Challenges Adults with Autism Face

Stats Autism accounts for about 1% of the US Population 1 out of every 68 children have a form of Autism Right now 3.5-4 million people in the USA have Autism The USA Government estimates in the next 10 years 500,000 people on the spectrum will reach adulthood 35% of Autistic Adults after graduating high school or getting a GED did not go onto college Unemployment varies but it believed to be between 25-35% Autism is increasing for unknown reasons A lot of children that were diagnosed with ASD are becoming adults

A population getting Older Children that were diagnosed as having Autism are now becoming adults (18 and older) Becoming an Adult and having Autism is very challenging There are not a lot of services out there that help Autistic Adults What is also concerning is not a lot of places (the workforce) appear to be ready for a wave of Adults with Autism Adults with Autism is expected to rapidly increase due to children aging and reaching adulthood

A Population Getting Older DSM IV in the 1990’s gave more understanding on Autism and more children were diagnosed with Autism in the 1990’s. The 1990’s brought more education about Autism and that there were different types or spectrums of Autism As stated this means children born in this decade or now becoming Adults. The USA Governments that over the next 10 years 500,000 people on the ASD will be turning 18

Now What At conferences I have attended one of the questions that is asked is what is going to happen when my Autistic son or daughter turns 18 or gets out of High School? This is a very important question that Parents are having to face? It is also troubling because there is not a lot of services out there for Adults on the Spectrum Some states are trying to change that

What about Employment It is believed that 25-35% of Adults with Autism are unemployed. A study published by USA Today in 2012 showed that 1 out of 3 Autistic Adults were not employed or had not held a job in the past 12 months. The same Study showed that after 4 years of graduating high school or getting a GED The percentage increased to 50% of being unemployed Of all Disabilities Autism has the highest unemployment rates.

Employment Those that do find employment are often fired. The USA Today Article places the percentage to be about 60-70% of Autistic Adults will get fired from a job. The workforce is often brutal for those on the spectrum due to discrimination, bullying, targeting and getting fired. The workforce can also be challenging due to sensory and social obstacles that go along with having Autism

What about College Even though more adults on the spectrum are attending college the number is still low. Only 35% of Autistic Adults attend college That is the highest among other Disabilities. Other Disabilities had 50% or better of people attending college. Going to college and having Autism is very challenging due to Autism Challenges, financial reasons, and not being accepted by other college students

Why so low College Attendance Autism no matter the form is very challenging. College is supposed to be a time of not just learning but socializing as well. Thus social and sensory issues often come up when a person with Autism is attending school Another biggest reason is expenses. Going to school is very expensive According to an Article in the Chicago Tribune in 2012 only 1 out of 6 people with Autism came from families making over 75,000 a year. These families were more likely to have had their Autistic children in early intervention and knew more services

Other Adult Challenges Financial challenges are a huge challenge in the Autistic Population due to the high unemployment numbers Researchers in 2009/2010 estimated that over 163,000 Adults on the Spectrum live below the poverty line of making under 20,000 a year It is estimated that number is much higher now though know exact figure is unknown. Some Researchers estimate the percentage to be about 30%

Other Challenges Some on the spectrum require support caregivers to help them in daily living functions. As their caregivers age this puts more questions on what will happen to them 78% of Autistic Adults are male compared to 22% female. Relationships-Majority of Autistics want to have a relationship. But due to the social problems a high percentage of Autistics are single Trauma- We now know that Trauma is being more emphasized. Those on the spectrum often have had traumatic events.

Other challenges Adults on the spectrum are two to three times more likely to be abused or be in an abusive relationship again creating Trauma Diabetes-Researches are know believing that Autism and Diabetes are linked. Diabetes occurs in about 40% of the Autistic population according to some researchers. This is fairly new research field

Challenges Acceptance is a huge issue. Most on the spectrum want to be accepted and seen as members of Society Due to the media blaming Autistics on mass shootings and violence there has been a lot of negative attitudes toward the Autistic community Despite more people knowing about Autism. People often think Autistics are monsters, prone to violence. This again adds to the high unemployment rates, firings, and challenges of attending school.

My Story I am an Adult who has Autism. Like some Adults I was not correctly diagnosed until I was 23 years old. Thought it was speculated I had Autism at the age of 4. I went through a period of grief and anger. Because I knew What Autism was for about 3 years I was ashamed of my Autism. I had to rely on my Christian faith a lot. It was my Christian faith that I realized who I was

My Story Continued Despite the odds I went on to earn my Bachelors in Biology and get my Masters in Student life and Development I now consider myself an Autism Advocate and emerging Civil Rights activist for those in the Autistic Community. I would love to see more Autistic Adults go to college.

What can you do? Be your own Advocate. I had to learn to be my own Advocate and know my rights. A lot of people I have talked to do not know the Disability Rights Act. I would highly recommend reading and learning about the Disability Rights Act. Especially for those on the Spectrum getting ready to attend college or know someone who will Learn about your State’s resources

What can you do If you know someone who has Autism and is an Adult or have a loved one. Be their advocate as well. Also contact legislators. Legislation will most likely be needed in the near future. Learn what others are going through. Form support groups and right ideas. Then contact your state politicians. Do not be afraid to help the adult with Autism either. Also if you have an Autistic child that is about 15 or 16 You need to start planning for Adulthood and exploring after high school life.