Day 16: School/Work

As if getting the diagnosis and fighting for services for a child on the spectrum isn't hard enough, school and work present more challenges as time goes on. Autism does not go away and it can't be cured. Problems can be mitigated and new behaviors can be learned. Still, it takes a village.

Students on the spectrum can be ostracized, have social difficulties, and feel rejected by their peers. They can develop depression or other problems that can inhibit their academic work. We've come a long way from the dark ages of people being locked away in mental institutions, and autism is a popular topic now. There are even three different shows on TV that I can think of - The Good Doctor, The A Word, Atypical. Even with all this awareness we need more acceptance. I'm hopeful that this positive trend will continue.

Transitioning to college can be difficult, but more and more colleges - RIT and CMU, for example - are putting up special programs to help autistic students. This is also a positive trend.

The next step is working on transitioning from school to work - schools are connecting with nonprofits like Specialisterne to help develop models of training for schools and employers to help cross the bridge. More and more employers are helping, too. These students need training in interviewing and the realities of the workplace, and employers need to learn how to accommodate their autistic new hires by training management and staff.

If you're interested in helping, look for a local nonprofit in your area like Abilities First, Arc, Autism Society of America, or call a local high school or college and ask if they have a special program to help kids transition from grade school to college to work. You can help by going and talking about your work, reviewing resumes, or helping the students interview.