What should you expect for your child with autism after high school? In short, a life that provides as much independence as possible. Expectations for the adult lives of people with disabilities have changed greatly in a relatively short period of time. Until very recently, the norm for people with disabilities after they finished secondary…
OAR’s new guide for parents offers advice on how to help siblings of children with autism overcome the challenges they face. One of the biggest challenges these children and teenagers face is when their outside world, like school and friends, collides with their home life. Bringing friends over for a playdate or having peers ask,…
For parents in the autism community, managing transitions and change seems to be a constant focus. Anticipating, preparing for, and coping with the potential unpleasantries of the unknown and the unexpected can require a lot of energy. While school typically provides a great deal of structure and predictability, each fall brings new teachers, classrooms, and…
Every day as the parent of children on the autism spectrum is a new adventure. Our family recently had one of those adventures when I was asked to speak at our township’s Memorial Day event. After I completed my speech, I walked down to be with my family for the laying of flowers on the…
While it takes a village to raise a child, you may feel like you need an entire country to raise a super hero. My husband and I do. We have established an entire team of doctors, professionals, teachers, and advisors to help us with tough decisions when it comes to dealing with Jake and his…
More recent research indicates that the outlook is still relatively bleak: 35 percent of individuals with autism do not participate in any work or school activities in the first six years after high school, slightly more than half of adults with autism had ever worked for pay outside the home, and just over 20 percent…
Difficulty with social skills and trouble developing and maintaining meaningful relationships are known to be a central issue for those on the autism spectrum. Romantic relationships in particular may be challenging, with the majority of adults with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) living without a romantic partner. Despite the myth that people with ASD are less…
A number of factors affect how successful a child with autism can be in school. A solid educational plan, supportive classroom teachers, and effective instructional supports all come to mind. However, even when all those pieces are in place, social interaction can still be a major stumbling block for many students on the spectrum. If…
