As autism prevalence increases and more children on the spectrum mature to adulthood, the need for services that help autistic adults lead independent and fulfilling lives is becoming an increasingly urgent concern. While many interventions help autistic kids and their families navigate the challenges of childhood and adolescence, there has been comparatively little progress made as it concerns long-term, sustainable outcomes for these individuals. As we continue to gain a deeper understanding of autism, it’s becoming an unavoidable reality that current treatment programs are not equipping kids with the critical skills they need to flourish in adulthood.
This leaves autistic adults and their families at a loss for how to plan the future. Compounding the issue, federal regulations aimed at promoting inclusion in communities for adults with disabilities have created restrictions around where individuals can live and with whom they can live, often making this process much more challenging than it needs to be.
While early intervention has improved and should continue to do so, it’s time that we, as an industry, consider how treatment should evolve to serve autistic individuals beyond high school graduation. I believe this issue is an emergent characteristic of a neurotypical outlook that presupposes the solutions needed are somehow fundamentally different for autistic and neurodiverse individuals. The reality is that as we grow into adulthood, we all—with very few exceptions—want the same things out of life: independence, security, self-determination, meaningful relationships, and dignified employment.
So, how do we orient autism services to create these outcomes for autistic adults?
Emphasize higher education:
It’s true that education after high school might not be a fit or priority everyone, but for many individuals with autism, it is assumed that college is not an option. The opposite is true. With effective preparation and the right support system, autistic individuals can not only attend college but also find success. But, this preparation cannot be an afterthought of intervention.
Think of your own experience in preparing for college. There were probably colleges you imagined attending while in middle school. By freshman year of high school, many of us were already planning class schedules and extracurriculars to make our transcripts more appealing to Deans of Admissions across the country. College visits were planned by the end of sophomore year. SAT prep by junior year. All capped off by the final application process. There is no reason autistic individuals with college aspirations shouldn’t follow a similar preparatory path. It’s on service providers to start early in mapping a path to college that is specific to the needs of the individual they are serving.
First, it’s important for students and their families to recognize how high schools and colleges differ in their support for individuals on the spectrum. In high school, educators are generally more empowered to adopt changes and to deliver an individualized curriculum to help individual students learn and succeed. However, in college, the rules change.
Every U.S. college and university that accepts federal funding is required to provide “reasonable” support for students with disabilities. It’s the interpretation of the word “reasonable” that muddies the institutional support picture on college campuses. The support autistic individuals have access to in college will vary by institution, complicating the decision-making process. It’s important that families and providers know how to determine which schools will provide the support system the individual needs. A simple call to the college’s disabilities services department is a good start. Ideally, providers with an eye on the future like this would have this resource readily available. Unfortunately, we are not there yet.
Additionally, when a student goes off to college, self-advocacy becomes increasingly important. With a new degree of independence, students will be tasked with asking for the support they need. It’s something that many neurotypical individuals take for granted. We’re often vocal about our needs and have little trouble articulating what those needs are. The same isn’t always true for autistic individuals.
There is sometimes a hesitancy to disclose a disability for fear of repercussions socially or from professors. Disclosure is a behavior that can be practiced and conditioned by service providers long before high school graduation is on the horizon. A student who arrives well prepared with a list of conditions that help him or her perform better (such as not switching lab partners on a weekly basis or the need to get up and walk out of the classroom to take a break) will be better positioned for a successful experience.
There are many different programs and opportunities for young adults on the spectrum who are looking to keep learning. But like for all students, considering college, finding the right institutional fit, and preparing for a self-directed future needs to become accordingly and fully integrated into intervention.
Employment
One essential aspect of leading an independent and fulfilling life is gainful employment. We’ve made progress on the hireability of autistic individuals and the contributions they are able to make in the workplace. Many major companies like Microsoft, Ford, and Ernst & Young have recognized the unique and impactful skills autistic individuals can add to their business.
