get through some very rough times.  At present, there are almost NO psychiatrists, psychologists, counsellors or therapist with any awareness of AS, despite it having been in the DSM for over 15 years.

Helping mental health professionals become more aware of AS could be a huge help to both those of us with AS, and those close to us.  This would be a huge benefit in helping us transition to adulthood, with it’s increased demands.  Often these demands are in areas of our greatest weaknesses, and we can need professional help coping with these increased demands.

Thanks for including adults in your special.  Not everyone is aware that right now today there are a tremendous amount of us out there.

Chris (cmaspt on Twitter)

This is a very good question, and a need that needs to be addressed.  Our kids with Autism, and kids with ALL disablities, grow up before our eyes, and then need to find their place in our communities.  I think parents need to be made aware of their options when kids are in jr. high, and be able to think about things then.  What employers need to realize is that, in my experience and from talking to others in our community, is that teens, and young adults with Autism are very eager to please, are very loyal, punctual, and willing to learn.  People are always complaining about not being able to count on “teenagers because they aren’t reliable.“  Well, here’s your answer to that problem!!!