TRANSITION OF ADOLESCENTS WITH AUTISM IN TO ADULTHOOD
EDUCATION, EMPLOYMENT, SUPPORTRD AND INDEPENDENT LIVING
Adolescents with autism and their families experience a significant increase in the number of challenges encountered when leaving the structure of the formal education system.
The studies done give an understanding of the factors, parents and professionals consider as important in preparing for transition of adolescents with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) to adulthood;these include higher education, health, vocational, and residential arrangements.
The findings revealed that there was a need for advocacy on behalf of learners with ASD transitioning into adult working and living environments. The needs for curriculum transformation from basic literacy skills to development and teaching of functional self-help and daily living skills.
The results also indicated lack of planning and the absence of service facilities for adolescents with autism post-school. Transition of adolescents with autism into adulthood is a challenging and stressful time for parents and professionals involved in trying to prepare them. With appropriate attention and support structures, individuals with autism can attain a reasonable quality of life, including residential, employment, and social opportunities.
Following links can navigate one to gain more knowledge on the specific
Characteristics and issues- http://www.worksupport.com/documents/JVRautismSchall_McDonough.pdf
Transition from School- http://journals.sagepub.com/doi/abs/10.1177/1044207313518071
http://journals.sagepub.com/doi/pdf/10.1177/1053451210369521
Employment- https://www.autismspeaks.org/family-services/adult-services/three-employment-tools
https://www.autismspeaks.org/family-services/tool-kits/employment
Community Living- https://www.autismspeaks.org/sites/default/files/documents/transition/community_living.pdf
Health- Depression –https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpsyt.2018.00041/full
Health- Vitamin D Deficiency- https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpsyt.2016.00168/full