Resources scarce for young adults with autism, indicates survey

[HuckleB]

http://weblogs.baltimoresun.com/health/2011/02/resources_scarce_for_young_adu.html

"With autism diagnoses on the rise, services for children have increased as doctors, therapists and parents try to find effective treatment for the complex disorder.

But new research suggests that the wealth of resources targeting children with autism tends to decline after high school, begging the question: what happens to autistic children once they reach adulthood?

Nearly 40 percent of all young adults examined in a survey of 680 19- to 23-year-olds had not received medical services, mental health services, case management or therapy, according to a study published this week in the Archives of Pediatrics & Adolescent Medicine.

African Americans and low-income people with autism were even less likely to access services, the researchers from Washington University in St. Louis found.

..."


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This needs to change, IMO.

[LeftishBrit]

1. This is an all too frequent problem for young people with special needs

As long as they are of compulsory school age, a certain amount of provision is guaranteed, but afterwards they can be seriously neglected. Add to that the stereotype of the 'autistic child'- many people simply never think of autistic adults - and you get a big problem; especially at times of economic cuts. I agree, it definitely needs to change.

[HuckleB]

2. Indeed.

Far too many people who could thrive with just a little help during the transition to adulthood are left wanting. Ugh.

[Odin2005]

3. Of course, because people are to obsessed with "curing" autistic kids.

As if us autistic adults did not exist. :grr:

[HuckleB]

4. Indeed. -eom-

[uppityperson]

5. I'd rather the focus be on helping parents and kids work with who and how they are

How to be not one of the "average" people. As if there is such a thing beyond a few. There is a wide range of how we are, unfortunately many want all to fit into a narrow range.