Autism after School

There was an inquiry by one of the "poster" on a web site about helping adults with Autism--AND SO MY RANT RAGES ON
An observation I have been making for the past 3 or 4 years is that there is very little if any thing out there
I will post my response rather than repeat what has already been written:

The one suggestion I would give is to contact the Department of Rehabilitation. Don't know what they require or if you would have to do an evaluation I would suppose that your Regional Center might be able to help BUT they too can be difficult to get on board--- UNFORTUNATELY this has been my lament for several years now--- So many of the parents on these web groups are at the beginning of the journey searching for info and support and potential bio medical strategies for their children who are very young --- AND THAT IS NOT TO DISCOUNT THAT --- But what I have been discovering is that there is so much more available to the early years and when school comes to an end its like they fall of the radar! You get to High School and you have done everything in your power to educate and socialize your child and you discover that they are still Autistic and there's very little; close to nothing out there--- Most of the "programs " out there after school are "warehousing" situations for young adults with all disabilities.There are a few junior college opportunities but no support like you have in lower education K-12.We all hope and pray that our diligence over their formative years will "rescue" them from an adult life of disability but in my particular case I am finding now that I should have focused much more on what comes after school . As they say hindsight is 20/20. Once they leave the High School campus there is no Special Ed Stater Bros. Market; there is no Special Ed Del Taco; there is no Special Ed AM/PM gas station or there is no Special Ed library for that matter--- My point is the community is not informed nor equipped to readily accept our kids without some type of recognition or accommodation. They become adults with very little visual indication that there is anything different with them. This is a challenge for us to find appropriate vocations and social situations. They are in a no-mans land of either typical or disabled and they really do not fit in either . Again just my observation and opinion.

I think this is why we do have adults out there that are older and not recognized or diagnosed. Years ago they just didn't make the distinction of a child who had a hard time socializing or learning -- they would just say that they were "slow" or did not "get it" and they were pushed thru our educational system and POOF they all of a sudden had to go out in the world and learn to deal with it--- I believe that there has to be thousands out there who are in this situation AND IT SUCKS. I truly believe that you can find help but you have to dig. Its not easy,and without a diagnosis it will be even harder for someone who is older and just discovering that they could use some support--

I know this is one of my worn out rants but it has become a bigger reality as the years go on and perhaps why I have this dream of a "Center for Autism" that embraces all facets of life --living with Autism. It should a YMCA of sorts encompassing vocational and social training but also helping siblings parents and professionals learn how to support those who live with Autism.
More on the center in future posts
For now I continue to look for alternatives for or children as they grow into adults!