These are two stories that typically merit separate posts, but they clearly share a central theme and so I decided to put them together. Growing up on the Autism Spectrum is difficult; for the individual, for parents, educators, siblings and friends. It is made (relatively) easier by the degree to which that individual has support; financial, emotional, institutional or otherwise. The harsh reality of new-found adult status can be jarring, if not entirely all-consuming and down-right depressing at times. Gone are many of those supports that each individual has literally needed to make the progress that they have. Gone also are many of the dreams of childhood; that unique innocence that sparks each autistic child to work towards something off in the distance.
As a society, we need to have a plan to integrate young adults on the spectrum into that same civilized society. Assistance with job placement? Yes!…
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