Resources
Useful links for families with adults with autism.
Residential:
Despite the ever-increasing wait lists, inadequate housing options, and lack of lifelong opportunities, there is a movement of sustainable, high quality, residential choices emerging. Hundreds of everyday people across the country are taking the future into their own hands and creating amazing futures for adults with autism and others with intellectual/developmental disabilities.
Who Decides Where Autistic Adults Live?
For many intellectually and developmentally disabled people, large campuses or farmsteads may be better options than small group homes. But new state laws could make it hard for big facilities to survive.
Group Homes and Residential Supports for People with Autism
A description of the types of of group homes, supportive living, supervised living, farmstead programs, community living options, family teaching model, cooperatives, shared housing and other residential models.
A Place of Their Own: Residential Services for Soon-to-be Adults With Autism
An unprecedented number of families will soon watch their children with autism leave school and flood the adult disability system. Up to a half million children with autism will reach adulthood in the next decade, according to estimates.
Employment:
A new job portal designed to promote inclusive employment of the autism community by matching job seekers with businesses, as well as employment service providers.
Rocky Road: The Career Paths of People With Autism and Their Parents
Find out what research says about the effect of autism on job histories – and how some parents and adults with ASD have responded to the challenge.
Where Is Autism Employment Heading In 2017?
What employment assistance or initiatives offer the greatest promise? If you want to help someone you know who is part of the neurodiverse workforce what should you be doing in 2017?
New Programs Let Adults With Autism Find Meaningful Work
Between 2002 and 2011, the number of individuals with autism seeking vocational services that could help them find such work rose nearly eight-fold. Yet despite support from vocational rehabilitation programs, people with autism receive low wages and limited working hours. Something needs to change.
Community:
Safety in the Community for Youth and Adults with ASD
As individuals with ASD approach young adulthood, they may want to be involved and explore the community environment more independently. As a parent or caregiver, it is your responsibility to make sure you’re providing the skills they need to be as safe as possible.
Autism Into Adulthood — Making the Transition
Children with autism mature into adults who want to attend college, work, and have a social life. What services are needed to help them achieve these milestones? Includes information on college and gaps in care.
Social Media and Autism: Building Community or Creating Isolation?
Many adults with autism find it hard to make and keep friends. Although some adults with autism may not feel a strong need to establish many social relationships, others want to be able to engage and form meaningful connections with their peers.
Activities for Autistic Adults
Educational and recreational activities that can enhance a person with autism’s life quality are available in many communities. Learn about activities for autistic adults as well as how to select the right ones for your loved one.