Most people in the United States know that Autism is on the rise, yet many people do not know the whole picture of Autism in United States. Autism is a spectrum disorder, which means that someone can have a severe version of this disorder and another can have a milder version of the same disorder ("Autism."). With that definition of Autism, there many people in the United States affected by someone who has some form of Autism. There are so many children diagnosed with Autism a year, yet many people forget that these children do not outgrow their Autism, so there is population of adults with Autism that needs more awareness and programs.
Autism is a spectrum disorder that effects a child's communication, social interactions, play, and behavior either severely or mildly ("Autism."). Classic Autism is what most people think of when someone says something about Autism ("Autism."). Asperger's Syndrome is high functioning autism ("Autism."); most people call these people "the quirky people". Pervasive Developmental Disorder Not Otherwise Specified is someone on the autism spectrum but barely; they are more likely to be high functioning as well ("Autism."). These three types of Autism are the most common diagnosed, but each of them has their own challenges in society nowadays.
According to "What Happens When They Grow Up; Teenagers and young adults are the emerging face of autism as the disorder continues to challenge science and unite determined families.", shows that when a child is diagnosed with Autism it effects the whole nuclear family. Those effects do not disappear after the person diagnosed with Autism is in their teenage years and twenties; some of those effects will be problems for rest of their lives. There are 500,000 Americans under 21 years old with some type of autism, and most of them are males (Kantrowitz, Barbara, and Julie Scelfo). While "What Happens When They Grow Up; Teenagers and young adults are the emerging face of autism as the disorder continues to challenge science and unite determined families." shows the effects of the new generation of young adults with autism, "Study suggests more services needed for young adults." suggest that there is not enough service for a young adult with autism. Only 35 percent of young adults with autism will attend college, and only 55 percent of young adults with autism will employed after six years out of high school ("Study suggests more services needed for young adults.").
If that 35 percent of young adults with autism will attend college ("Study suggests more services needed for young adults."), they are 34.3 percent more likely to go into the Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics majors ("Youth with autism gravitate toward STEM majors in college"). To become part of that 35 percent of young adults with autism who actually make it to college, is determined by gender, family income, and communication with others ("Youth with autism gravitate toward STEM majors in college"). Even though that 35 percent of young adults with autism are in college, one of the hardest things these young adults have to deal with is communication with others. But if these young adult are able to pay for school, communicate well enough with others and succeeded in college, they are able to become contributive members of society ("Youth with autism gravitate toward STEM majors in college").
The fact that only 35 percent of young adults with autism make it to college says that there is a need for more resources for young adults with autism to become successful. Of course part of the additional resources for young adults with autism is having resources for them to learn to communicate well with others. That 35 percentage should be at least 50 percent to make sure that these young adults know the skills that they need to be successful in society. At least if there is a 50 percent rate of young adults with autism who make it to college, that would means that 1 out of 2 young adults are more successful in society instead of 1 out of 3 now. There are not enough resources for young adults with autism definitely once that young adult is out of the public educational system.
According to "University's program puts autistic students on path to independence", there is a program to make sure that autistic students become individuals that do not need the support of family for the rest of their lives. The Asperger's Initiative at Mercyhurst is a program that helps autistic students successfully live on campus with support but not make them feel dependent on others to help them ("University's program puts autistic"). This program not only teaches autistic students to successfully live on their own; it makes the students learn the social skills that many autistic students lack ("University's program puts autistic"). If there were more universities with programs like this one throughout the United States, there would be more autistic young adults living on their own.
There are not enough of these programs throughout the United States because if there were more of these programs more autistic students would be successful in college. If more colleges had programs similar to The Asperger's Initiative at Mercyhurst, there would be autistic students independent from their families. With more programs like The Asperger's Initiative at Mercyhurst, the autistic students would not only learn the skills to live on their own as well as the skills to make friends. Many autistic students have a hard time connecting to others, which makes making friends hard. More autistic students would be more successful on their own if there were more programs like The Asperger's Initiative at Mercyhurst.
Once an autistic student outgrows the public educational system there is only one option for many of them, vocational schools. According to "Do vocational programs help autistic young adults?", many people do not know how to help autistic students reach their full potential. Some people think that sending an autistic young adult to vocational school after high school is the only solution ("Do vocational programs"). If autistic young adults go to vocational school after high school, they learn skills to be successful in the workforce ("Do vocational programs").
Vocational school only can teach autistic young adults the skills to a job. By sending an autistic young adult to vocational school, they in turn get stuck in one job field for rest of their lives. Vocational school may allow these young adults to be able to make their own money, but they do not have the social skills to function in society.
In the ideal solution for more resources for young adults with autism would include life skills and social skills help. By setting these autistic teenagers, young adults, and adults up for success, they are able to be part of society instead of outcasts. Communication skills should also be a part of education for students with autism, making it easier for these people to communicate their needs with others. All these skills are important to turn autistic children into successful independent autistic adults.
There is enough public awareness for everyone who has Autism in the United States. There is no need for more programs for teenagers and young adults with autism because there are plenty of programs for people with autism. Many people believe that if these young adults and adults with autism cannot handle society in United States; it is okay to let them slip through the cracks. These people do not believe there is a need for support for people with autism because they should be able function in society with no awareness and programs. Some of these people believe that if an autistic person is pushed enough that they will outgrow their autism.
Hopefully in the next couple of years there will be more support for teenagers, young adults, and adults with Autism. With the rise of Autism in children throughout the United States, that means they will be a rise in teenagers and adults with autism in the workforce. As Autism rises in the United States, the hardest part will be seeing teenagers, young adults, and adults with autism making others aware of the issues of awareness in society. The verbal autistic and non-autistic teenagers, young adults, and adults must stand up for the people who do not have a voice in society on these issues.
Sources:
"Autism." The Gale Encyclopedia of Genetic Disorders. Ed. Stacey L. Blachford. Detroit: Gale, 2011. Opposing Viewpoints In Context. Web. 10 July 2013.
"Do vocational programs help autistic young adults?" CNN Wire 28 Aug. 2012.Opposing Viewpoints In Context. Web. 10 July 2013.
Kantrowitz, Barbara, and Julie Scelfo. "What Happens When They Grow Up; Teenagers and young adults are the emerging face of autism as the disorder continues to challenge science and unite determined families." Newsweek 27 Nov. 2006: 46. Opposing Viewpoints In Context. Web. 10 July 2013.
"Study suggests more services needed for young adults." America 4 June 2012: 6+.Opposing Viewpoints In Context. Web. 10 July 2013.
"University's program puts autistic students on path to independence." Pittsburgh Tribune-Review [Pittsburgh, PA] 29 Jan. 2012. Opposing Viewpoints In Context. Web. 10 July 2013.
"Youth with autism gravitate toward STEM majors in college -- if they get there."Mental Health Weekly Digest 26 Nov. 2012: 218. Opposing Viewpoints In Context. Web. 10 July 2013.
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