The unfortunate thing is, these kinds of opportunities are few and far between for many autistic adults. The prevailing (and harmful) perception among the public regarding autistic individuals in the world of work is rooted in the savant trope perpetuated by popular media—think the show The Good Doctor, starring Freddie Highmore as the autistic and brilliant surgical resident Sean Murphy.
This is not to say those people don’t exist or that they themselves are stifling real progress, but the idea that only the most extreme outliers on the spectrum are employable only applies to autistic individuals. “Genius” is rarely—if ever—a qualifier for neurotypical individuals seeking gainful employment. And it’s this disparity in perception that underlines the yawning gap in unemployment levels among autistic individuals relative to the national average. The national unemployment rate sits around 4.5% on a rolling basis. That rate skyrockets north of 80% for adults with autism.
The work that needs to be done to shift this perception is a far more broad and complicated discussion. Yet, we can exclude this harmful trope from intervention programs by doing more than just managing behaviors. Caregivers should treat every autistic individual as though gainful employment will be a part of their future. Those jobs can range from programming wizard with Microsoft to more modest, everyday jobs that still need to be done. There is dignity in work. Full stop.
That said, much like college considerations, it’s important to identify, control, and amplify the skills the individual possesses before charting a course to the future. Does the child like patterns and routines? Are they particularly good with computers? Do they have a knack for organization? Perhaps they are artistically inclined. If caregivers, providers, and even the children themselves can identify these preferences and passions early on, they can work to identify potential career paths and hone the requisite skills. Starting these conversations in middle school, long before the job hunt, and practicing with volunteer jobs and mentoring can lead to much better results!
Pairing a person with a job based on skill set and preference will lead to more long-term fulfillment and better retention. This is an area where we, as an industry, can improve. Additionally, raising more awareness in companies to promote neurodiversity is also important. We’re seeing progress, but we need more businesses than giant corporations who can afford to take the “risk” on neurodiversity to get involved in the solution. Small- to medium-sized businesses need to embrace neurodiversity. For our part, we can get a headstart on preparing autistic individuals with the necessary tools to be appealing candidates for any career they are able to pursue.
Independent Living
Independent living can start when a young adult goes to college and made more vital when one starts to work. But, no one inherently possesses the skills to succeed on their own. For neurotypical individuals, these routines, habits, skills, abilities, and coping mechanisms are accrued through a lifetime of teaching and preparation.
Some of the foundational behaviors like hygiene, communication, and self-care are already core curricula of treatment. A friend of mine, Mari-Anne Kehler, talks about “citizenship”—teaching our kids from a young age to do for themselves, to participate in family routines, and to contribute to our society. Reinforcing this concept of citizenship is a critical next step for truly independent living. All parents have a tendency to do things for their child because it’s often quicker and easier in the context of a busy, complicated life. But, in the long run, dedicating the time and patience to help the child become as independent as possible at a young age will create a better long-term, self-directed future.
The other key component of independent living is access to housing, which is often a tragic challenge for autistic adults. Research at Drexel University in Philadelphia has found that nearly half of all adults on the autism spectrum live at home, and only 10% live independently. It does not need to and should not be this way. Depending on the needs of adults on the spectrum, there are homes and communities where autistic individuals can live while getting the support they need to thrive, like First Place in Phoenix.
Still, while more and more supportive housing communities are popping up across the country, housing remains an area that needs significant investment and improvement. Parents should not be solely responsible for creating and developing these housing options for their children. It’s to the benefit of society at large that all of us assist in creating inclusive communities that can provide support and independence for autistic adults.
Investor Involvement
The autism services industry is growing. As needed advancements are being made to help individuals prepare for higher education and employment, the industry needs savvy, smart, and socially conscious investors to get involved. Not only can you make positive financial returns, but you can also make a positive difference in the lives of adults with autism and their families.
Want to learn more? Check out my book, Autism Matters, and learn how you can get involved.