This is the 2nd of the 3 posts on Autism Disorder Awareness.

Read the first post of this short series here

In my last post, I tried to draw some inference that how early intervention can alter the life of a child who shows symptoms of Autism Spectrum Disorder, today in this post I will try to mention a few important aspects of the transition of a child into adulthood and what could be the possible problems faced by the individuals.

In most of the cases, it is certainly unusual for people with autism disorder to have reached adulthood without a diagnosis, as the symptoms are hard to ignore. Still, untimely preventative measures and medical interventions make the journey little longer and challenging for some individuals.

Adulthood and Autism Disorder

The transition from childhood to adolescence to adulthood can create excitement as well as nervousness in individuals with autism, only proper parental support, and advanced preparation can make them comfortable to handle the situation.

Although ASD cannot be cured, appropriate intervention and support can help people to develop skills and coping strategies. Social skills training can assist people on the autism spectrum in understanding how to read the different expectations of social situations.  below are a few transitional stages in an adults life and the problems faced by them as they are in the process:

” Adults with Autism were once children with autism. They too need, acceptance, understanding, and awareness”

Problems faced at High School

• Inadequately trained teachers and support staffs.
• An easy target for bullying by seniors or classmates.
• The different environment from home, inconsistent teachers, and different rules and timing also created frustration in the individual

Transition at College

• Special Colleges designed for persons with autism and other disabilities.
• Familiarising with the campus and searching for a nearby campus.
• Understanding the child’s ability for autonomy

Problems faced in Job Market

• Lack of social interaction
• Inadequate language development
• Uncomfortable in a crowd of skilled people

Suggested Suitable Jobs where Autism has been a proven asset for the autistic adults

• Scientists
• Creative works
• Musician
• Painter

Jobs not suitable for autistic adults

• Teaching
• Hospitality
• Sales and Marketing

Let us have a look at the inspirational people with Autism from the history

Albert Einstein –  Scientist & Mathematician

Albert Einstein a great scientist and a mathematician had trouble socializing, especially as an adult. As a child, he experienced severe speech delays and later echolalia, or the habit of repeating sentences to himself.

He was technically incredible and yet some facts about his personality traits have led many experts to conclude that he appeared somewhere on the autism spectrum. Charles Darwin – Naturalist, Geologist, and Biologist

Charles Darwin – Naturalist, Geologist, and Biologist

Who doesn’t know about the very famous Darwin’s theory of biological evolution developed by the English naturalist Charles Darwin? Records suggest that Darwin’s childhood state he was a very quiet and isolated child, avoided interaction with others as much as he could.

Like so many others with Asperger’s Syndrome ( a developmental disorder), he sought alternative ways of communicating, such as writing letters. He had fixations with certain topics like chemistry but was a very visual thinker — all traits of someone on the autism spectrum.

Bill Gates – Co-founder of the Microsoft Corporation

One of the richest Man! Can he be autistic? but the evidence that Bill Gates may be autistic is quite persuasive.

It has never been confirmed that Gates falls on the autism spectrum, but those who seem to think, he cites things like the distinct rocking motion, Gates displays when he concentrates, his shortened and monotoned speech patterns, and his habits of avoiding eye contact on the rare occasion he speaks directly with someone else, which are all common characters of those on the spectrum.

Sir Isaac Newton – Mathematician, Astronomer, & Physicist

Researchers at Cambridge University, suggests that Isaac Newton had Asperger’s Syndrome on the spectrum. The researchers, who also argue that Albert Einstein was autistic, mention in their article evidence that Newton isolated himself as much as possible.

It is said that he was not a social person at all and relied strongly upon routines and there are a number of reports that suggest that he was often so focused on his work, that he went for days at a time without eating or sleeping.

Bobby Fischer – Chess Grandmaster

Bobby Fischer, the chess grandmaster, and World Chess Champion is said to have had Asperger’s Syndrome in addition to paranoid schizophrenia and Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder.

He was known to be extremely intense and lacked social abilities. His extreme focus on chess is another sign, as his track record for not being able to cope in an unstructured environment.

Early interventions can change a life.

Reference: From the doctor’s desk of Child Neurology Division, AIIMS, Delhi and Applied Behaviour Analysis

Much love and gratitude

Priyanka

Sanity Daily