Brain & Nervous System Guide to Autism Living With Will My Autistic Child Lead a Normal Life? By Lisa Jo Rudy facebook twitter linkedin Lisa Jo Rudy, MDiv, is a writer, advocate, author, and consultant specializing in the field of autism. Learn about our editorial process Lisa Jo Rudy Reviewed by Reviewed by Amy Morin, LCSW on August 31, 2019 facebook twitter Amy Morin, LCSW, is a psychotherapist, author of the bestselling book "13 Things Mentally Strong People Don't Do," and a highly sought-after speaker. Learn about our Review Board Amy Morin, LCSW Updated on December 02, 2019 Print Table of Contents View All Transition Planning Education Employment Living Arrangements Independent Living Resources and Support The definition of a "normal life" differs from person to person. When the discussion comes up in the context of autism, the term may simply serve as shorthand for a life that allows them to do things like: Pursue an educationHold a jobManage their moneyIndependently perform self-care tasks like cooking dinner Caiaimage / Robert Daly / Getty Images If you're questioning your child with autism's future in relation to these aspects of life, that's completely natural—and important. Gauging their potential for these things is built into autism assessments, transition planning, applications to state and federal agencies, as well as discussions with guidance counselors and financial planners. Asking yourself questions about your child's long-term abilities and goals prior to young adulthood will allow you to better prepare for their transition into independence. While there's no one-size-fits-all plan for the path to adulthood, there are some general steps you can take with (and for) your child to set the foundation for a positive future. Transition Planning Since the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act only provides services to young adults with autism until their 22nd birthday, you'll need to begin transition planning by at least age 16. This allows you to use your child's Individualized Education Plan (IEP) to set goals for every aspect of adult life—including vocational training, postsecondary education, employment, and independent living—and ensure their school district helps prepare them to achieve those goals, as appropriate. An IEP Plan for Transitioning to Adulthood By starting early, you can also make sure that your child receives the proper assessments on her existing skills, strengths, and needs. This may include the following evaluations: Vocational testing (aptitudes and interests)Educational testing (functional use of spoken and written language, math)Community-based skills assessment (functioning independently in the community, including accessing transportation, shopping, finding appropriate help when needed)Adaptive living skills assessment (daily living skills such as grooming, dressing, cooking, cleaning, telling time, etc.) Education If college is part of your child's future, you'll need to make sure she gets her high school diploma or a general education diploma (GED). An IEP diploma is not recognized by institutions of higher education. You'll also need to arrange for your child to take the ACT, SAT, and SAT subject tests, and prepare for any extra support that's needed in preparation for them. In addition, some colleges may require IQ or achievement test scores for your child to receive any accommodations under section 504 of the Vocational Rehabilitation Act. When prepping for postsecondary education, Autism Speaks offers the following helpful hints: Consider dual enrollments, which allows you to take college courses while still in high school.Reach out to local autism organizations to find a list of colleges that offer support for autistic students.Explore the different options, including vocational school, community or junior college, technical institutes, state schools or liberal arts schools, and online courses.Ask the school to help connect you to other students with autism and their families.Visit any potential schools and meet with the college Disability Services Office (DSO) to find out what type of documentation is required, as well as how accommodations differ from those in high school. Autism and Going to College Employment Finding a regular, solid paying job is tough for the best of us, and even more so for people with autism. Luckily, more corporations and industries are recognizing the value of recruiting and hiring adults with disabilities—Ernst and Young, Freddie Mac, Microsoft, Rising Tide, SAP, Walgreens, to name a few. There's still a long way to go, however, and job candidates with autism typically need to undergo more stringent tests and evaluations than most employees. They'll also need extra support to deal with deficits that can be serious obstacles to employment, including: A lack of communication skillsDifficulty handling criticismInflexibilitySocial anxietySensory challengesUnwillingness to collaborate If you start early, you can work with your child's school counselor or agency to determine the best career for your child based on vocation tests, LifeMapping, and aptitude tests. Knowing this information ahead of time will allow you to plan for training, internships, and vocational opportunities. 10 Facts About Autism and Employment Living Arrangements Planning for and creating an ideal living arrangement for your child with autism is a complex and time-consuming process, so again, you'll need to start thinking about it early. This will also ensure that your child's educational program is crafted to support these future living arrangements. Start by asking yourself: Where would my child thrive? Is an urban or suburban environment better? What type of support does she need? While options vary from state to state, living arrangements for adults with autism often include: Living at home with familyHousing unit program/roommateGroup homeDorm-style large facilities Your local school district or state agency is a great place to start when looking for a state-run residential setting for adults with disabilities. You can also consult your local autism support groups or search for independent residential centers by state, region, or county. Autism Speaks offers some things to consider when evaluating living arrangements for a loved one: Health services coordination and medication administrationBehavioral and mental health supportCareer supportCommunity integrationSocial opportunitiesFamily supportRespite care Independent Living Skills Helping your child live a "normal" adult life will mean ensuring that she can get dressed, take a bus to work, go to the movies, meet new friends, etc. These skills can take time to develop. By having your child assessed properly, you can ensure that the following independent living skills are part of their education process: Life skills (using the toilet, dressing, eating)Functional skills (taking a bus, navigating the cafeteria, home repair, responding to a medical emergency)Leisure or recreational skills (going to the library or playing a group sport)Employment or vocational skills (getting to work on time, interacting with coworkers, doing the job)Social or interpersonal skills (greeting people appropriately, handling romantic relationships, interacting with a teacher, boss, or coworker)Technology skills (using a computer or smartphone, purchasing an item online) Independent Living Skills for Teens With Autism Resources and Support While and financial resources are available for families living with autism, they are generally small and very competitive. It's helpful to learn about the supports and programs in your town for people with disabilities. This can include low-cost transportation, meal services, and volunteers willing to help with inclusion in arts programs, sports, or other activities. Many families also turn to their local religious communities for emotional and spiritual support. Encouraging your child to volunteer in the community or stay socially connected to others with autism can also help set the foundation for a positive support system in the future. Autism Grants and Financial Resources A Word From Verywell Adult life with autism looks different for everyone. Your child's challenges may seem limiting now and end up being so, in some ways, in the future. However, there are some people on the spectrum who are fully employed and happily partnered. Many have even become role models for other young adults who seek a full, independent life. These folks, like everyone else, didn't do it on their own. As a parent or caregiver, the best thing you can do is plan ahead and offer your love and support as your young adult with autism finds their way. Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Sign up for our Health Tip of the Day newsletter, and receive daily tips that will help you live your healthiest life. Sign Up You're in! Thank you, {{form.email}}, for signing up. There was an error. Please try again. What are your concerns? Other Inaccurate Hard to Understand Submit Article Sources Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy. Wei X, Wagner M, Hudson L, Yu J, Javitz H. The effect of transition planning participation and goal-setting on college enrollment among youth with autism spectrum disorders. Remedial and Special Education. 2015;37(1):3-14. doi:10.1177/0741932515581495. Autism Speaks. Postsecondary educational opportunities guide. Published 2013. Shattuck PT, Narendorf SC, Cooper B, Sterzing PR, Wagner M, Taylor JL. Postsecondary education and employment among youth with an autism spectrum disorder. Pediatrics. 2012;129(6):1042-9. doi:10.1542/peds.2011-2864 Autism Speaks. Housing and community living. Additional Reading Roux AM, Shattuck PT, Rast JE, Rava JA, et. al. National autism indicators report: Transition into young adulthood. Philadelphia, PA: Life Course Outcomes Research Program, A.J. Drexel Autism Institute, Drexel University, 2015.