In the United States, navigating the transition from adolescence to adulthood can be particularly challenging for autistic individuals and their families. The transition is marked by a significant reduction in services and support, often leaving parents and caregivers struggling to manage healthcare and financial matters. Without guardianship or an active power of attorney for healthcare, medical professionals cannot discuss an adult's medical situation with parents or caregivers, exacerbating the difficulties faced during this critical period. Meanwhile, Lakeland STAR is taking steps to address these gaps by developing a transitions center set to open in the fall of 2022, aimed at supporting autistic individuals through this challenging phase.
An Individualized Educational Program (IEP) plays a crucial role in the development of children with autism within the public school system. This legally binding document outlines the child's needs and designs an educational program to meet those needs effectively. Despite having an IEP, only 17% of autistic students who graduate from high school go on to attend a four-year university. According to a CDC survey, autistic students are also less likely to receive transition planning compared to their peers with other emotional or behavioral conditions. This lack of preparation leaves many autistic individuals without the essential skills needed for adulthood.
Research conducted in 2017 revealed that approximately 38% of autistic adults are unemployed. This statistic highlights the challenges faced by autistic individuals when transitioning into the workforce. Parents in the U.S. who support an autistic child with significant verbal communication challenges may consider guardianship as an option. Guardianship allows parents some oversight in their child's decision-making after they turn 18. However, for many autistic adults, an active power of attorney for healthcare and finances provides adequate oversight while maintaining their individuality and decision-making abilities.
Transition programs aim to support autistic individuals during this pivotal time, but they may not cover all the gaps in services that appear once a child reaches adulthood. As such, community-based organizations are stepping up to fill these gaps. Lakeland STAR is one such organization, developing a transitions center that focuses on education around independent living skills, job skills training, and related services. This center aims to equip autistic individuals with the necessary tools to navigate adulthood more successfully.
Autistic individuals often face challenges with healthcare as they reach adulthood. Parents and caregivers frequently struggle with navigating finances and healthcare due to the sudden shift in responsibilities and lack of communication permitted by medical professionals without proper legal arrangements. The transitions center developed by Lakeland STAR aims to address these challenges by providing comprehensive education and support for autistic individuals as they transition into adulthood.
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